Upon learning of Jesus' arrival in Galilee from Judea, a royal official makes two requests of him. Firstly, he asks Jesus to travel from Cana to Capernaum. Secondly, he requests Jesus to heal his son, who is critically ill. The desperation in the royal official's plea to Jesus indicates that he desperately needs help. Typically, individuals of high status and influence do not seek assistance from wandering, uneducated faith healers. The father's love for his son is evident. He values his son's life more than his status or reputation. He loves his son so much that he chose seeking help from Jesus over the opinions of his influential friends. This decision led to the father believing in Jesus' words and continuing on his way. Although he didn't know what would happen, when the man was on his way down, his servants informed him that his son was better. The man then asked them when his son started improving, to which they replied, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him" (verse 52).

On the Sabbath, Jesus meets a man who cannot walk and trusts in a false belief. Jesus miraculously heals him and restores him. However, instead of rejoicing, some people criticize and harass Jesus for performing the healing on the Sabbath day. Jesus tells them that he is doing God's work, and they accuse him of claiming to be equal to God, which leads them to seek his death. The man was waiting and watching for an angel's stirring of the waters, hoping to be the first to enter and be healed. Despite not guaranteeing the waters stirring, he hoped to restore his health.

It is important to acknowledge that this man is in a pitiful state. However, it is also important to note that the Bible does not mention God creating healing pools in Jerusalem or the belief that angels would stir the waters to cure the first person to enter. This belief is based on superstition and ignorance, and when Jesus attempts to challenge it, the man is too deeply invested in it to question its validity. The man didn't have to be the first to enter the water to be healed. He just needed Jesus, who created the world, to speak and make it happen. He didn't require any misinformation about angels affecting the water. Jesus saying the word was sufficient for his healing. This results in a dispute, as described in verses 10-13. The Jews in question value strict adherence to religious laws more than showing love and compassion for others. They prioritize conforming to rules over showing empathy toward individuals and their unique circumstances.

In verse 12, the Jews ask the man who healed him, "Who told you to pick up your bed and walk?" It is interesting to note that their focus is on the fact that Jesus gave instructions that involved carrying a bed on the Sabbath rather than acknowledging the healing miracle that had taken place. It's hard to believe that someone healed by Jesus would want to hurt him. Maybe the man reported Jesus to the Jews because he thought it was the right thing to do, without realizing that the authorities wanted to harm Jesus. Because of his report, the authorities began to persecute Jesus for performing healings on the Sabbath.