A.T. Robertson Commentary John 5

After these things (μετα ταυτα). John is fond of this vague phrase (3:22; 6:1). He does not mean that this incident follows immediately. He is supplementing the Synoptic Gospels and does not attempt a full story of the work of Jesus. Some scholars needlessly put chapter 5 after chapter 6 because in chapter 6 Jesus is in Galilee as at the end of chapter 4. But surely it is not incongruous to think of Jesus making a visit to Jerusalem before the events in chapter 6 which undoubtedly come within a year of the end (6:4).

A feast of the Jews (εορτη των Ιουδαιων). Some manuscripts have the article (η) "the feast" which would naturally mean the passover. As a matter of fact there is no way of telling what feast it was which Jesus here attended. Even if it was not the passover, there may well be another passover not mentioned besides the three named by John (2:13,23; 6:4: 12:1).

Went up (ανεβη). Second aorist active indicative of αναβαινω. It was up towards Jerusalem from every direction save from Hebron.

There is (εστιν). Bengel argues that this proves a date before the destruction of Jerusalem, but it is probably only John's vivid memory.

By the sheep gate (επ τη προβατικη). Supply πυλη (gate) which occurs with the adjective προβατικη (pertaining to sheep, προβατα) in Ne 3:1,22.

A pool (κολυμβηθρα). A diving or swimming pool (from κολυμβαω, to swim, Acts 27:43), old word, only here in N.T.

Which is called (η επιλεγομενη). "The surnamed" (present passive participle, only N.T. example except Ac 15:40 first aorist middle participle επιλεξαμενος).

In Hebrew (Εβραιστ). "In Aramaic" strictly as in 19:13,17,20; 20:16; Revelation 9:11; 16:16.

Bethesda (Βεθεσδα, or House of Mercy. So A C Syr cu). Aleph D L 33 have Βεθζαθα or House of the Olive, while B W Vulg. Memph. have Βεθσαιδα.

Having five porches (πεντε στοας εχουσα). Στοα was a covered colonnade where people can gather from which Stoic comes (Acts 17:18). See Joh 10:23; Acts 3:11. Schick in 1888 found twin pools north of the temple near the fortress of Antonia one of which has five porches. It is not, however, certain that this pool existed before A.D. 70 when the temple was destroyed (Sanday, Sacred Sites of the Gospels, p. 55). Some have identified it with the Pool of Siloam (9:7), though John distinguishes them. There is also the Virgin's Well, called the Gusher, because it periodically bubbles over from a natural spring, a kind of natural siphon. This is south of the temple in the Valley of Kedron and quite possibly the real site.

In these (εν ταυταις). In these five porches.

Lay (κατεκειτο). Imperfect middle of κατακειμα, to lie down, singular number because πληθος (multitude) is a collective substantive.

Withered (ξηρων). Old adjective ξηρος for dry, wasted as the hand (Matthew 12:10). The oldest and best manuscripts omit what the Textus Receptus adds here "waiting for the moving of the water" (εκδεχομενον την του υδατος κινησιν), a Western and Syrian addition to throw light on the word ταραχθη (is troubled) in verse 7.

All of this verse is wanting in the oldest and best manuscripts like Aleph B C D W 33 Old Syriac, Coptic versions, Latin Vulgate. It is undoubtedly added, like the clause in verse 3, to make clearer the statement in verse 7. Tertullian is the earliest writer to mention it. The Jews explained the healing virtues of the intermittent spring by the ministry of angels. But the periodicity of such angelic visits makes it difficult to believe. It is a relief to many to know that the verse is spurious.

Which had been thirty and eight years (τριακοντα κα οκτω ετη εχων). Literally, "having thirty and eight years," "having spent thirty and eight years."