A controversy now took place in regard to the true claims of the Sabbath law. Jesus had purposely chosen the Sabbath day upon which to perform the miracle at the pool. He could have healed the sick man as well on any other day of the week; also he might have simply cured him, and avoided arousing the indignation of the Jews, by bidding him take up his bed and depart. But a wise purpose underlay every act of Christ’s life on earth; everything he did was important in itself and its teaching. He came to vindicate his Father’s law and make it honorable. The Sabbath, instead of being the blessing it was designed to be, had become a curse through the added requirements of the Jews. Jesus wished to rid it of these incumbrances and leave it standing upon its own holy dignity. {2SP 161.3}

Der blev nu strid angående sabbatsbuddets forandringer. Jesus havde med forsæt valgt sabbatsdagen til at udføre dette mirakel ved dammen. Han kunne ligeså godt have helbredt den syge mand på en anden dag i ugen, eller han kunne simpelt hen have helbredt ham og undgået af vække jødernes forbitrelse ved at befale ham at tage sin seng og gå; men der var en vis hensigt med alle Kristi handlinger, medens han var (162) på jorden. Alt, hvad han gjorde og lærte, var betydningsfuldt. Han kom for at forsvare sin faders lov og ære den. Sabbaten var blevet til forbandelse ved de forandringer, som jøderne havde tilføjet, i stedet for at være en velsignelse, som Gud havde bestemt. Jesus ønskede at borttage disse byrder og at lade sabbaten hvile på sin egen hellighed og værdighed.