What is the pool of Bethesda and why were sick people gathered there?

The pool of Bethesda was a water pool in Jerusalem, near the sheep gate, with five porches where many sick, blind, lame, and withered people stayed. They believed that at certain times an angel stirred the water and that the first person to step in afterward would be healed of any disease. Because of this, a great crowd of suffering people waited there, hoping for a change in their condition. The place is called Bethesda, meaning something like a house of mercy or of pouring out, which fits the scene of many needy people seeking God’s help.

Why did Jesus ask, “Wilt thou be made whole?” to the man who was infirm?

Jesus’ question to the man who had been sick for thirty‑eight years was not because he did not know the answer. He already knew the man had been in that condition a long time. By asking, “Wilt thou be made whole?” Jesus brought the man’s desire and helplessness into the open. The man’s reply shows his discouragement and loneliness, saying he had no one to help him into the pool. The question invites him to look beyond the troubled water to Jesus himself, who heals him by a simple command, showing that real healing comes from Christ’s word, not from human effort.

Why did the Jews complain about the man carrying his bed on the sabbath?

When the healed man carried his bed on the sabbath, the Jewish leaders focused on their rules about rest. They said, “It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.” Instead of rejoicing that a man lame for thirty‑eight years now walked, they were upset about what they saw as work. This shows how their strict and narrow view of the law had become more important to them than mercy. Jesus later explains that his works are the Father’s works, and that God’s saving work is not a breach of the sabbath but the very thing that honors the Father.

What does this passage teach about Jesus’ relationship with the Father?

Jesus speaks very plainly about his unity with the Father. He says the Son can do nothing of himself, but only what he sees the Father do, and that whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. He says the Father loves the Son, shows him all he does, and has given him power to raise the dead and to judge. He even says that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The leaders understand this as making himself equal with God, and Jesus does not deny it. Instead, he explains that the Father works through him in all things.

What does it mean to have passed from death unto life in this passage?

Jesus says that whoever hears his word and believes in the One who sent him has everlasting life and has passed from death to life. This means that a person who truly listens to Jesus and trusts the Father who sent him is no longer under condemnation. They move, even now, from a state of spiritual death to spiritual life. This is not just about the future resurrection, though that is included, but about a present change. The person is no longer under God’s judgment as an enemy but is accepted and alive to God because of faith in Christ.

What are the “resurrection of life” and the “resurrection of damnation”?

Jesus says that a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come out. He speaks of two outcomes. Those who have done good will rise to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of damnation. Doing good here is the fruit of hearing and believing his word, not earning salvation by works. The point is that everyone will be raised, but not in the same way. There will be a final separation, with some entering everlasting life with God and others facing judgment because they refused the life offered in Christ.

Why does Jesus say the Father has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of man?

Jesus says the Father has given him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of man. This shows that the one who will judge the world is not only truly God but also truly human. As Son of man, he has walked among us, suffered, and been tempted, yet without sin. The Father has appointed him as the visible judge, so that the same Jesus who was rejected, crucified, and raised will call all from the graves. His human nature does not lessen his power. Rather, it makes him the fitting and appointed judge of all people.

What does Jesus mean when he says, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life”?

Jesus speaks to people who were very familiar with the sacred writings and thought that careful study of them gave them eternal life. He tells them to search the Scriptures, because those very writings testify about him. The problem is not that they value Scripture, but that they refuse to come to the one Scripture points to. They know the words but miss the person. He adds that if they truly believed Moses, they would believe him, because Moses wrote of him. So this passage shows that the Scriptures are meant to lead people to Christ, not be an end in themselves.

Why did the healed man receive a warning from Jesus to “sin no more”?

After the healing, Jesus finds the man in the temple and says, “Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” This shows that Jesus cares about more than physical health. The healing was a mercy, but the man also needed to think about his soul. While not every sickness is directly linked to a specific sin, Jesus here connects this man’s life with the danger of sin’s results. A “worse thing” points to judgment and eternal loss. The warning teaches that being made well should lead to repentance and a changed life, not a return to old ways.

Why is this passage important for understanding faith and unbelief?

This passage sets a strong contrast. On one side is a helpless man who can do nothing for himself and is healed by Jesus’ word. On the other side are religious leaders who know Scripture, keep feast days, and argue about the sabbath, yet refuse to believe in the One sent by the Father. Jesus lists clear witnesses to who he is: John, his miracles, the Father’s voice, Scripture, and Moses. Still, they will not come to him for life. It shows that unbelief is not just a lack of information but a heart that seeks human honor and will not accept God’s way in Christ.

John.5.1

John 5:1

KJV

After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

The Pool of Bethesda

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

7 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, another steppeth down before me.

8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

The Father and the Son

16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Testimonies about Jesus

31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

The Witness of Scripture

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

41 I receive not honour from men.

42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.