Joh 5:1-9 | MHM | STEP | Jesus Heals a Man at the Pool of Bethesda This section tells the story of Jesus healing a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. The man was waiting at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, hoping for a miracle. Jesus’ act of healing on the Sabbath led to controversy with the Jewish leaders, who questioned both the miracle and Jesus’ authority. The passage shows Jesus’ compassion, his divine power, and his claim to be doing the work of God the Father. v. 1 : After a Jewish festival, Jesus went up to Jerusalem (John 5:1 ). This shows that Jesus followed the Jewish customs of attending religious festivals. He used these occasions to teach and help people, showing that God’s work can happen at any time.

‏ John 5:1-9

Jesus Heals a Man at the Pool of Bethesda

This section tells the story of Jesus healing a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. The man was waiting at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, hoping for a miracle. Jesus’ act of healing on the Sabbath led to controversy with the Jewish leaders, who questioned both the miracle and Jesus’ authority. The passage shows Jesus’ compassion, his divine power, and his claim to be doing the work of God the Father.

v. 1: After a Jewish festival, Jesus went up to Jerusalem (John 5:1 ^a). This shows that Jesus followed the Jewish customs of attending religious festivals. He used these occasions to teach and help people, showing that God’s work can happen at any time.

v. 2: In Jerusalem, there was a pool called Bethesda, near the Sheep Gate. Around this pool were five covered porches (John 5:2 ^b). Many sick people gathered there, hoping for healing. The place was well known for its connection with miracles, and people believed that something special happened at this pool.

v. 3: Crowds of people who were blind, lame, or paralyzed lay in these porches, waiting for the water to move (John 5:3 ^c). They believed that when the water was stirred, the first person to enter would be healed. This shows how desperate people were for hope and healing, and how much suffering there was among them.

v. 4: (Some Bible versions include an explanation here that an angel would come down and stir the water, and whoever entered first would be healed of their disease (John 5:4 ^d). This verse helps us understand why the sick people waited so eagerly by the pool, longing for a miracle.)

v. 5: One man at the pool had been sick for thirty-eight years (John 5:5 ^e). He had waited a very long time, unable to find healing. His situation seemed hopeless, and he probably felt forgotten by others.

v. 6: When Jesus saw the man lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for so long, he asked him, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6 ^f). Jesus knew the man’s suffering and cared about him. He asked the question to help the man think about his own hopes and to show his readiness to help.

v. 7: The sick man answered, “Sir, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me” (John 5:7 ^g). The man explained that he had no one to help him, and he always missed his chance. This shows his loneliness and helplessness.

v. 8: Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk” (John 5:8 ^h). With a simple command, Jesus showed his power to heal. He did not need the pool or any special rituals. His word alone was enough to cure the man.

v. 9: At once, the man was healed. He picked up his mat and walked. This miracle happened on the Sabbath day . The healing was immediate and complete. The fact that it happened on the Sabbath led to conflict with the religious leaders, who saw Jesus’ actions as breaking their rules.