John 5:2

Now there is at Jerusalem a pond, called Probatica, which in Hebrew is named Bethsaida, having five porches. Probatica... That is, the sheep pond; either so called, because the sheep were washed therein, that were to be offered up in sacrifice in the temple, or because it was near the sheep gate. That this was a pond where miracles were wrought is evident from the sacred text; and also that the water had no natural virtue to heal, as one only of those put in after the motion of the water was restored to health; for if the water had the healing quality, the others would have the like benefit, being put into it about the same time.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner, 1752)

In The King James Version

Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

In Context

1After these things was a festival day of the Jews: and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

3In these lay a great multitude of sick, of blind, of lame, of withered: waiting for the moving of the water.

Read all of John 5

Cross References

Nehemiah 3:1Then Eliasib the high priest arose, and his brethren the priests, and they built the flock gate: they sanctified it, and set up the doors thereof, even unto the tower of a hundred cubits they sanctified it unto the tower of Hananeel.

Nehemiah 12:39And the two choirs of them that gave praise stood still at the house of God, and I and the half of the magistrates with me.

Isaiah 22:11And you made a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: and you have not looked up to the maker thereof, nor regarded him even at a distance, that wrought it long ago.

John 19:17And bearing his own cross, he went forth to the place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha.

John 20:16Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master).

Matthew Henry on John 5:2-17

The Cure at the Pool of Bethesda. 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 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… Read the whole commentary →

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