Devine Scripture

John 5:16

What does John 5:16 mean?

A plain-English look at John 5:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 5:16 means

Because Jesus did these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted Him. Their hostility hardens from questioning to active opposition. The issue is no longer simply the healed man’s conduct but Jesus’ pattern—“these things”—of Sabbath activity that exposes their narrow readings. Jesus’ mercy, far from violating God’s rest, reveals its true purpose. Yet the leaders see His actions as a threat to their authority and interpretations. This persecution sets the context for Jesus to explain His continual work in unity with the Father. The conflict is not an unfortunate accident; it is the setting in which Jesus makes His divine identity and mission unmistakably clear.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And for this reason the Jews were turned against Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and because of this were the Jews persecuting Jesus, and seeking to kill him, because these things he was doing on a sabbath.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And for this the Jews persecuted Jesus [and sought to kill him], because he had done these things on sabbath.

Context

After learning Jesus’ identity (verse 15), the Jewish leaders begin persecuting Him because of His Sabbath actions (verse 16). This escalation leads directly to Jesus’ defense in verse 17 and the explosive charge in verse 18 that He makes Himself equal with God. The opposition thus triggers the central discourse of the chapter (verses 19–47), where Jesus explains the Son’s dependence on and unity with the Father, His authority to give life and judge, and the multiple witnesses validating His claims. The shift from healing narrative to theological confrontation is complete, with Sabbath controversy as the doorway to deeper revelation.

v.15The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole.

v.16This passage

v.17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work.

Cross references

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

  • John 15:20

    Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.

  • Luke 6:11

    But they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

  • John 5:13

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

  • Mark 3:6

    And the Pharisees went out, and straightway with the Herodians took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.

  • Matthew 12:13

    Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, as the other.

  • John 7:19

    Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you doeth the law? Why seek ye to kill me?

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