John 5:11
What does John 5:11 mean?
A plain-English look at John 5:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 5:11 means
The healed man answers simply: the authority to carry his bed came from the One who made him whole. He reasons that the Healer’s command interprets what obedience looks like now. His reply shows trust in the benefactor he cannot yet name. This is sensible faith: if Jesus had power to cure, He has wisdom to direct. The man’s statement, though not a full confession, points to the right question—who is this One whose word restores and commands? The man deflects blame by appealing to the Healer’s authority, shifting attention from the act to the Actor, where John wants our focus to settle.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But he answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But he answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He said to them, But he who made me well, said to me, Take up your bed and go.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He answered them, `He who made me whole--that one said to me, Take up thy couch, and be walking;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He answered them: He that made me whole, he said to me: Take up thy bed and walk.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He answered them, He that made me well, he said to me, Take up thy couch and walk.
Context
Challenged for carrying his bed (verse 10), the man explains that he is following the instructions of the One who healed him. This provokes the leaders to ask for the Healer’s identity (verse 12). The exchange further transfers the narrative focus from the beneficiary to Jesus Himself. Because Jesus had withdrawn in the crowd (verse 13), the man cannot initially satisfy their demand. This sets up Jesus’ later encounter with him in the temple (verse 14), after which the man reports Jesus’ name (verse 15). The identification triggers direct persecution of Jesus (verse 16) and provides the pretext for His profound self-disclosure (verses 17–30).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 2:9
Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
- John 9:16
Some therefore of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath. But others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such signs? And there was a division among them.
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