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Verse Takeaways
1
A Likely Later Addition
Multiple scholars (Robertson, Ellicott, Expositor's) note that the phrase 'waiting for the moving of the water' and all of verse 4 are missing from the oldest and best manuscripts. They are widely considered a later addition to the text, likely a note added to explain the popular belief about the pool, which was then incorporated into the scripture over time.
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Book Overview
John
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Commentaries
9
Albert Barnes
On John 5:3
18th Century
Theologian
Impotent folk. Sick people; or people who were weak and feeble from a long-lasting disease. The word means those who were fee…
AT Robertson
On John 5:3
In these (εν ταυταις). In these five porches.
Lay (κατεκειτο). Imperfect middle of κατακειμα, to lie down,…
Charles Ellicott
On John 5:3
19th Century
Bishop
In these lay a great multitude.—The word great before multitude, and the latter clause of the verse waiting for the m…
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Charles Spurgeon
On John 5:3
19th Century
Preacher
In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk,
Disabled people, diseased, and scarcely able to move.
Of blind, halt, wi…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On John 5:3
Excavations have located this pool in the northwest corner of old Jerusalem. It was surrounded by a colonnade on all four sides and down the middle…
John Calvin
On John 5:3
16th Century
Theologian
In these lay a great multitude. It is possible that diseased persons lay in the porches to ask for alms when the people who were going int…
John Gill
On John 5:3
17th Century
Pastor
In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk
Sick and weak persons; who were an emblem of men under the law of wo…
Matthew Henry
On John 5:1–9
17th Century
Minister
We are all by nature impotent people in spiritual things: blind, lame, and withered. However, full provision is made for our cure, if we pay attent…