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

JOHN 5:9KJV
Know the Bible

John 5:9 (KJV)

What does John 5:9 mean?

John 5:9 describes how, right after Jesus spoke to him, a man who had been disabled for many years was instantly healed, picked up his sleeping mat, and began to walk. This happened on the Sabbath day, which was a day of rest in Jewish tradition.

In this verse, the Gospel writer is telling the story of Jesus healing a man at the pool of Bethesda. The verse highlights both the suddenness of the man’s recovery and the fact that this miracle took place on the Sabbath, a detail that will become important in the following verses as it leads to controversy with the Jewish leaders. The focus is on the completeness of the healing and the immediate change in the man’s life.

Where else these words appear

“bed” Greek G2895 · used in 12 verses

  • Mark 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
  • Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
  • John 5:11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

“whole” Greek G5199 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
  • Luke 6:10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
  • 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.

“sabbath” Greek G4521 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
  • Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
  • John 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

“immediately” Greek G2112 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
  • Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
  • Mark 14:43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.