Verse 16 Therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus. It was with this design that they inquired, (John 5:12;) but the man, in giving them the information, did not intend this result. He spoke (John 5:15) to honor Jesus, not to betray him, as is indicated by the form of his expression. If the latter had been his design, he would have told the Jews that it was Jesus who directed him to take up his bed and walk, not that it was Jesus who had made him whole.