New Testament Bible Study Part 2 Final Paper
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BIBL 110
New Testament Bible Study Assignment
Christian Kim
Liberty University
Professor Murphy
September 25, 2023
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BIBL 110
N
EW
T
ESTAMENT
B
IBLE
S
TUDY
I
NSTRUCTIONS
For this assignment, you will be studying a chosen narrative from the Gospels that includes a
question asked by Jesus. You have chosen between the following three passages:
1.
Matthew 15:32-39
2.
John 5:1-17
3.
John 14:1-12
You will use the template below in order to complete a study of this passage. In your study, you
will use the skills of Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, and Application that you have
become familiar with through your reading in
Everyday Bible Study, Approaching the New
Testament,
and
The Inquisitive Christ
. You will also consult and cite at least three additional
scholarly sources to be incorporated throughout this assignment.
I.
Introduction and Thesis Statement
The biblical passage in John 5:1-17 offers a profound glimpse into the ministry of Jesus
Christ, portraying a miraculous healing that holds significant theological and spiritual
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implications. In this narrative, “He entered a large public bath not far from the temple and healed
a man unable to walk for 38 years” (Shannon, 2019. p.337), ultimately Jesus restoring his health
at the Bethesda pool. As we delve into this passage, we will uncover how this section
corresponds to the Bible as one. This study will not only elucidate the historical context and
intricacies of the text but also explore its broader theological implications, shedding light on the
identity and mission of Jesus as the Son of God. In this paper, we will unravel the layers of
meaning embedded within John 5:1-17, emphasizing how it parallels various realities contained
in Scripture, combined with the character as well as works of Jesus. Through the healing of the
infirm man at the Bethesda pool, which serves as a pivotal moment in the Gospel, studying this
passage in the book of John, you may realize that Christ is also capable of making you complete.
Will you be redeemed? Thereby challenging readers to recognize and embrace the profound
implications of this encounter in their own lives, as it is stated by Robin Thompson, “Jesus is: a
God who could not only heal but one who could offer eternal life” (Thompson, 2017. p.65)
II. Observation
A. I have read the passage in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB) and
a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will find a copy
of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in Logos.
o
Yes
o
No
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
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1. Main characters: (List them)
-
Jesus
-
Religious Leaders (Jews)
-
A paralysed Man
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
In John 5:1-17, the plot centers around an encounter at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem.
“
The Pool of Bethesda
in Jerusalem was where sick people gathered with hopes of being cured
of their illnesses”
(Dunn, 2023). Jesus encounters a man who has been paralyzed for 38 years.
Jesus, through a miraculous healing, tells the man to pick up his mat and walk. This healing
occurs on the Sabbath, leading to controversy with the religious leaders who accuse Jesus of
violating the Sabbath laws. The plot highlights Jesus' compassion and divine authority, as well as
the growing opposition from the religious authorities due to his actions on the Sabbath.
3. Story structure (inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action): (50-100 words)
In John 5:1-17, Jesus meets a man at Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda who was paralyzed
(38 years). “
Jesus knew this man’s situation without having to be told” (Piper, 2009).
Jesus
heals the ill man unexpectedly and directs him to take up his mat and walk. This is controversial
among religious authorities since on the Sabbath, it breaches their religious precepts. When the
religious leaders question Jesus about the Sabbath violation, he affirms his authority with God
the Father. Jesus' justification for his conduct and the religious authorities' persistent animosity
for him, who desire to punish him for his claims and deeds, are included in the falling action.
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4. Question(s) asked in narrative:
Do you want to get well? John 5:6 NIV
Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk? John 5:12 NIV
C. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Questions” for observation.
Remember to consult the list of items from the observation section in studying the Gospels in
Chapter 17. This will help you be more detailed in your answers to “who,” “what,” “where,”
“when,” “why,” and “how.”
This is also an excellent place to consult scholarly sources to
provide detailed answers regarding context
.
1.
Who:
Jesus is the central figure who interacts with the invalid man, heals him, and later has a
confrontation with the religious leaders. A man who has been paralyzed for 38 years and is
healed by Jesus. The Religious Leaders (Pharisees) confronted Jesus about the healing on the
Sabbath and questioned his authority.
2.
What:
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Jesus encounters a man who has been an invalid for 38 years by the Pool of Bethesda. Then Jesus
performs a miraculous healing, instructing the man to pick up his mat and walk. Which then had
the religious leaders question the healed man about carrying his mat on the Sabbath. The healed
man attributes his healing and instructions to Jesus. And the religious leaders confront Jesus
about the Sabbath violation and his authority.
