Devine Scripture

John 5:9

What does John 5:9 mean?

A plain-English look at John 5:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 5:9 means

Instantly the man is made whole, takes up his bed, and walks. The completeness and immediacy of the cure prove the sufficiency of Jesus’ word. The detail that it was the Sabbath explains the conflict to come: grace collides with rigid regulations. Carrying the mat is not mere symbolism; it is obedient testimony that the long sickness is over. The verse invites readers to see the joy of restoration and the blindness of those who will miss it for the sake of rules. Jesus’ timing is deliberate, revealing that mercy is never out of season with God, even when it offends human traditions or misunderstandings of Sabbath rest.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked. Now it was the sabbath on that day.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked. Now it was the sabbath on that day.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the man became well straight away, and took up his bed and went. Now that day was the Sabbath.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and immediately the man became whole, and he took up his couch, and was walking, and it was a sabbath on that day,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And immediately the man was made whole: and he took up his bed and walked. And it was the sabbath that day.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And immediately the man became well, and took up his couch and walked: and on that day was sabbath.

Context

Jesus’ command (verse 8) is vindicated by immediate healing. John notes the Sabbath to prepare for the leaders’ objection in verse 10. The miracle, though personal, becomes public evidence that stirs controversy, leading to interrogation (verses 10–12) and the healed man’s inability to identify Jesus at first (verse 13). Later, Jesus finds him again (verse 14), prompting the man to report Jesus’ identity (verse 15). This chain of events escalates to persecution of Jesus for Sabbath actions (verse 16) and then to His defense, which asserts divine sonship and authority (verses 17–30). The Sabbath note is key to the chapter’s theological debate.

v.8Jesus saith unto him, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk.

v.9This passage

v.10So the Jews said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 10:52

    And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And straightway he received his sight, and followed him in the way.

  • Luke 13:10

    And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day.

  • John 9:14

    Now it was the sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

  • Mark 5:41

    And taking the child by the hand, he saith unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, Arise.

  • Matthew 12:10

    and behold, a man having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? that they might accuse him.

  • Mark 5:29

    And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her plague.

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