At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,

Morris points out that, “This healing differs from many others in that, not only is there no mention of faith on the part of the man, but there seems no room for it.  The man did not even know Jesus’ name (v. 7).  Moreover right up till Jesus uttered the critical words his thoughts were centered on healing through getting into the pool.” (p. 304) Although healing is usually dependent upon man’s faith in the Bible, it is not always necessary.  Jesus is not limited by man in doing the works of God. 

Why did Jesus pick this particular man out of the crowd of so many others in need of healing?  What do you think was different about him?

  1. Maybe it was because he did not know Jesus and therefore did not have any faith in His healing power.  This would increase our revelation into the nature of a truly awesome God Who is totally in charge of all things, even our healings.
  2. Or maybe it was because of the great length of time in which he had been suffering in this condition.  If this were the case, what would it tell us about Jesus?  It would show us His compassion for us when we suffer long in bad conditions.

The man was healed immediately and then took up his mat and obeyed Jesus.  The fact that he picked up his bed and walked verified that he was healed.  This applies in a much broader sense, also.  Matthew Henry states, “The proof of spiritual cure, is our rising and walking.”  What is “spiritual cure” and how do we rise and walk after receiving it?

There was apparently nothing critical about the man’s illness which would require a healing on the Sabbath and yet this is the day on which Jesus chose to heal him.  The Sabbath regulations did not inhibit the actions of Jesus and He may have chosen this day on which to heal for the specific reason of making the issues clear as to what a Sabbath really is, its purpose, and His divine claims.

“On the human level, what Jesus did that day, and what He said that day, cost Him His life.  They never forgave Him.” (Morgan qt’d in Morris p. 299)