3.
Where:
The events in this section took place around Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda. “The Pool of
Bethesda in Jerusalem was where sick people gathered with hopes of being cured of their
illnesses” (Dunn, 2023).
4.
When:
This occurs at a Jewish holiday or celebration, in accordance to the scripture.
5.
Why:
To display his heavenly power and compassion, Jesus heals the ill man. In which the religious
leaders confront Jesus because they feel he violated Sabbath restrictions and want to question his
authority.
6. How:
“Jesus knew this man’s situation without having to be told” (Piper, 2009). The paralyzed man is
healed via Jesus' spoken word, which instructs him to take up his mat and walk and the conflict
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between Jesus and the religious authorities is the result of their dispute over Sabbath laws and
Jesus' assertions.
III. Interpretation
A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words) explain what you
think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember to take into consideration
that this passage includes a conversation that Jesus is having. Thus, this passage is both showing
and telling us something.
The author primarily conveys two interrelated messages in John 5:1-17. This verse
emphasizes Jesus' divine authority and power first and foremost. The author argues that Jesus has
the potential to transcend human boundaries and bring about change and restoration by the
miraculous healing of a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. In the Biblical times,
“Healing pools and shrines were very common in the Middle East” (Krejcir, 2009). This healing
represents Jesus' sovereignty over spiritual and moral healing as well as bodily regeneration. By
healing on the Sabbath, Jesus is defying religious conventions and affirming his unique status as
the Son of God who acts outside of human constraints.
Second, this verse emphasizes the concept of faith and belief. This article “explored the
literary traits and analyzed characterizations in the story of the lame man at the pool of
Bethesda” (Hahn, N., & van Eck, E., 2021). The man's meeting with Jesus puts his faith to the
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test. When asked if he wants to be healed, his response demonstrates his willingness to trust in
the potential of healing through Jesus. Similarly, the religious leaders' reaction to Jesus' conduct
demonstrates their lack of faith and inflexible adherence to legalistic interpretations of Sabbath
law. The author underlines the importance of trust in Jesus as the source of healing and
development via these opposing emotions. Overall, John 5:1-17 is stunning evidence of Jesus'
authority and the need to trust in him for spiritual and bodily healing.
B. Look again at the questions asked within the narrative. In 1 paragraph (200 words) explain
the purpose of these questions to the story, as well as how the particular question(s) that Jesus
asked related to his relationship with the other character(s).
The questions posed in John 5:1-17 serve numerous significant functions in the account.
For starters, they help the story proceed by exposing important information about the people and
their views. For example, when Jesus asks the ailing man, "Do you want to get well?" he is
questioning the man's faith and want to be healed. The man's reaction reveals not just his
physical state but also his desire to believe in Jesus' healing abilities. Second, the questions
contribute to the narrative's growing conflict and tension. The religious leaders' questions
concerning the Sabbath transgression and Jesus' authority illustrate the developing hostility
between Jesus and the religious establishment. These inquiries are intended to call into doubt
Jesus' conduct and weaken his authority. In terms of Jesus' inquiries, they are crucial in
establishing his interaction with the other characters. His question to the ill displays his
compassion and desire to help people in need, emphasizing his role as a healer and giver of hope.
His replies to the religious leaders' queries, on the other hand, underline his divine authority and
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show his unique relationship with God the Father, establishing him as a person who transcends
traditional religious conventions. In essence, the questions, particularly those made by Jesus,
propel the story ahead, enhance character development, and highlight the passage's key themes
of faith, authority, and belief.
C. Based on your answers above, narrow down one principle from this passage. You should be
able to express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
The story in John 5:1-17 shows how trust in Jesus as the ultimate source of healing and
change may confront and transcend conventional religious customs, highlighting the value of
spiritual belief above legalistic laws. This concept emphasizes that Jesus' supernatural power is
unconstrained by human rules, and believing in Him can result in profound spiritual and bodily
regeneration.
