Bethesda
“House of mercy or house of grace”
Summary
A pool in Jerusalem with five porches where Jesus healed a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
☩Description and Location
Bethesda was a pool near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, surrounded by five covered colonnades (porches). These porches sheltered 'a great multitude' of sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed people waiting for the moving of the water. The name means 'house of mercy,' perhaps reflecting the charitable purpose of the porches or the healing associated with the pool.
☩The Healing of the Invalid
Jesus found a man at the pool who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus asked if he wanted to be healed, the man explained he had no one to help him into the pool when the water was stirred. Jesus simply commanded him, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk,' and the man was instantly healed. This miracle, performed on the Sabbath, initiated a major conflict with the Jewish authorities.
☩Archaeological Discovery
Excavations near the Church of St. Anne in Jerusalem have uncovered a pool with five porches that many scholars identify as Bethesda. The site includes twin pools with the remains of colonnades, matching John's description of 'five porches.' A church was built over the site in Byzantine times.
Related Verses1 mention
John· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Bethesda," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Bethesda," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Bethesda," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).