John 5:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

In {G1722} these {G5025} lay {G2621} a great {G4183} multitude {G4128} of impotent folk {G770}, of blind {G5185}, halt {G5560}, withered {G3584}, waiting for {G1551} the moving {G2796} of the water {G5204}.

Complete Jewish Bible

in which lay a crowd of invalids — blind, lame, crippled.

Berean Standard Bible

On these walkways lay a great number of the sick, the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed.

American Standard Version

In these lay a multitude of them that were sick, blind, halt, withered.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 5:3 vividly portrays the scene at the Pool of Bethesda, where a vast assembly of individuals afflicted with various debilitating conditions—the sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed—lay in desperate hope. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent miraculous healing, highlighting the profound human suffering and the fervent, yet ultimately misguided, expectation placed upon a natural phenomenon for supernatural relief.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the opening scene of [John chapter 5](/john/5 "John 5 - Healing at Bethesda and Jesus' Authority"). It immediately follows the description of the Pool of Bethesda itself, with its five covered porches ([John 5:2](/john/5-2 "John 5:2 - The Pool of Bethesda")). The "great multitude" mentioned here directly precedes Jesus' encounter with a particular man who had been ill for thirty-eight years ([John 5:5](/john/5-5 "John 5:5 - The Man Ill for 38 Years")). The detailed description of the afflicted population establishes the profound need that Jesus, as the divine healer, is about to address, setting up the dramatic contrast between human futility and divine power. The healing on the Sabbath ([John 5:9](/john/5-9 "John 5:9 - The Man is Healed")) then leads directly into the escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish authorities, a major theme of the chapter.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pool of Bethesda was a well-known site in Jerusalem, located near the Sheep Gate. Archaeological excavations have confirmed the existence of a pool complex with five porticoes, lending historical credence to John's account. Culturally, there was a widespread belief, explicitly mentioned in some manuscripts in [John 5:4](/john/5-4 "John 5:4 - The Angel Stirring the Water"), that an angel would periodically stir the water, and the first person to enter after the disturbance would be healed. While the authenticity of verse 4 is debated among textual critics, the *belief* it describes was undoubtedly prevalent and essential to understanding why such a "multitude" gathered there, patiently enduring their suffering in anticipation of this specific, ritualistic healing. This context underscores the desperate measures people would take for physical relief and the common reliance on superstitious practices in the absence of true divine revelation.

* **Key Themes:** John 5:3 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of John. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **human suffering and brokenness**, presenting a stark image of the physical and emotional toll of disease in the ancient world. The detailed list of ailments ("impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered") emphasizes the pervasive nature of infirmity and the universal longing for healing. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **misplaced hope**; the multitude's patient "waiting for the moving of the water" reveals a deep yearning for deliverance, yet their hope is fixed on a superstitious belief rather than on the true source of life and healing. This sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His **divine authority and power** over sickness and tradition, offering unmediated healing that transcends human rituals and expectations. The subsequent controversy over healing on the Sabbath ([John 5:16](/john/5-16 "John 5:16 - Persecution for Healing on the Sabbath")) further develops the theme of Jesus' authority over the Law and His identity as the Son of God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **impotent folk (Greek, _asthenéō'_):** Derived from the Greek G770, this term signifies "to be feeble," "to be sick," or "to be weak." It is a broad descriptor encompassing various physical ailments that rendered individuals helpless or without strength, highlighting their inability to act or recover on their own.
* **withered (Greek, _xērós'_):** From the Greek G3584, meaning "dry" or "parched." In this medical context, it refers to conditions characterized by atrophy, paralysis, or the shriveling of limbs, suggesting a loss of vitality and function, much like a plant that has dried up.
* **waiting for (Greek, _ekdéchomai'_):** From the Greek G1551, this verb means "to accept from some source" and, by implication, "to await," "expect," or "look for." It conveys a sense of patient, persistent anticipation, underscoring the deep-seated hope, however misguided, that compelled these suffering individuals to remain at the pool.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In these lay a great multitude":** This phrase refers to the five porches (stoas) mentioned in the preceding verse ([John 5:2](/john/5-2 "John 5:2 - The Pool of Bethesda")) that surrounded the Pool of Bethesda. The use of "great multitude" (Greek: _polys plethos_) emphasizes the sheer number of people gathered, underscoring the widespread suffering and desperation prevalent in that society and the immense need for divine intervention.
* **"of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered":** This is a specific and poignant enumeration of the types of afflictions suffered by the multitude. "Impotent folk" refers to those who were weak or sick, encompassing a general state of feebleness. "Blind" refers to those without sight. "Halt" (or lame) describes those unable to walk properly due to crippled limbs. "Withered" denotes those suffering from paralysis or atrophy, where limbs had become shrunken and lifeless. Together, these terms paint a comprehensive picture of severe physical disability and human helplessness.
* **"waiting for the moving of the water":** This final clause reveals the specific reason for their gathering and their collective hope. It points to the popular belief that the water of the pool would periodically be stirred, and the first person to enter it after this "moving" would be healed. This highlights a blend of desperate hope and superstitious belief, setting the stage for Jesus to demonstrate a healing power that transcends such rituals and human expectations.