IV. Correlation
A. How does this passage fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State what type of story
you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and explain why you believe
this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
John 5:1-17 ties within the Bible's metanarrative as a story of "redemption." It represents
the Bible's overarching idea of redemption, in which humanity's brokenness and sins are met
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with divine intervention and healing through trust in God. The ill man's situation in this text
represents the human condition; a state of bodily and spiritual brokenness. The deity, represented
by Jesus, intervenes to rescue the man, mending both his physical ailment and his spiritual
despondency. Additionally, “he warns him that, if he turns away, and mocks this gift, or makes an
idol out of his health, and embraces sin as his way of life, he will perish” (Piper, 2009). The clash
with religious leaders, on the other hand, highlights the fallen character of human religious
systems and legalism. The healing and subsequent disagreement demonstrate that redemption is
about more than simply physical healing; it is also about restoring faith, confronting legalism,
and presenting Jesus as the ultimate source of spiritual rebirth and hope. Thus, John 5:1-17 fits
within the larger story arc of the Bible by depicting salvation via trust in Christ.
B. How does this passage reflect other truths found in the Scriptures? State and explain at least
one way that the principle of this passage can be identified elsewhere in the Bible. Your
explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
The principle found in John 5:1-17, which emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus as
the source of healing and transformation, can be identified elsewhere in the Bible, notably in the
healing narratives involving Jesus. For instance, in the Gospel of Mark 5:25-34, the story of the
woman with the issue of blood demonstrates this principle. In this passage, a woman who had
suffered for twelve years from a chronic condition believed that touching the fringe of Jesus'
garment would bring about her healing. Her deep faith in Jesus as a source of healing led to her
immediate restoration. Jesus acknowledged her faith, saying, "Daughter, your faith has healed
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you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." This story parallels the principle in John 5:1-
17 by illustrating how faith in Jesus' healing power can lead to redemption from physical
suffering and spiritual restoration. It shows that throughout the Bible, faith in Jesus as the
ultimate source of healing remains a consistent and central theme, transcending the specific
circumstances and individuals involved.
C. How does this passage reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State and explain at least
one way that the principle of this passage identifies something of the person and work of Jesus
Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
John 5:1-17 clearly portrays Jesus Christ's identity and activity by emphasizing His
almighty authority and function as the ultimate source of healing and salvation. In this day and
age, believers often struggle with compregending that “Jesus is greater than the gods and the
cultures, greater than our fears and weaknesss, greater than our sin and pride… and what we
think is important today” (Krejcir, 2009). Jesus' miraculous cure of the ill man who had been
suffering for 38 years demonstrates His heavenly power over human ailment. Furthermore, His
Sabbath healing demonstrates His dominion over religious rules and customs, indicating that He
transcends human limitations. This chapter also demonstrates Jesus' compassion and readiness to
connect with those in need, highlighting His position as a compassionate healer and giver of
hope. Furthermore, when attacked by religious authorities, Jesus proclaims His one-of-a-kind
relationship with God the Father, portraying Himself as the Son of God with divine power. In
summary, John 5:1-17 portrays Jesus Christ as the divine healer who opposes legalism, delivers
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spiritual and bodily salvation, and affirms His control over all parts of life, including religious
traditions.
V. Application
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and
explain 1 point of application for your life for each of these four questions. Your explanation
for each of these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
A. The question of duty
John 5:1-17 emphasizes our responsibility to exhibit compassion and assist those in need.
The crippled man had been immobile for 38 years when Jesus asked him if he wanted to be
healed, showing compassion. Jesus’ “knowledge of us is complete, and his compassion toward us
is great” (Piper, 2009). This paragraph reminds me of my responsibility to aggressively seek
chances to aid and support people in need in my own life. This question inspires me to analyze if
I am doing my role as a compassionate and caring individual, whether it is lending a helping
hand to a friend going through a tough moment or volunteering for a charity cause. It emphasizes
the need of not merely notice others' pain but also taking the significant effort to alleviate it.
B. The question of character
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Jesus embodies compassion, empathy, and a readiness to heal the sick. When I apply this
to my own life, it inspires me to consider the change in my character. The paralyzed man had “no
one willing to help him, had waited thirty-eight years. Thus, Jesus had compassion for him”
(Krejcir, 2009). It pushes me to aim for a character who reflects Jesus' values, notably his
compassion for people in need. This paragraph reminds me that my actions and decisions should
be motivated by real concern and a desire to assist others, even if it means going out of my way
or sacrificing my own comfort. It motivates me to keep working on developing a character that
represents Christ's love and compassion in all of my interactions and decisions, so becoming a
better expression of my religion.
