John - 5:13



13 But he who was healed didn't know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a crowd being in the place.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of John 5:13.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
But he that was healed knew not who it was; for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the place.
But he who was healed, knew not who it was; for Jesus went aside from the multitude standing in the place.
But he that had been healed knew not who it was, for Jesus had slidden away, there being a crowd in the place.
But he that was healed had not known who he is, for Jesus did move away, a multitude being in the place.
But the man who had been cured did not know who it was; for Jesus had passed out unnoticed, there being a crowd in the place.
Now he who had been made well had no knowledge who it was, Jesus having gone away because of the number of people who were in that place.
But the one who had been given health did not know who it was. For Jesus had turned aside from the crowd gathered in that place.
But the man who had been restored did not know who it was; for Jesus had moved away, because there was a crowd there.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

And he who had been cured knew not who he was. Christ certainly did not intend that the glory of so great a work should pass away, but he intended that it should become generally known before that he acknowledged himself to be the Author of it. He therefore withdrew for a little, that the Jews might have it in their power to judge of the fact itself, without reference to any person. And hence we learn that the cure of this man cannot be ascribed to his faith, since, even after having been cured, he does not acknowledge his Physician; and yet, when he was ordered, he carried his bed, which appears to have been done by the guidance of faith. For my own part, as I do not deny that there was in him some secret movement of faith, so I say that it is clear from what follows, that he had no solid doctrine or clear light on which he could rely.

Wist not - Knew not.
Had conveyed himself away - Was lost in the crowd. He had silently mingled with the multitude, or had passed on with the crowd unobserved, and the man had been so rejoiced at his cure that he had not even asked for the name of his benefactor.

Jesus had conveyed himself away - Or, had withdrawn himself. And this he might easily do, as there was a crowd in the place. Some think the words indicate, that Jesus withdrew on seeing a multitude in the place, i.e. raising a tumult, because of the man's carrying his bed (margin: Or, from the multitude that was). He had not yet finished his work, and would not expose himself to the envy and malice of the Jewish rulers.

And he that was healed, wist not who he was,.... He had never seen, and perhaps had never heard of Christ before, and so knew him not; and besides, Christ gave him no opportunity of conversing with him, or so much as to ask him who he was:
for Jesus had conveyed himself away; had slipped away, as soon as ever he had wrought the miracle:
a multitude being in that place; or "from the multitude that were in that place"; not that he hid himself among them, and there remained undiscovered; but he passed through them, and went his way to the temple, where he found the man he had healed, as in the following verse.

he that was healed wist not, &c.--That some one, with unparalleled generosity, tenderness and power, had done it, the man knew well enough: but as he had never heard of Him before, so he disappeared too quickly for any inquiries.
conveyed himself away--slipped out of the crowd that had gathered, to avoid both hasty popularity and precipitate hatred (Matthew 12:14-19).

*More commentary available at chapter level.


Discussion on John 5:13

User discussion of the verse.






*By clicking Submit, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.