Jesus returns to Jerusalem and heals a crippled man
Recall that in chapter 4 Jesus had returned to Galilee because his ministry had been attracting too much attention from the Pharisees (John 4:1-3).
Scene 1 : the pool of Bethesda (vs 1-4)
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
vs 1 – a feast of the Jews
There were three annual feasts for which observant Jews were expected to go to Jerusalem – Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We don’t know which of these feasts is referred to here. However, the reference to people lying outdoors might suggest Pentecost because the weather would have been cooler at Passover and Tabernacles.
vs 2– a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda
Archeological digs have found a pool and porticoes which nicely fit this description, another example of confirmation of John’s trademark geographical details.
vs 4-an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water
Many translations do not include the portion about the moving of the water by an angel. This is because not all manuscripts of the NT Greek text include these verses. Some scholars believe that these verses were not part of the original text. Others argue that these verses are most likely part of the original text, because verse 7 (which all manuscripts include) refers to the waters being stirred, and this reference makes no sense unless the part about the angel stirring the waters is included. I have used the NKJV for this section of John because it includes these verses, and with them the story hangs together better. See further discussion below.
Scene 2 : healing of a crippled man (vs 5-9)
Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
vs 5– thirty-eight years – almost a lifetime. Imagine the resignation that must have set in. This man was probably deeply discouraged.
vs 6 – Do you want to be made well? What thoughts might have been going through the crippled man’s mind when Jesus asked him this question?
vs 7 – Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred … another steps down before me, What state of mind do these words this reflect? What was this man’s expectation and experience concerning the availability of the grace of God?
vs 8 – Rise, take up your bed, and walk – What happened when Jesus spoke these words?
vs 9 – Immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked – What a contrast between the religious tradition (which said that healing was possible but intermittent and only for a few) and the ministry of Jesus which grants immediate access to the goodness of God.
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- the man’s faith was weak and almost non-existent
- he was clinging to a religious tradition that kept him in captivity because it was all he had
- he wanted healing but didn’t expect it
- he was completely unable to help himself in any way – his best attempts were useless
- Jesus gave him a free and totally unexpected gift
vs 9 – And that day was the Sabbath – See Mark 2:27. Why is this significant?
Scene 3 : reaction of the Jewish authorities (vs 10-13)
The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ” Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place.
vs 10 – the Jews therefore said to him – when John uses the phrase the Jews he is referring to the Jewish authorities. The man who was cured was also a Jew, as were all the characters in the story.
vs 10 – It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed – The Torah did not specifically say anything about carrying one’s mat on the Sabbath. It was the tradition of the elders (see Matthew 15:2-3) that laid down these interpretive rules which made the Law seem so burdensome. They were so focussed on their religious rules that they hardly noticed the wonderful miracle of the man’s healing.
vs 13 – for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place – Jesus was still trying to avoid too much attention from the authorities. His time had not yet come (see John 7:6 )
Scene 4 : Jesus finds the healed man in the Temple (vs 14-15)
Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
vs 14 – Afterward Jesus found him in the temple – Why did Jesus go and look for this man? Why do you think the man was in the temple?
vs 14 – “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” – Why did Jesus say this? What do you think he meant by a worse thing? Why did he consider it important to tell the man this? Would this be considered acceptable speech in today’s culture?
Reflection
This man was completely helpless and yet Jesus healed him and empowered him to walk. What does this tell you about your own salvation?
