TRV
John 5:4
Bible Versions
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.
For {G1063} an angel {G32} went down {G2597} at {G2596} a certain season {G2540} into {G1722} the pool {G2861}, and {G2532} troubled {G5015} the water {G5204}: whosoever then {G3767} first {G4413} after {G3326} the troubling {G5016} of the water {G5204} stepped in {G1684} was made {G1096} whole {G5199} of {G3739} whatsoever {G1221} disease {G3553} he had {G2722}.
No cross-references found for this verse.
John 5:4 (KJV) describes a popular belief surrounding the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, where many sick and infirm people gathered. It suggests that an angel would periodically "trouble" the water, and the first person to enter the pool afterward would be healed of their ailment.
Context
This verse sets the scene for one of Jesus's significant miracles, the healing of a man who had been infirm for thirty-eight years. The narrative immediately following this verse, starting with John 5:5, details Jesus encountering this man at the very same pool. The belief described in verse 4 explains why such a large number of sick people were present, highlighting the desperation and hope for a miraculous cure that permeated the atmosphere of the site.
Linguistic and Textual Insights
It is crucial for understanding John 5:4 that this verse is not found in the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. Scholars generally consider it a later textual addition, likely a marginal note or explanation that was eventually incorporated into the main text in some later manuscripts (such as those used for the KJV, often referred to as the Textus Receptus). Its absence from critical editions of the Greek New Testament (and thus from many modern translations like the NIV, ESV, or NASB) does not diminish the truth of the events that follow, but rather clarifies the textual history. The verse itself reflects a popular tradition of the time, explaining the prevailing belief at the pool, even if the angelic visitation was not part of the original inspired text.
Key Themes
Significance and Application
While the textual integrity of John 5:4 is debated, its inclusion in the KJV serves to highlight the environment in which Jesus operated. It emphasizes the contrast between the superstitious hope of the people and the genuine, transformative power of Christ. Jesus's healing of the paralytic, who had no chance of being "first" into the troubled water, demonstrates that His power is not limited by human traditions or physical limitations. This narrative encourages believers to place their trust in the true source of healing and salvation, Jesus Christ, rather than in rituals or superstitions. It reminds us that Jesus is the ultimate source of life and healing, offering restoration that goes beyond physical ailments to address the deepest needs of the human soul.