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I. ITS NATURE. "Told." Some think a healed life a sufficient testimony. So it is when the author of the healing is known, but not otherwise. When a man is cured of a dangerous disease his health is a testimony to some one's medical skill; but who's? The restored patient must "tell" to bear testimony to the physician. So the life of a renovated Christian is a witness to some power. But who has exercised the power? Himself: by thought and resolution? His friends: by advice and influence? No, Jesus Himself. Then let the renovated Christian say so.

II. Its SUBSTANCE. "That it was Jesus which had made him whole."

1. It avoids controversial matters. The man declined to say anything about taking up his bed; probably he could not discuss the Sabbath question; anyhow it was irrelevant. Let the confessor of Christ not be tempted into disputes.

2. It keeps to the point.

(1)  The person of Jesus.

(2)  The work of Jesus — personal, miraculous, complete.

III. Its BASIS.

1. Experience. As in the case of conversion it was not a fancy, but a felt fact. He knew that he was made whole by the use of his limbs. The Christian knows that he has been made whole by the employment of his regenerated powers.

2. Revelation (ver. 14). It was not a speculation, but a statement grounded on Christ's information. So the Holy Spirit of Christ bears witness with our spirits.

IV. Its INSPIRATION.

1. Certainly not a desire to injure Jesus by revealing Him to His enemies. Such a thought could hardly have entered the man's mind.

2. But gratitude desiring to make widely known the source by which he was healed. What is ours? Personal display or self-abnegating thankfulness?

V. Its OBJECTS. "The Jews." Probably the Sanhedrim, for so the expression seems to mean in John (cf. John 1:19; John 7:1; John 9:22; John 18:12, 14).

1. Whoever asks for it. The Jews challenged it, and the man took up the challenge. Be always ready to give an answer for the hope that is in you to every man.

2. The most influential. The Sanhedrim's acknowledgment of Jesus would have carried the nation. How helpful to his Master the Christian in high places, in the court or parliament. Let him not hide his light under a bushel.

VI. Its CHARACTERISTICS.

1. Courage. The poor man bore his testimony before the rich, powerful, learned. "God hath not given us the spirit of fear."

2. Self-abnegation. It was to Jesus alone, not to his co-operation with Jesus, "Made him whole," not "by whom he walked."

3. Beneficent. By this means the sick might know the healer.

VII. Its EFFECTS.

1. Unstudied by the man. How it would be received he knew not. The Christian is to do his duty regardless of consequences, "Whether they will bear or forbear."

2. Apparently disastrous. The Jews sought to slay Jesus. Let the man who fears to bear witness before infidels and scoffers remember this. Augmented antagonism must not discourage duty.

3. Eventually glorious: This was the first act in the drama of redemption. The Jews slew Jesus, but by that He became the Saviour of the world. The preaching of Christ in the early centuries and more recently, e.g., in Madagascar, led to terrible persecution, but eventually to the triumph of the gospel.

(J. W. Burn.)

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KJV: After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

WEB: After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.