Devine Scripture

John 5:2

What does John 5:2 mean?

A plain-English look at John 5:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 5:2 means

John identifies a specific location: a pool called Bethesda near the Sheep Gate, with five porches. The details sound like an eyewitness memory and emphasize accessibility—open porches where the needy gathered. Bethesda means “house of mercy,” fitting for what is about to happen. The mention of the Sheep Gate recalls sacrificial imagery near the temple. Jesus will soon show Himself as the true source of cleansing and life, beyond ritual water. The concrete geography grounds the miracle in real Jerusalem, signaling that God’s compassion meets people in familiar places, not only within sanctuaries. The five porches suggest ample space for sufferers to wait—and for grace to break in.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheepgatea pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheepgatea pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now in Jerusalem near the sheep-market there is a public bath which in Hebrew is named Beth-zatha. It has five doorways.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there is in Jerusalem by the sheep-<FI> gate<Fi> a pool that is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now there is at Jerusalem a pond, called Probatica, which in Hebrew is named Bethsaida, having five porches.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now there is in Jerusalem, at the sheepgate, a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.

Context

Having introduced the feast and Jerusalem, John names the pool by the Sheep Gate, focusing the reader’s attention on a site where many afflicted people congregate. This sets the immediate backdrop for verse 3’s description of the multitude of sick and the particular man in verse 5. The careful setting contrasts with the leaders’ later reaction, showing the mercy of Jesus amid a place associated with hope and disappointment. From this setting flows the sign (verses 5–9) and the ensuing Sabbath controversy (verses 10–18), which transitions into Jesus’ claim to divine prerogatives (verses 19–30) and His appeal to multiple witnesses (verses 31–47).

v.1After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

v.2This passage

v.3In these lay a multitude of them that were sick, blind, halt, withered.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 22:9

    And ye saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many; and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool;

  • Acts 21:40

    And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, saying,

  • John 19:13

    When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment-seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

  • Nehemiah 12:39

    and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the old gate, and by the fish gate, and the tower of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the gate of the guard.

  • Nehemiah 3:32

    And between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.

  • Nehemiah 3:1

    Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Hammeah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananel.

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