C. The question of goals
This passage makes me think about my own life aspirations. It pushes me to develop
meaningful and worthwhile objectives that are consistent with my beliefs and values. Like the
guy seeking treatment, I should aim for goals that benefit not only myself but also others and the
larger good. It motivates me to consider if my aspirations are self-centered or incorporate a larger
goal of making a beneficial effect on the world. This question encourages me to set objectives
that reflect my Christian beliefs and a desire to assist others, allowing me to live a more
purposeful and satisfying life based on God's plan.
D. The question of discernment
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John 5:1-17 emphasizes Jesus' ability to perceive the disabled man's hidden needs and
hardships without his directly voicing them. This chapter inspires me to improve my judgment in
my relationships with people. It motivates me to pay close attention, observe, and endeavor to
comprehend the deeper concerns that others may not always express. Developing discernment
allows me to react to their needs more efficiently and compassionately. This question pushes me
to go deeper than surface-level interactions and judgements, to recognize and address the
underlying issues, suffering, or desires of others around me. By sharpening my discernment, I
may better give support, encouragement, and direction to others, establishing deeper and more
lasting connections and fulfilling my Christian obligation to love and care for my neighbors as
myself.
VI. Conclusion
Summarize your major points and concluding thoughts here.
I went over important ideas in the narrative of John 5:1-17 using the framework of the
Four Questions for Application, highlighting the importance of this biblical scripture in our lives
as Christians. The subject of duty reminds us of our obligation to actively provide compassion
and support to those in need. Just as Jesus asked the paralyzed man whether he wanted to be
healed, we are challenged to evaluate our role as Christ's disciples, challenging us to be proactive
in displaying compassion and concern for those who suffer. Our attention is drawn to Jesus'
compassionate nature and eagerness to heal the sick. It inspires us to embody these
characteristics, molding our personalities to reflect compassion, understanding, and a real desire
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to provide healing and hope to others. Goals encourages us to develop meaningful and
worthwhile goals in our life that are consistent with our beliefs and values. Our objectives, like
the paralyzed man's desire to get well, should include a larger vision of contributing to the well-
being of others and the greater good. Jesus' exceptional capacity to recognize underlying wants
and suffering is highlighted by discernment. We are urged to hone our discernment abilities,
which will allow us to better comprehend the underlying sorrows and wants of others around us
and respond with greater compassion and efficacy.
Finally, John 5:1-17 provides us with a wealth of spiritual information and instruction.
We have been reminded that our religion is a dynamic force that compels us to actively live out
our Christian calling through these Four Questions for Application. It calls us to be active
participants in Christ's transformational mission rather than passive onlookers. We become
vessels of healing and hope in a world that hungers for compassion by accepting our duty,
cultivating a Christ-like character, adopting purposeful objectives, and developing our
discernment. This chapter emphasizes the idea that our religion should motivate us to love
genuinely, act generously, and live with a strong sense of purpose. John 5:1-17 asks us to follow
in Christ's footsteps, sharing His love, grace, and healing everywhere we go.
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Citations
Dunn, B. (2023, April 25).
Pool of bethesda meaning, Bible story, and importance
.
biblestudytools.com.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/are-you-
waiting-for-god-at-the-pool-of-bethesda.html
Hahn, N., & van Eck, E. (2021). The lame man at the pool of Bethesda: Christological and
doxological significance of characterisation in John 5.
In Die
Skriflig,
55
(1)
https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v55i1.2713
Piper, J (2009, August 23)
Healed for the sake of holiness
. Desiring God. (2023, September 19).
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/healed-for-the-sake-of-holiness
Krejcir, D. R. J. (2009).
John 5:1-15
. Into Thy Word. Teaching People How to Study the Bible.
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=60742&columnid=3803
McClendon, A., & Cartwright, J. (2022).
Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students
.
B&H Academic.
Murphy Cara (2020).
The Inquisitive Christ 12 Engaging Questions
. FaithWords.
Shannon. (2019). Covenant Relation as Prolegomena to Knowledge of God: An Exegetical Study
of John 5. Neue Zeitschrift Für Systematische Theologie Und Religionsphilosophie., 61(3),
333–353.
https://doi.org/10.1515/nzsth-2019-0018
Thompson. (2017).
Healing at the Pool of Bethesda: A Challenge to Asclepius? Bulletin for
Biblical Research
/, 27(1), 65–84.
https://doi.org/10.5325/bullbiblrese.27.1.0065
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