“Dicebant ergo Judæi illi qui sanatus fuerat : Sabbatum est, non licet tibi tollere grabatum tuum.”
“The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.”
“so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “This is the Sabbath! It is unlawful for you to carry your mat.””
“So the Jews said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry the mat.””
“So the Jews said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed.”
(1.) The Jews quarrelled with the man for carrying his bed on the sabbath day, telling him that it was not lawful, v. 10. It does not appear whether they were magistrates, who had power to punish him, or common people, who could only inform against him; but thus far was commendable, that, while they knew not by what authority he did it, they were jealous for the honour of the sabbath, and could not unconcernedly see it profaned; like Nehemiah. Neh 13 17.
Verses 10-16 Those eased of the punishment of sin, are in danger of returning to sin, when the terror and restraint are over, unless Divine grace dries up the fountain. The misery believers are made whole from, warns us to sin no more, having felt the smart of sin. This is the voice of every providence, Go, and sin no more. Christ saw it necessary to give this caution; for it is common for people, when sick, to promise much; when newly recovered, to perform only something; but after awhile to forget all. Christ spoke of the wrath to come, which is beyond compare worse than the many hours, nay, weeks and years of pain, some wicked men have to suffer in consequence of their unlawful indulgences. And if such afflictions are severe, how dreadful will be the everlasting punishment of the wicked!