These adversaries of Christ had no arguments with which to meet the truths He brought home to their consciences. They could only cite their customs and traditions, and these seemed weak and vapid when compared with the arguments Jesus had drawn from the word of God and the unceasing round of nature. Had the rabbis felt any desire to receive light, they would have been convinced that Jesus spoke the truth. But they evaded the points He made concerning the Sabbath, and sought to stir up anger against Him because He claimed to be equal with God. The fury of the rulers knew no bounds. Had they not feared the people, the priests and rabbis would have slain Jesus on the spot. But the popular sentiment in His favor was strong. Many recognized in Jesus the friend who had healed their diseases and comforted their sorrows, and they justified His healing of the sufferer at Bethesda. So for the time the leaders were obliged to restrain their hatred.

Kristi modstandere havde ingen argumenter, hvormed de kunne imødegå de sandheder, med hvilke han ramte deres samvittighed. De kunne kun komme frem med deres skikke og overleveringer, og disse forekom svage og tomme i sammenligning med de argumenter, som Jesus havde fremdraget af Guds ord og naturens aldrig standsende gang. Hvis de skriftkloge havde følt noget ønske om at tage imod lyset, ville de have ladet sig overbevise om, at Jesus talte sandhed. Men de gik uden om de ting, han sagde om sabbatten, og søgte at vække vrede mod ham, fordi han hævdede at være Gud lig. Rådsherrernes raseri var grænseløst. Hvis de ikke havde været bange for folket, ville præsterne og de skriftkloge have dræbt Jesus på stedet. Men folkestemningen var helt på hans side. Mange genkendte i Jesus den ven, som havde helbredt deres sygdomme og trøstet dem i deres sorger, og de fandt hans helbredelse af den syge ved Betesda berettiget. Derfor blev myndighederne for en tid nødt til at holde deres had i tømme.