Albert Barnes Commentary John 5:3

"In these lay a multitude of them that were sick, blind, halt, withered, [waiting for the moving of the water.]" — John 5:3 (ASV)

Impotent folk. Sick people; or people who were weak and feeble from a long-lasting disease. The word means those who were feeble rather than those who were afflicted with acute disease.

Halt. Lame.

Withered. Those who were afflicted with one form of palsy that withered or dried up the affected part .

Moving of the water. It appears that this pool had medicinal properties only when it was agitated or stirred. It is probable that at regular times or intervals the fountain put forth an unusual quantity of water, or water of special properties, and that about these times the people assembled in multitudes who were to be healed.