John 5
The Message
Even on the Sabbath
5 1-6 Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, “Do you want to get well?”
7 The sick man said, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.”
8-9 Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off.
9-10 That day happened to be the Sabbath. The Jews stopped the healed man and said, “It’s the Sabbath. You can’t carry your bedroll around. It’s against the rules.”
11 But he told them, “The man who made me well told me to. He said, ‘Take your bedroll and start walking.’”
12-13 They asked, “Who gave you the order to take it up and start walking?” But the healed man didn’t know, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd.
14 A little later Jesus found him in the Temple and said, “You look wonderful! You’re well! Don’t return to a sinning life or something worse might happen.”
15-16 The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. That is why the Jews were out to get Jesus—because he did this kind of thing on the Sabbath.
17 But Jesus defended himself. “My Father is working straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I.”
18 That really set them off. The Jews were now not only out to expose him; they were out to kill him. Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was calling God his own Father, putting himself on a level with God.
What the Father Does, the Son Does
19-20 So Jesus explained himself at length. “I’m telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does. The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.
20-23 “But you haven’t seen the half of it yet, for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses. Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out. The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son so that the Son will be honored equally with the Father. Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father, for it was the Father’s decision to put the Son in the place of honor.
24 “It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.
25-27 “It’s urgent that you get this right: The time has arrived—I mean right now!—when dead men and women will hear the voice of the Son of God and, hearing, will come alive. Just as the Father has life in himself, he has conferred on the Son life in himself. And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment.
28-29 “Don’t act so surprised at all this. The time is coming when everyone dead and buried will hear his voice. Those who have lived the right way will walk out into a resurrection Life; those who have lived the wrong way, into a resurrection Judgment.
30-33 “I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide. You can trust my decision because I’m not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders. If I were simply speaking on my own account, it would be an empty, self-serving witness. But an independent witness confirms me, the most reliable Witness of all. Furthermore, you all saw and heard John, and he gave expert and reliable testimony about me, didn’t he?
34-38 “But my purpose is not to get your vote, and not to appeal to mere human testimony. I’m speaking to you this way so that you will be saved. John was a torch, blazing and bright, and you were glad enough to dance for an hour or so in his bright light. But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John’s witness. It’s the work the Father gave me to complete. These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me. The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance. There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously.
* * *
39-40 “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.
41-44 “I’m not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda. I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms. How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?
45-47 “But don’t think I’m going to accuse you before my Father. Moses, in whom you put so much stock, is your accuser. If you believed, really believed, what Moses said, you would believe me. He wrote of me. If you won’t take seriously what he wrote, how can I expect you to take seriously what I speak?”
Juan 5
La Palabra (Hispanoamérica)
Tercer signo (5,1-47)
El paralítico de Betzata
5 Después de esto, Jesús subió a Jerusalén con motivo de una fiesta judía. 2 Hay en Jerusalén, cerca de la puerta llamada de las Ovejas, un estanque conocido con el nombre hebreo de Betzata, que tiene cinco soportales. 3 En estos soportales había una multitud de enfermos recostados en el suelo: ciegos, cojos y paralíticos. 5 Había entre ellos un hombre que llevaba enfermo treinta y ocho años. 6 Jesús, al verlo allí tendido y sabiendo que llevaba tanto tiempo, le preguntó:
— ¿Quieres curarte?
7 El enfermo le contestó:
— Señor, no tengo a nadie que me meta en el estanque una vez que el agua ha sido agitada. Cuando llego, ya otro se me ha adelantado.
8 Entonces Jesús le ordenó:
— Levántate, recoge tu camilla y vete.
9 En aquel mismo instante, el enfermo quedó curado, recogió su camilla y comenzó a andar. Pero aquel día era sábado. 10 Así que los judíos dijeron al que había sido curado:
— Hoy es sábado y está prohibido que cargues con tu camilla.
11 Él respondió:
— El que me curó me dijo que recogiera mi camilla y me fuera.
12 Ellos le preguntaron:
— ¿Quién es ese hombre que te dijo que recogieras tu camilla y te fueras?
13 Pero el que había sido curado no lo sabía, pues Jesús había desaparecido entre la muchedumbre allí reunida.
14 Poco después, Jesús se encontró con él en el Templo y le dijo:
— Ya ves que has sido curado; no vuelvas a pecar para que no te suceda algo peor.
