John 5:1
What does John 5:1 mean?
A plain-English look at John 5:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 5:1 means
This verse sets the stage: Jesus goes to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. He keeps the appointed times, showing His faithfulness to the Law and His heart to meet people where they gather. The setting matters, because His next act will be public and unignorable. The Lord does not hide His light. By going up to Jerusalem, He steps directly into the center of Israel’s worship and authority structures. There, amid crowds and ritual, He will reveal God’s mercy and confront rigid interpretations of Sabbath. The movement toward the city anticipates both healing grace and the rising opposition that His words and works will stir.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
KJV
King James Version · 1611After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752After these things was a festival day of the Jews: and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890After these things was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Context
After ministry in other regions, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for a feast. The chapter shifts from Galilean scenes to the capital, where scrutiny is intense. This opening verse prepares readers for a sign performed in a crowded, sacred space. What follows is the Pool of Bethesda account (verses 2–9), then conflict with the Jewish leaders (verses 10–18), leading to Jesus’ extended discourse on His unity with the Father and divine authority (verses 19–47). This initial note anchors the narrative during a festival, explaining the large crowds and the religious stakes of a Sabbath-day healing.
v.1This passage
v.2Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheepgatea pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 23:14
Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
- John 2:13
And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
- Exodus 34:23
Three times in the year shall all thy males appear before the Lord Jehovah, the God of Israel.
- Leviticus 23:2
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, The set feasts of Jehovah, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my set feasts.
- Deuteronomy 16:16
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before Jehovah thy God in the place which he shall choose: in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before Jehovah empty:
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