John 5:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 5:4, as found in the King James Version, describes the popular belief surrounding the Pool of Bethesda, where it was thought that an angel periodically stirred the water, and the first person to enter afterward would be miraculously healed of any ailment. This verse serves to explain the significant gathering of infirm people at the pool, setting the stage for Jesus's encounter with a paralytic man and His subsequent demonstration of sovereign healing power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the broader narrative of [John 5](/john/5 "John 5 - Jesus Heals at Bethesda and Claims Divinity"). It immediately follows the description of a "great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered" gathered at the Pool of Bethesda in [John 5:3](/john/5-3 "John 5:3 - Multitude at Bethesda"). Verse 4 functions as an explanatory clause, clarifying *why* such a large number of sick individuals congregated there: they believed in a specific, divinely-ordained method of healing tied to the disturbance of the water. The narrative then directly proceeds to Jesus's encounter with the man who had been ill for thirty-eight years, beginning in [John 5:5](/john/5-5 "John 5:5 - The Paralytic Man"). Thus, John 5:4 provides the crucial background for understanding the setting and the desperation of the people Jesus encounters, highlighting the contrast between their superstitious hope and His immediate, sovereign power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pool of Bethesda was a real site in Jerusalem, known for its five porticoes, which provided shelter for the infirm. In the ancient world, many cultures held beliefs about the healing properties of certain springs or bodies of water, often attributing these powers to divine or semi-divine beings. It was common for the sick to gather at such sites, hoping for a cure. The Jewish people, with their rich tradition of angelic encounters and divine intervention, might have readily embraced a belief in an angel troubling the waters, seeing it as a specific manifestation of God's mercy. This cultural context of seeking physical healing through ritualistic or divinely-appointed means is vital for understanding the scene. It underscores the prevalent human longing for relief from suffering and the diverse ways people sought it, often blending genuine faith with popular superstition.
* **Key Themes:** John 5:4, despite its textual history (discussed further in the FAQ), introduces several key themes that resonate throughout the chapter and the Gospel of John. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **human desperation and the search for healing**. The multitude gathered at the pool represents the universal human condition of suffering and the fervent desire for relief. Secondly, it sets up a powerful contrast between **popular belief/superstition and divine sovereignty**. The belief in a mechanical, "first-come, first-served" healing process stands in stark opposition to Jesus's unmerited, immediate, and unconditional healing, as seen in [John 5:8-9](/john/5-8-9 "John 5:8-9 - Jesus Heals the Paralytic"). This contrast underscores the theme of Jesus's authority and His ability to transcend human limitations and expectations, demonstrating that true healing comes not from a ritual or a chance encounter but from His direct, life-giving word, as He declares in [John 5:21](/john/5-21 "John 5:21 - The Son Gives Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **angel (Greek, _ángelos'_):** (G32) The term refers to a "messenger," specifically a divine messenger. In this context, it signifies a supernatural being sent by God, whose activity (troubling the water) was believed to be the catalyst for healing. The belief in angelic involvement underscores a popular understanding of divine intervention, where God's power was mediated through specific, observable phenomena.
* **troubled (Greek, _tarássō'_):** (G5015) This verb means "to stir or agitate," particularly referring to the roiling of water. It implies a visible, physical disturbance of the pool's surface. The act of troubling the water was seen as the direct sign of the angel's presence and the activation of the water's healing properties, making it the critical moment for those seeking a cure.
* **whole (Greek, _hygiḗs'_):** (G5199) Meaning "healthy" or "sound," this word describes the state of complete restoration from disease. It signifies not merely an alleviation of symptoms but a full recovery. The promise of being "made whole" highlights the profound desire for complete physical restoration among the infirm, a desire that Jesus ultimately fulfills in a way that transcends the limitations of the pool.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool,"**: This clause introduces the supernatural agent and the timing of the supposed healing phenomenon. The phrase "at a certain season" suggests a periodic, perhaps unpredictable, occurrence, adding to the sense of urgency and competition among the sick. The angel's descent indicates a direct, divine initiation of the healing process.
* **"and troubled the water:"**: This describes the specific action attributed to the angel, the visible agitation of the water. This physical disturbance was the signal, the outward manifestation of the divine power believed to be at work, transforming the water into a conduit of healing.
* **"whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."**: This final clause outlines the condition for healing and its immediate, comprehensive result. The emphasis on being "first" highlights the competitive and limited nature of this perceived healing method. It suggests a narrow window of opportunity and a "survival of the fittest" dynamic, where only the quickest could receive the cure, regardless of the severity of their suffering. The promise of being "made whole of whatsoever disease he had" indicates a universal efficacy for any ailment, once the condition was met.

