John 5:1-4 (WEL) After this, there was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 In Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, there is a pool with five covered porches. In Hebrew, it is called Bethesda. 3 On these, was a large crowd of sick people lying down—the blind, crippled, and wasted, waiting for the agitation of the water. 4 For an angel went down occasionally to the pool and agitated the water. Now then, whoever stepped in first after the stirring up of the water was healed of whatever disease he had.
Chapter summary:
Joseph Benson:
“(1) Christ goes up to a feast at Jerusalem, and there cures a poor impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, John 5:1-9.
(2) The Jews quarrel with him for doing it on the Sabbath day, John 5:10-16.
(3) Christ vindicates himself by asserting his authority as Son of God and Mediator, John 5:17-30.
(4) Having declared to the Jews the dignity of his person, office, and character, he proceeds to prove his divine mission by the testimony of John the Baptist, of his own miracles, of his Father, and of the scriptures of the Old Testament, John 5:32-39.
(5) He condemns the Jews for their unbelief, pride, and readiness to receive impostors, John 5:40-47.”
V1 After this, there was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
It is not known which feast this is. Some have suggested it to be the Passover or Tabernacles (Hoehner). Whatever, John explains why Jesus has returned to Jerusalem.
V2 In Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, there is a pool with five covered porches. In Hebrew, it is called Bethesda.
This is an eyewitness account. The Sheep Gate was built by Eliashib (Nehemiah 3:1). (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary) “Entrance in Northeastern Corner of Jerusalem’s City Wall (Nehemiah 3:1,32; Nehemiah 12:39). Apparently, sheep for temple sacrifice entered the city through it. It was close to the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:2).”
Bethesda means house of mercy because it was a place of mercy.
Dr. Wilbur Pickering notes: “Fully 99% of the Greek manuscripts read the familiar ‘Bethesda’, and this name is attested by the 1st century Copper Scroll from Qumran. The so-called ‘critical text’ (UBS and N-A) serves up the pitiful ‘Bethzatha’, following two Greek manuscripts, א (fourth cent.) and 33 (tenth cent.) (as in TEV, RSV, Jer., etc.). The UBS editors have introduced an historical error into their text on the flimsiest of evidence.”
Dr. Wilbur Pickering concerning the five covered porches: “The pool is a rectangle (it’s still there), so it has four sides—so where was the fifth porch? Across the middle, dividing the pool into two smaller ones. Instead of ‘porch’, one could use ‘portico’, ‘cloister’, ‘colonnade’—a covered walkway.”
V3 On these, was a large crowd of sick people lying down—the blind, crippled, and wasted, waiting for the agitation of the water.
(ESV Archaeology Study Bible Notes) “The vicinity of the Pool of Bethesda had been venerated as a place of healing before Jesus’ day, and was later given over to a Roman healing shrine in the second and third centuries AD. The invalids were seeking cures for their ailments and were probably lying within the roofed colonnades in order to stay out of the sun.”
Jesus, knowing all things, knew about this man. Perhaps the man was praying and had faith which Jesus knew, or perhaps Jesus came there to heal. People by this time knew that He had done miracles. There was only one who had enough faith to be healed, and Jesus had to prompt him with some questions to test his faith.
Dr Wilbur Pickering: “About 0.5% of the Greek manuscripts, of inferior quality, omit the last clause of verse 3 and all of verse 4 (as in NIV, NASB, LB, [TEV], etc.). But obviously all those people wouldn’t stay there (in discomfort) day in and day out, year in and year out, if nothing was happening. Obviously people got healed, and verse 7 makes clear that it had to do with the stirring of the water—so why didn’t those manuscripts omit verse 7 as well? The UBS editions do us a considerable disservice by following a very small minority of manuscripts and making the angel “of the Lord”. Since angels can be good or fallen, it seems most likely to me that the angel involved was fallen. A capricious, occasional healing condemned all those people to added suffering (being at the pool instead of the comfort of home), including the frustration and despair of those who never made it (like the man Jesus healed). A sadistic procedure is just like Satan.”
Principle: God can help and heal if we ask Him, too. It is not guaranteed but we must seek God’s blessing first.
Principle: Seek for those who will listen to the Gospel.
V4 For an angel went down occasionally to the pool and agitated the water. Now then, whoever stepped in first after the stirring up of the water was healed of whatever disease he had.
That such miracles can happen is comforting. These words are written by the Apostle John as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Most people ignore, reject, or refuse to believe the words. I accept them.
It is a first-person witness.
John would have been with Jesus.
The following verses make no sense unless it were true.
We learn:
- Jesus seeks the lost.
- Jesus came to heal spiritually but also physically.
- Jesus has the ability and authority to heal.
Questions:
- Do you believe the words of Scripture?
- Do you believe eyewitness reports?