What does John 5:9 mean?

Whether this man was seeking healing, whether he expected to be healed, and whether he wanted to be healed, that is exactly what happened. In prior verses, Jesus seems to question the man's interest in being made whole (John 5:6). The man's answer was lukewarm at best. He had likely given up hope or become comfortable inspiring pity from others (John 5:7). Yet of all the disabled people there, Jesus chose to approach and heal this man (John 5:8).

The Greek of this verse describes the healing as happening kai eutheōs, literally meaning "right away" or "at once." Whether this was a split second, or a matter of a few seconds, we cannot be sure. It certainly was not an extended process. No room was left to claim that Jesus' statement before the man's restoration was a coincidence. Jesus told a man crippled for thirty-eight years to walk, and he got right up and walked!

Instantaneous change is one of the signs of a "true miracle." False teachers, faith healers, and other frauds attempt to claim miraculous healing. According to the con artist, these effects are slow to complete or minor at first. This makes it easier to pretend a miracle was delivered when nothing of the kind has happened. This passage records a "true miracle," meant to prove a particular point (John 20:30–31). This is likely one reason Jesus chose a man who had been completely crippled for nearly four decades. When that man instantly walked in response to Jesus' command, it left no doubt that what happened was a miracle. It was not a trick, a show, or an illusion; this was the power of God.

That makes the reaction of the local religious leaders even more disappointing. Rather than being in awe of the miracle, they will be offended that Jesus violates their traditions regarding the Sabbath. Given that Jesus often argued with the Pharisees over the Sabbath (Luke 13:10–17; Matthew 12:1–8), there's good reason to think He is purposefully provoking the hard hearts of these men by His actions.