#### Literary Devices
John 5:3 masterfully employs **Imagery** to create a vivid and poignant scene. The description of the "great multitude" comprising "impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered" paints a stark and unforgettable picture of widespread human suffering and physical brokenness. This detailed enumeration of ailments appeals directly to the reader's senses, evoking a strong sense of **Pathos** and compassion for the afflicted. The collective action of "waiting for the moving of the water" adds a layer of **Symbolism**, representing humanity's desperate search for healing and hope, often in external or ritualistic means. This scene also serves as powerful **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for Jesus' miraculous intervention, which will dramatically contrast the futility of human superstition with the immediate, sovereign power of the Son of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 5:3 serves as a profound theological statement about the pervasive nature of human brokenness and the limitations of human remedies. The "great multitude" of the sick and infirm gathered at Bethesda represents all humanity, yearning for deliverance from suffering and the effects of sin. Their desperate "waiting for the moving of the water" underscores the human tendency to seek healing and salvation through external rituals, superstitions, or self-effort, rather than recognizing the true source of life and restoration. This scene powerfully prepares the reader for Jesus' arrival, demonstrating that genuine healing—physical, emotional, and spiritual—originates not from a stirred pool, but from the direct, compassionate, and authoritative intervention of God Himself, who alone can address the deepest needs of the human condition.

* [Psalm 146:8](/psalms/146-8 "Psalm 146:8 - The Lord Gives Sight to the Blind"): "The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous."
* [Matthew 11:5](/matthew/11-5 "Matthew 11:5 - Jesus' Works Confirm His Identity"): "The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them."
* [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - Prophecy of Healing in the Kingdom"): "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 5:3 offers a poignant mirror for our own lives and the human condition. Just as the "great multitude" lay at the Pool of Bethesda, we too often find ourselves in states of "impotence," "blindness" to truth, "halted" in our spiritual walk, or "withered" by life's trials and the effects of sin. This verse reminds us that God sees our suffering, our limitations, and our desperate longing for relief, even when we place our hope in inadequate or misguided sources. It challenges us to examine where we are "waiting for the moving of the water"—what external remedies, human efforts, or cultural superstitions do we rely on instead of turning directly to Christ? True healing, spiritual vitality, and abundant life are not found in rituals or fleeting circumstances, but in the living presence and power of Jesus. He is the one who steps into our helplessness, sees our individual needs amidst the crowd, and offers a transformative touch that goes beyond mere physical restoration, addressing the deepest needs of our soul.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "impotent," "blind," "halt," or "withered," and how are you seeking healing or strength?**
* **What "waters" or external sources do you sometimes wait for, hoping for a solution, instead of bringing your needs directly to Jesus?**
* **How does Jesus' compassion for the multitude at Bethesda encourage you in your own struggles or in your ministry to others?**

### FAQ
**What does "impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered" specifically describe about the people at the Pool of Bethesda?**

Answer: This phrase provides a comprehensive and vivid description of the severe physical disabilities afflicting the "great multitude" gathered at the Pool of Bethesda. "Impotent folk" (from the Greek _asthenéō_) refers to those who were generally weak, feeble, or sick, encompassing a broad range of debilitating illnesses that rendered individuals helpless. "Blind" (Greek _typhlós_) refers to those who had lost their sight. "Halt" (Greek _chōlós_) describes individuals who were lame or crippled, unable to walk properly. "Withered" (Greek _xērós_) refers to those suffering from conditions like paralysis or muscle atrophy, where limbs might appear shrunken, dried up, or lifeless. Together, these terms paint a stark picture of the widespread and profound physical suffering that Jesus encountered, highlighting the desperate need for divine intervention in a world marked by disease and infirmity. This detailed description underscores the depth of human brokenness that only Christ could fully address, as seen in His subsequent healing of the man who had been ill for thirty-eight years ([John 5:5-9](/john/5-5-9 "John 5:5-9 - Jesus Heals the Man at Bethesda")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 5:3, with its poignant depiction of the suffering multitude "waiting for the moving of the water," profoundly foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The pool at Bethesda, with its intermittent and uncertain promise of healing, stands in stark contrast to Jesus, who is the true and constant source of life and healing. While the people placed their hope in a superstitious belief about stirred water, Jesus arrives as the living water Himself, offering a boundless and ever-flowing wellspring of spiritual and physical restoration ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus Offers Living Water")). He is the one who, unlike the pool, does not require a specific moment or a race to be first, but offers grace and healing freely to all who come to Him. The physical infirmities described in the verse—blindness, lameness, and withered bodies—are not only literal ailments but also symbolic of humanity's spiritual condition apart from Christ. He is the one who gives sight to the spiritually blind, enables the spiritually lame to walk in obedience, and brings life to those withered by sin and despair. Jesus embodies the prophetic promise of the Suffering Servant who would bear our infirmities and carry our diseases ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - Christ Bears Our Sicknesses")), ultimately offering not just temporary physical relief but eternal life and complete transformation for all who believe in Him. His presence at Bethesda signifies that the true "moving of the water" is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which flows from Him, bringing rivers of living water to all who thirst ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")), culminating in the eternal river of the water of life in the New Jerusalem ([Revelation 22:1-2](/revelation/22-1-2 "Revelation 22:1-2 - The River of the Water of Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 3:1

¶ And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

Mark 3:4

And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

Matthew 15:30

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them [those that were] lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

Luke 7:22

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

Lamentations 3:26

[It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Zechariah 11:17

Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword [shall be] upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Proverbs 8:34

Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.