15 Se marchó aquel hombre e hizo saber a los judíos que era Jesús quien lo había curado. 16 Y como Jesús no se privaba de hacer tales cosas en sábado, los judíos no dejaban de perseguirlo. 17 Pero él les replicaba diciendo:
— Mi Padre no cesa nunca de trabajar, y lo mismo hago yo.
18 Esta afirmación provocó en los judíos un mayor deseo de matarlo, porque no sólo no respetaba el sábado, sino que además decía que Dios era su propio Padre, haciéndose así igual a Dios.
La autoridad del Hijo
19 Jesús, entonces, se dirigió a ellos diciendo:
— Yo les aseguro que el Hijo no puede hacer nada por su propia cuenta; él hace únicamente lo que ve hacer al Padre. Lo que hace el Padre, eso hace también el Hijo. 20 Pues el Padre ama al Hijo y le hace partícipe de todas sus obras. Y le hará partícipe de cosas mayores todavía, de modo que ustedes mismos quedarán maravillados. 21 Porque así como el Padre resucita a los muertos, dándoles vida, así también el Hijo da vida a los que quiere.
22 El Padre no juzga a nadie; todo el poder de juzgar se lo ha dado al Hijo. 23 Y quiere que todos den al Hijo el mismo honor que dan al Padre. El que no honra al Hijo, tampoco honra al Padre que lo ha enviado. 24 Yo les aseguro que el que acepta mi palabra y cree en el que me ha enviado, tiene vida eterna; no será condenado, sino que ha pasado ya de la muerte a la vida.
25 Les aseguro que está llegando el momento, mejor dicho, ha llegado ya, en que los muertos oirán la voz del Hijo de Dios, y los que la oigan volverán a la vida. 26 Pues lo mismo que el Padre tiene la vida en sí mismo, también le concedió al Hijo el tenerla, 27 y le dio autoridad para juzgar, porque es el Hijo del hombre. 28 No se admiren ustedes de lo que estoy diciendo, porque llegará el momento en que todos los muertos oirán su voz 29 y saldrán de las tumbas. Los que hicieron el bien, para una resurrección de vida; los que obraron el mal, para una resurrección de condena.
Testigos a favor de Jesús
30 Yo no puedo hacer nada por mi propia cuenta. Conforme el Padre me dicta, así juzgo. Mi juicio es justo, porque no pretendo actuar según mis deseos, sino según los deseos del que me ha enviado. 31 Si me presentara como testigo de mí mismo, mi testimonio carecería de valor. 32 Es otro el que testifica a mi favor, y yo sé que su testimonio a mi favor es plenamente válido.
33 Ustedes mismos enviaron una comisión a preguntar a Juan, y él dio testimonio a favor de la verdad. 34 Y no es que yo tenga necesidad de testimonios humanos; si digo esto, es para que ustedes puedan salvarse. 35 Juan el Bautista era como una lámpara encendida que alumbraba; y ustedes estuvieron dispuestos a alegrarse por breve tiempo con su luz. 36 Pero yo tengo a mi favor un testimonio de mayor valor que el de Juan: las obras que el Padre me encargó llevar a feliz término, y que yo ahora realizo, son las que dan testimonio a mi favor de que el Padre me ha enviado.
37 También habla a mi favor el Padre que me envió, aunque ustedes nunca han oído su voz ni han visto su rostro. 38 No han acogido su palabra como lo prueba el hecho de que no han creído a su enviado. 39 Ustedes estudian las Escrituras pensando que contienen vida eterna; pues bien, precisamente las Escrituras dan testimonio a mi favor. 40 A pesar de ello, ustedes no quieren aceptarme para obtener esa vida.
41 Yo no busco honores humanos. 42 Además, los conozco muy bien y sé que no aman a Dios. 43 Yo he venido de parte de mi Padre, pero ustedes no me aceptan; en cambio, aceptarían a cualquier otro que viniera en nombre propio. 44 ¿Cómo van a creer, si sólo se preocupan de recibir honores los unos de los otros y no se interesan por el verdadero honor, que viene del Dios único? 45 Por lo demás, no piensen que voy a ser yo quien les acuse ante mi Padre; les acusará Moisés, el mismo Moisés en quien ustedes tienen puesta su esperanza. 46 Él escribió acerca de mí; por eso, si creyeran a Moisés, también me creerían a mí. 47 Pero si no creen lo que él escribió, ¿cómo van a creer lo que yo digo?
John 5
King James Version
5 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
41 I receive not honour from men.
42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
La Palabra, (versión hispanoamericana) © 2010 Texto y Edición, Sociedad Bíblica de España