John 5:3

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

John 5:3 describes the scene at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, where Jesus encountered a desperate multitude of sick people. This verse paints a vivid picture of human suffering and the fervent, albeit misguided, hope for physical healing.

Context

This verse sets the stage for one of Jesus' significant miracles. The Pool of Bethesda, located near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, was known for its five porches (John 5:2). It was a gathering place for the sick and infirm due to a popular belief that an angel would periodically stir the water, and the first person to enter after the disturbance would be healed. While verse 4, which explicitly mentions the angel, is not present in some of the earliest manuscripts, the belief itself was clearly prevalent, as evidenced by the "great multitude" waiting for the moving of the water.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Human Suffering and Desperation: The verse highlights the widespread human condition of sickness and infirmity. Terms like "blind, halt, withered" (paralyzed or atrophied) underscore the severe physical limitations and suffering endured by many in that era. This multitude represents the universal longing for relief from pain.
  • Misplaced Hope: The patient waiting for the "moving of the water" reveals a deep longing for healing, but their hope was placed in a superstitious belief rather than in God's direct intervention. This sets up a powerful contrast with Jesus' arrival, who offers true, unmediated healing.
  • The Need for True Healing: This scene prepares the reader for Jesus' encounter with a man who had been ill for 38 years. Jesus' subsequent healing of this man, without the need for the water or any ritual, demonstrates that true power and lasting healing come solely from Him, not from human efforts or popular superstitions.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses evocative terms to describe the sick at the Pool of Bethesda:

  • "Impotent folk": From the Greek astheneō (ἀσθενέω), meaning "to be weak, sick, or infirm." It's a broad term encompassing various physical ailments that rendered people helpless.
  • "Halt": From the Greek chōlos (χωλός), referring specifically to those who are lame or crippled, unable to walk properly.
  • "Withered": From the Greek xēros (ξηρός), meaning "dry" or "parched." In this context, it likely refers to those suffering from paralysis or conditions causing muscle atrophy, where limbs might appear shrunken or lifeless.

Practical Application

John 5:3 reminds us of several timeless truths:

  • God Sees Our Suffering: Even in a vast crowd of suffering people, Jesus saw individuals and their needs. This verse underscores God's awareness of human pain and His compassion for the afflicted. No suffering is unnoticed by Him.
  • True Healing Comes from Christ: While people often seek remedies in various places, this narrative powerfully illustrates that ultimate healing, both physical and spiritual, resides in Jesus Christ. He offers more than temporary relief; He offers abundant life (John 10:10).
  • Beware of Misplaced Hope: This account cautions against placing our hope in mere rituals, traditions, or superstitions rather than in the living God. Our reliance should be on His power and grace alone for true transformation and healing.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

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.
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