Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 5:7

"The sick 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." — John 5:7 (ASV)

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,

Shuffling along, as best I can, to the water's edge—

Another steppeth down before me.

Then, of course, the curative miracle is worked, and the curative power of the water is gone until another season, when the angel troubles it again.