Jesus did nothing without purpose (John 5:19), so when he heals the man by the pool and tells him, “Pick up your bed and walk” he knew how the Pharisees would respond. It was the Sabbath so “the Jews said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath: it is no lawful for you to carry your bed” (John 5:8-10).
They were so wrapped up in works of righteousness that they forgot to see the man, the human being. The did not rejoice with him. They had no compassion for him. Their only thought was to destroy Jesus (John 5:15-16).
Jesus showed he was Lord over the Sabbath. The Pharisees showed they were in bondage to the Sabbath.
