John, Chapter 5
The Healing at Bethesda
5 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now in Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, there is a pool which in Hebrew is called Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these porticoes lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, limping, or paralyzed.
- After these things (what things? Jesus had met a royal official who’s son lay sick at Capernaum (which means - the field of repentance; City of comfort) ; Jesus healed the man son’s in the 7th hour. (the hour of completion and rest); the official believed the word Jesus spoke and his son was healed; the official later believed in Jesus and his house was saved)
- There was a feast of the Jews (we don’t know which feast) but it was important enough that Jesus went up to Jerusalem)
- Now in Jerusalem (City of peace; In awe of peace; teaching peace)
- By the Sheep Gate (the place where sheep would be brought to be sacrificed)
- There was a pool which in Hebrew is called Bethesda (house of mercy)
- Having five porticoes (five is the number for grace)
- In architecture a "porch" is strictly an exterior structure forming a covered approach to the entrance of a building; a "portico" is an ambulatory, consisting of a roof supported by columns placed at regular intervals--a roofed colonnade.
- Notice their description of being ambulatory (for those needing an ambulance)
- in these porticoes lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, limping or paralyzed (how many is a multitude?) It seems a like a large number of people who truly needed:
o the field of repentance; the City of comfort
o healing by Jesus in the 7th hour
o salvation spiritually not just physically along with their whole families
o in order to come to the feast with Jesus
o in the city of Peace
5 Now a man was there who had been [f]ill for thirty-eight years. 6 Jesus, upon seeing this man lying there and knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time, *said to him, “Do you want to get well?”
- Now a man was there who had been ill for thirty eight years (this is a very long time and the man was likely feeling like giving up or that he had no hope)
- Jesus upon seeing this man lying there knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time (Jesus shows us suddenly; sees the man lying there which means He saw him and singled him out of the crowd (focused His eyes on him)
- Said to him “Do you want to get well?” (so too, Jesus will show us just when you’re about to give up or feel there is no hope; just then; Jesus will show us and ask you do you want to get well?”
7 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.” 8 Jesus *said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.
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