#### Literary Devices
John 5:4 primarily employs **Explanation** and **Foreshadowing**. It explains the prevailing belief that drew the multitude to the pool, providing crucial context for Jesus's subsequent miracle. This explanation, while reflecting a popular tradition, also subtly **Foreshadows** the inadequacy of human-devised or limited means of healing. The competitive, "first-come, first-served" nature of the pool's supposed healing stands in stark contrast to Jesus's effortless and unconditional healing of the paralytic, who had no hope of being first. The verse also uses **Imagery** to paint a vivid picture of the agitated water and the desperate scramble of the infirm, making the scene palpable for the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while textually debated, serves a crucial theological purpose within the narrative, highlighting the contrast between human striving and divine grace. The belief described in John 5:4 represents a common human tendency to seek God's blessings through ritualistic actions, chance, or works-based efforts. It portrays a system of healing that is limited, competitive, and ultimately insufficient for the vast majority of those in need. This sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate a radically different kind of divine intervention—one that is sovereign, unmerited, and available to all, regardless of their ability to "step in first." It underscores that true healing, both physical and spiritual, flows from the boundless compassion and authority of Christ, not from adherence to a prescribed method or a stroke of luck.

* [Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25-34 "Mark 5:25-34 - The Woman with the Issue of Blood")
* [Luke 13:10-17](/luke/13-10-17 "Luke 13:10-17 - Healing on the Sabbath")
* [Acts 3:1-10](/acts/3-1-10 "Acts 3:1-10 - Peter Heals a Lame Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 5:4, even as a popular tradition, speaks to the universal human experience of suffering and the deep longing for healing and wholeness. It reminds us that people, in their desperation, will cling to any glimmer of hope, even if it's based on superstition or a limited understanding of divine power. For us today, this verse challenges us to examine where we place our hope for true restoration. Do we rely on our own efforts, on specific rituals, or on a "first-come, first-served" mentality in our spiritual walk? Or do we, like the paralytic who could not help himself, recognize our utter dependence on Christ's sovereign grace? The narrative following this verse powerfully demonstrates that Jesus's power is not bound by human limitations, traditions, or even physical barriers. He offers healing that transcends the physical, reaching into the deepest needs of the soul, providing a wholeness that no troubled water or human effort could ever achieve. Our trust should be in the Person of Jesus, who is the ultimate source of life and healing, not in external circumstances or humanly conceived methods.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I tend to place my hope for healing or resolution in difficult situations?**
* **How might I be tempted to rely on "stepping in first" or on my own efforts rather than on God's sovereign grace?**
* **In what ways does Jesus's healing of the paralytic challenge my understanding of how God works?**
* **How can I more fully trust in Jesus as the ultimate source of my physical, emotional, and spiritual wholeness?**

### FAQ
**Is John 5:4 found in all ancient manuscripts of the Bible?**

Answer: No, John 5:4 is notably absent from the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, such as Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus. It is present in later manuscripts, particularly those that form the basis of the Textus Receptus, which was used for the King James Version. Scholars widely consider it a later textual addition, likely a marginal note or explanation that was eventually incorporated into the main text by scribes. This is why many modern translations (like the NIV, ESV, NASB) either omit the verse entirely or include it in brackets with a textual note, indicating its dubious authenticity in the original inspired text. However, its inclusion in the KJV reflects a popular tradition of the time, explaining the belief system surrounding the pool that is otherwise implied by the presence of many sick people in [John 5:3](/john/5-3 "John 5:3 - Multitude at Bethesda").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While John 5:4 describes a popular belief rather than a direct divine command, it powerfully sets the stage for the Christ-centered fulfillment of humanity's deepest longings. The desperate hope invested in the "troubled water" at Bethesda foreshadows the true source of living water found in Jesus. The physical healing promised by the pool, limited and competitive as it was, points to the comprehensive and unmerited healing offered by Christ. Jesus, by healing the paralytic who had no hope of entering the water first, demonstrates that His power is not bound by human rituals or physical limitations. He is the ultimate "troubler" of stagnant waters, not through an angel, but through His very presence and divine authority, bringing life where there was only infirmity. This miracle, set against the backdrop of the pool's superstition, reveals Jesus as the one who gives true life and wholeness, not based on human effort or timing, but on His sovereign will and grace, as He declares in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life"). He is the fountain of living water that truly cleanses and restores, fulfilling the spiritual thirst that the physical desire for healing at Bethesda only hinted at, offering a salvation that is freely given to all who believe, as proclaimed in [John 4:13-14](/john/4-13-14 "John 4:13-14 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman"). The hope for healing, however misguided at the pool, finds its ultimate and perfect realization in the Person of Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the 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.