John 5

After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

I receive not honour from men.

But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

What does John 5:4 mean?

Explanation

John 5:4 refers to an event associated with the Pool of Bethesda, where it was believed that an angel would periodically descend, stir the waters, and impart a healing property to them.

The verse explains that the first person to enter the pool after the angel troubled the water would be healed of whatever ailment they had.

This passage is often understood both literally, as a description of a miraculous event, and symbolically, where the pool represents a place of healing and the angelic visitation signifies divine intervention.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Pool of Bethesda was located near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem and was associated with healing.

During the time of Jesus, many ill and disabled people would gather there, hoping for a chance to be healed.

The existence of such pools, believed to have healing powers, reflects the cultural context of the time, where the intersection of the divine and health was woven into the fabric of society.

Theological Insights

Some Christian theologians interpret this verse as a testament to God's mercy and healing power. Others, however, raise questions about the nature of divine intervention, pondering why such healings were provided intermittently and to a limited number of individuals.

Additionally, this verse has been omitted from some modern Bible translations because it is not found in the earliest manuscripts, leading to discussions on textual criticism and the development of the biblical canon.

Practical Applications

This verse teaches about hope and faith in divine aid for those in need of healing. It encourages individuals to seek God in times of suffering.

Moreover, it prompts believers to be vigilant, suggesting that opportunities for healing (both physical and spiritual) may arise unexpectedly and require prompt action.

Cross-References

John 5:7: "The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me."
Acts 14:8-10: "And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet.

And he leaped and walked."

Language Study

The specific term "troubled" in this verse is translated from the Greek word "etaraxen," which means to "stir up" or "disturb." This term conveys the visible agitation of the water's surface, which served as a sign to those seeking healing.

The phrase "at a certain season" suggests that the event was not constant but periodic.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The belief in natural locations having healing powers is common across various ancient cultures.

The Greek god Asclepius was associated with healing and had sanctuaries known as Asclepieia where people sought cures. Similarly, in Roman culture, the deity of a particular spring or pool might grant health benefits.

This verse reflects the common human quest for healing and the divine across different societies.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science would likely attribute the healing effects of such pools to the placebo effect or the presence of minerals with therapeutic properties.

No scientific evidence corroborates the idea of angelic intervention.

The significance of the water being "troubled" might be rationalized by suggesting a subterranean source that occasionally released gas or had other physical explanations for the bubbling or stirring effect.

Commentaries

Many Bible commentators observe that John 5:4 is part of a longer narrative about Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath, which is the central focus rather than the angel stirring the waters.

Commentators who acknowledge the historical-critical method note the absence of this verse in early manuscripts, positing that it may have been a later addition to the text to explain the subsequent verses.

Those who uphold the inerrancy of Scripture might argue that the verse, though not in the earliest texts, reflects an oral tradition that was true to the events of the time.

John 5

John 5

What does John 5:4 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 5:4 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?