Devine Scripture

John 5:13

What does John 5:13 mean?

A plain-English look at John 5:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 5:13 means

The healed man cannot name Jesus because He had withdrawn amid the crowd. This shows Jesus’ modesty and timing. He does not court applause or controversy before the right moment. The anonymity also prevents the man from becoming a tool of the leaders before he has truly met Jesus. The crowd explains how Jesus could both publicly heal and privately slip away. This verse underscores that the miracle was real and witnessed, yet the identity of the Healer remains temporarily concealed, inviting further pursuit. Grace found the man unasked; still, Jesus will seek him again to address deeper needs than physical health.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But he that was healed knew not who it was; for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the place.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But he that was healed knew not who it was; for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the place.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now he who had been made well had no knowledge who it was, Jesus having gone away because of the number of people who were in that place.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

But he that was healed had not known who he is, for Jesus did move away, a multitude being in the place.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he who was healed knew not who it was: for Jesus went aside from the multitude standing in the place.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he that had been healed knew not who it was, for Jesus had slidden away, there being a crowd in the place.

Context

The leaders demand to know the Healer (verse 12), but the man cannot answer because Jesus had withdrawn in the crowded place. This keeps the focus on the unfolding narrative rather than ending it abruptly. The next movement is Jesus’ intentional re-encounter with the man in the temple (verse 14), which brings spiritual instruction and a warning. After that, the man reports Jesus’ name to the leaders (verse 15), triggering overt persecution (verse 16). The concealed identity thus creates narrative tension and allows Jesus to control the timing and terms under which He will reveal His relationship to the Father (verses 17–30).

v.12They asked him, Who is the man that said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

v.13This passage

v.14Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 4:30

    But he passing through the midst of them went his way.

  • John 8:59

    They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

  • John 14:9

    Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father?

  • Luke 24:31

    And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

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