What Old Testament examples parallel the man's witness in John 5:15? Key Verse: John 5:15 “The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.” Old Testament Parallels of Personal Witness • Leviticus 14:2-3 – A cleansed leper was required to “be brought to the priest,” giving official testimony that the Lord had healed him. • 2 Kings 5:14-15 – Naaman returned to Elisha and declared, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel.” His healing propelled him to confess God’s power before his entourage and king. • 2 Kings 7:9-10 – Four lepers discovered the abandoned Aramean camp and said, “This day is a day of good news,” then “called to the gatekeepers of the city” and reported the deliverance to royal authorities. • Genesis 41:15-16 – Joseph, freshly released from prison, told Pharaoh, “I myself cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer,” openly attributing the coming revelation to the Lord. • Daniel 2:28 – Daniel stood before King Nebuchadnezzar and testified, “But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries,” directing credit away from himself and toward God. • Psalm 118:17 – “I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done,” capturing the heart of every rescued believer: public declaration follows divine rescue. • Isaiah 38:19 – After healing, King Hezekiah affirmed, “The living, the living—they praise You as I do today; fathers make known to children Your faithfulness.” Common Threads • Healing or deliverance comes first; witness follows. • The testimony is public—often before leaders or gatekeepers. • Credit is shifted from self to the LORD. • The witness triggers wider knowledge of God’s power, sometimes sparking national blessing (2 Kings 7). What These Parallels Highlight about John 5:15 • The once-crippled man did exactly what Scripture models: he identified the Healer and made that identity known to the authorities. • His simple statement continues the biblical pattern of rescued people becoming bold messengers. • The focus of every account—ancient or in John’s Gospel—is the same Person: the LORD, now revealed in Jesus, receiving rightful honor through human testimony. |
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