A.T. Robertson 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)

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.