Charles Ellicott Commentary John 5:13

"But he that was healed knew not who it was; for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the place." — John 5:13 (ASV)

For Jesus had conveyed himself away.—The second clause of this verse, as the marginal note shows, was not intended by our translators to convey the impression that a crowd had assembled around the scene of the miracle, and that, to avoid this, Jesus departed from the place. In that case, the man must have known who He was.

However, the English text probably conveys this meaning to most readers, and it would be better to provide a freer rendering—For Jesus disappeared among the multitude which was in the place.

The presence of the multitude is not given as the reason for His departure, but as explaining the fact that He moved on with them after speaking to the man, and was thus unknown to him.