John 5:4 – [“From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease they had.”]

Extended Explanation

John 5:4 is an unusual verse because it does not appear in the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts of the Gospel of John. Many modern Bible translations either omit it or place it in a footnote. This is because scholars believe it was a later addition meant to explain the belief of the people gathered at the Pool of Bethesda.

The verse describes a superstition that from time to time, an angel would stir the water, and the first person to enter the pool would be healed. While the Bible does record angels as messengers of God and sometimes as instruments of divine intervention, this verse does not match other biblical descriptions of how God heals.

The fact that so many sick and disabled people gathered at Bethesda shows their desperation. Whether or not an angel truly stirred the water, the people believed it could bring them healing. However, as we see later in the chapter, Jesus—not the water—was the true source of healing.

Historical Context

The Pool of Bethesda was a real place in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate. Archaeologists have uncovered its remains, showing that it had two large pools surrounded by five covered colonnades, just as John describes.

In the first century, many people believed that certain natural springs had healing properties. The idea of special waters having miraculous effects was common not only among the Jews but also in Greek and Roman cultures. Bethesda may have been a place where people came hoping for healing through both religious tradition and natural means.

The reference to an angel stirring the water may reflect a local tradition rather than a historical event. The Bible teaches that God can and does use angels, but it does not support the idea of salvation or healing being based on a race to get into a pool first. Jesus’ healing of the paralyzed man later in this chapter stands in contrast to the belief that only the “first one in” could be healed—Jesus heals freely, without competition.

Theological Implications

1. God’s Healing is Not a Contest – If this superstition were true, only one person at a time could receive healing. But Jesus does not limit His mercy—He offers healing and salvation to all who believe.
2. Faith in Rituals vs. Faith in Christ – The people at Bethesda were trusting in a process rather than a person. Many people today still rely on religious traditions, rituals, or “special” places instead of putting their faith in Jesus Himself.
3. Jesus is Greater than Superstition – Whether or not the stirring of the waters actually happened, Jesus proved that real healing comes from Him, not from any magical or superstitious event.

Literary Analysis

If John 5:4 was a later addition, it was likely meant to clarify why the sick were waiting by the pool. However, this explanation does not match the overall message of John’s Gospel, which consistently teaches that healing and salvation come through Jesus alone.

John often uses contrast in his writing. In this passage, the contrast is between human beliefs (waiting for water to move) and divine power (Jesus healing with a word). This highlights the theme of faith—should people put their trust in religious traditions, or in Jesus?

Biblical Cross-References

• 2 Kings 5:10-14 – Naaman was healed when he washed in the Jordan River, but it was obedience to God’s word, not the water itself, that healed him.
• Mark 5:25-34 – The woman with the issue of blood was healed by her faith in Jesus, not by touching His robe as an act of superstition.
• Exodus 15:26 – God declares Himself to be the one who heals His people, showing that healing comes from Him, not from certain places or objects.
• John 7:37-38 – Jesus later declares that He is the source of “living water,” reinforcing that true life and healing come from Him.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Many people today still put their faith in things other than Jesus for healing—whether it’s religious rituals, lucky charms, self-help strategies, or even human wisdom. While God can use different means to bring healing, this verse reminds us that our faith should not be in rituals or traditions, but in Christ alone.

It also warns against a mindset of competition in receiving God’s blessings. The people at Bethesda believed that only the first one in the water could be healed, but Jesus does not work that way. His grace is abundant, and His mercy is not limited to the “fastest” or the “strongest.”

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is not based on human effort. The belief at Bethesda was that healing was available only to the first person who entered the water. But Jesus’ love is not limited or restricted. He heals and restores because of His grace, not because of our ability to act first.

God does not make us compete for His blessings—He freely offers salvation, healing, and restoration to all who come to Him in faith.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus’ healing of the paralyzed man in John 5 shows that He alone has the power to restore. The Pool of Bethesda, with all its traditions and superstitions, was powerless to heal the man—but Jesus was not.

• John 14:6 – Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Healing, salvation, and hope come only through Him.
• Matthew 11:28 – Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, rather than striving to earn healing or salvation.
• Acts 4:12 – Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus.

This passage is a reminder that human attempts at healing or salvation always fall short, but Jesus is the true source of life.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think so many people were waiting at Bethesda rather than seeking God directly?
2. Are there any modern-day traditions or beliefs that people rely on for healing instead of trusting in Jesus?
3. What does this passage teach us about God’s mercy compared to human attempts to earn blessings?
4. How can we help others see that true healing and salvation come from Christ alone?
5. In what ways are we tempted to “earn” God’s favor instead of simply receiving His grace?

This verse, though debated, highlights an important truth: human efforts and superstitions fall short, but Jesus alone brings true healing and salvation.