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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - John 5:9 - 5:9
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9–16. THE SEQUEL OF THE SIGN
ἦν δὲ σάββατον. Now on that day was a Sabbath. This is the text for what follows. Jesus had proclaimed Himself Lord of the Temple (see on Joh 2:17); He now proclaims Himself Lord of the Sabbath. This is a new departure: ritual must give way to love. The fourth commandment was the favourite sphere of Jewish religiousness. By ostentatious rigour in enforcing it the Pharisees exhibited their zeal for the Law. Here, therefore, Jesus confronted them. He came to vindicate the Law and make it once more lovable. So long as it remained an iron taskmaster it would keep men from Christ, instead of being a παιδαγωγός to bring them to Him (Gal 3:24).