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Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered . . . (NASB) John 5:2-3 The place was called Bethesda or “house of mercy.” It contained a pool which was located near the Sheep Gate. The pool area was covered with five porticoes. The porticoes were covered areas where the ill would lie and wait. We will discover in the following verses that they were waiting under the porticoes because they believed that a person could be healed when the pool water was “stirred” (v. 7). So when the waters were stirred, there was a race to be the first one into the water.
Passage In Doubt. Before we continue with our study, we must stop and examine the next one and one-half verses. All of the major Bible translations place the following words in brackets or indicate in some way that the words are in doubt.
. . . waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted. (NASB) John 5:3-4 It appears that this passage might not belong in our Bibles because it has not been found in any of the ancient manuscripts before the fourth century A.D. That is, there is strong evidence that these words were inserted by someone about 300 years after the gospel of John was written in order to help us understand the passage. It was someone’s commentary about the pool. Therefore, it is highly doubtful that the words were written by the Apostle John. For anyone who is interested in a further discussion about the accuracy of our Bible and how scholars determine which words and verses belong in the Bible, you might be interested in the study called “How Accurate Is The Bible?” Now back to our study.
The Man. When Jesus arrived at Bethesda, He saw many people, yet He went over to only one man - a man who could not walk. He apparently went to the most helpless of them all. |
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| Life & Heart of Jesus | |||||
