John 5:15
What does John 5:15 mean?
A plain-English look at John 5:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 5:15 means
The man goes and tells the Jews that it was Jesus who made him whole. Whatever his motives—gratitude, duty, or fear—his report publicly names the Healer. He becomes a witness to Jesus’ work, even if an imperfect one. The emphasis falls on Jesus’ identity, not on the man’s understanding. His simple testimony contributes to the unfolding conflict. Healing leads to confession of the Healer’s name, which inevitably draws attention and division. In God’s providence, the man’s words open the door for Jesus to speak plainly about His relationship to the Father. The sign is thus not an end in itself but a spark for revelation and confrontation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The man went away and said to the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The man went away, and told the Jews that it is Jesus who made him whole,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The man went his way and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
Context
Following Jesus’ warning in the temple (verse 14), the healed man informs the Jewish leaders that Jesus was the one who healed him. This identification resolves the earlier tension (verses 12–13) and immediately provokes persecution against Jesus (verse 16). The narrative now pivots from the man’s story to a sustained dispute between Jesus and the leaders about Sabbath, sonship, and divine authority (verses 17–30). The man’s testimony functions as the bridge that moves the story from sign to sermon, from private healing to public controversy, where Jesus will assert equality with God and appeal to multiple witnesses to validate His claims (verses 31–47).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 9:25
He therefore answered, Whether he is a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
- John 1:19
And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou?
- John 4:29
Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ?
- Mark 1:45
But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to spread abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
- John 9:11
He answered, The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to Siloam, and wash: so I went away and washed, and I received sight.
- John 9:15
Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. And he said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and I see.
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