John 5:11
He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
He answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
He answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 15
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποιήσας
He that made
G4160
ποιήσας
He that made
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
4 of 15
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ὑγιῆ
whole
G5199
ὑγιῆ
whole
Strong's:
G5199
Word #:
6 of 15
healthy, i.e., well (in body); figuratively, true (in doctrine)
ἐκεῖνός
the same
G1565
ἐκεῖνός
the same
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
7 of 15
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
Ἆρον
Take up
G142
Ἆρον
Take up
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
10 of 15
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Jewish tradition prohibited carrying burdens on the Sabbath (Jeremiah 17:21-22). The Pharisees expanded this to include even a mat. The healed man's defense appeals to Jesus' authority as the one who effected the miracle.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we navigate tension between Christ's commands and human religious traditions?
- What does this man's answer reveal about the relationship between experiencing Christ's power and submitting to His authority?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The healed man's answer 'He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk' shifts responsibility to Jesus while acknowledging His authority to heal. His obedience to Jesus' command despite Sabbath prohibition shows prioritizing the Healer's word over religious tradition. Christ's authority supersedes ceremonial law.