The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda is a significant miracle performed by Jesus, recorded only in the Gospel of John (John 5:1-15). This account not only showcases Jesus’ compassion and divine power but also serves as a crucial moment in His ministry where He challenges legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath.
The Biblical Passage (John 5:1-15,)
The Setting
John 5:1-2
“After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.”
Jesus travels to Jerusalem for a Jewish festival and visits the Pool of Bethesda, a site known for its healing properties.
The Infirm Man
John 5:3-5
“In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 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. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.”
A man who had been disabled for 38 years lay by the pool, hoping to be healed. The belief was that an angel stirred the waters, and the first person to step in afterward would be healed.
Jesus’ Question and the Man’s Response
John 5:6-7
“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? 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.”
Jesus, knowing the man’s long suffering, asks if he wants to be healed. The man expresses his helplessness—he cannot get to the pool in time.
The Miracle
John 5:8-9
“Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”
With a simple command, Jesus heals the man instantly, demonstrating His divine authority over sickness and limitations.
The Controversy with the Jewish Leaders
John 5:10-12
“The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?”
Rather than rejoicing in the miracle, the Jewish leaders accuse the man of violating the Sabbath by carrying his bed. They focus on legalistic rules rather than the grace of God.
Jesus’ Warning
John 5:14
“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.”
Jesus later finds the man in the temple and warns him not to sin anymore, suggesting that spiritual health is just as important as physical healing.
The Man Identifies Jesus
John 5:15
“The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.”
The healed man informs the religious leaders that Jesus was the one who healed him, further escalating tensions between Jesus and the authorities.
Historical and Archaeological Context
- The Pool of Bethesda was a real place in Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate. Archaeological excavations have uncovered its structure, confirming the biblical description.
- The pool was used for ritual purification and was believed to have healing properties.
- The five porticoes mentioned in John’s Gospel match the ruins found in Jerusalem today.
Theological Significance
1. Jesus as the Source of True Healing
- The Pool of Bethesda symbolized human effort and superstition.
- Jesus demonstrates that healing does not come from a ritual or a pool but from Him alone.
2. Authority Over the Sabbath
- Jewish leaders accused Jesus of breaking Sabbath laws by healing and commanding the man to carry his bed.
- Jesus shows that doing good on the Sabbath is not a violation but a fulfillment of God’s purpose.
3. Faith and Obedience
- The man obeyed Jesus without question, showing faith and trust in God’s word.
- Healing often requires not only physical change but also spiritual transformation.
4. Sin and Consequences
- Jesus warns the healed man to “sin no more”, implying that his past life may have contributed to his suffering.
- This aligns with biblical teachings that sin can bring consequences, though not all suffering is due to sin.
Lessons for Today
1. Trust in God’s Timing
- The man waited 38 years for healing. We, too, must trust God’s perfect timing in our struggles.
2. Jesus Seeks the Needy
- The man did not call out to Jesus—Jesus came to him.
- This reminds us that God reaches out to us first, even when we feel forgotten.
3. Healing is More Than Physical
- Jesus healed the man’s body, but He was also concerned about his soul.
- True healing comes when we are restored spiritually.
4. Religion vs. Relationship
- The Jewish leaders were more concerned with rules than with a miraculous healing.
- Jesus shows that our relationship with God is greater than legalistic rituals.
Conclusion
The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda is a powerful story of hope, divine authority, and spiritual renewal. Jesus not only restores physical health but also calls for a transformation of the heart. The story challenges us to put our faith in Christ alone, trust in His timing, and prioritize grace over legalism.