John 5:14
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.
Original Language Analysis
μετὰ
Afterward
G3326
μετὰ
Afterward
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 23
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 #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερῷ
the temple
G2411
ἱερῷ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
9 of 23
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 23
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
Ἴδε
G1492
Ἴδε
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
13 of 23
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὑγιὴς
whole
G5199
ὑγιὴς
whole
Strong's:
G5199
Word #:
14 of 23
healthy, i.e., well (in body); figuratively, true (in doctrine)
γένηται
come
G1096
γένηται
come
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
15 of 23
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἁμάρτανε
sin
G264
ἁμάρτανε
sin
Strong's:
G264
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
19 of 23
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
Cross References
John 8:11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.Psalms 118:18The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.Nehemiah 9:28But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;Matthew 12:45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.Leviticus 26:27And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me;Isaiah 38:20The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.Psalms 27:6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.Mark 2:5When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.John 5:5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.2 Chronicles 28:22And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.
Historical Context
The man's presence in the temple suggests gratitude—he went to worship. Jesus' warning indicates awareness of the man's history. While not all illness is directly caused by sin, persistent sin can have physical consequences (1 Corinthians 11:30). More importantly, physical healing without spiritual transformation misses the greater need.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the relationship between physical healing and spiritual transformation?
- What 'worse thing' might come to those who experience God's mercy without repentance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus finds the man in the temple and warns: 'Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.' This connects sin and suffering (though not always causally—see John 9:3) and warns against returning to former ways. Physical healing should lead to spiritual transformation. The 'worse thing' may be final judgment—physical healing matters little if the soul remains sick. Jesus cares for whole persons.