Miracles of Jesus
Lesson #6: Healing at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-27)
This is an interesting miracle not so much because of the healing that took place but the situation that surrounds it. The pool of Bethesda had 5 porches around it, and it was full of people that were impotent, blind, halt, and withered. Those in need of healing were waiting for the troubling of the water by an angel. Apparently at a certain time an angel would trouble the water and the first person who could get in the water would be healed of whatever disease that ailed them.
Some things to note in the passage:
1) Bethesda means “house of mercy”
- It is interesting to note that the man healed in the passage had been there for a long time but yet had no help. That is interesting for a place called the house of mercy.
2) There are five porches.
- When we study numbers in the Bible five is connected with death. The physical condition is not good for those lying on the porches, but the spiritual condition is worse.
Typology in the Miracle:
1) The man who is healed is a type of a lost man (verse 3-5)
- Not his condition, he cannot walk yet he is close to the water of healing. He has no one to help him in the water.
- Jesus asks him if he will be made whole. There is more that needs fixing than just his health.
2) Pool is a type of religion (verses 4-7)
- The man’s miracle was right before his eyes, but he could not get in the water.
- Religion only works if you are perfect (Romans 3:1-21).
3) Jesus replaces the need for man (verses 7-9)
- Under the O.T. Law man needed a priest, but Jesus Christ is now our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16 ; 1 Timothy 2:5) and is the only man that can get us to heaven (John 14:6).
4) After salvation your faith will be tested (verses 10-13)
- The man was tested immediately, note he was challenged on the word of God.
- Our faith must be tested as well (1 Peter 1:7)
5) Jesus finds the man after his testing (verse 14)
- Through our testing Jesus is always there for us (Hebrews 13:5-6)
The miracle is used to show the Deity of Jesus Christ:
Jesus uses this miracle and the question of the healed man to show forth his deity (Verses 15-27). Remember the miracles were to show that not only was he the prophet that would come but that he was the son of God.
Miracles of Jesus
Lesson #6: Healing at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-27)
1) What is unique about this miracle?
2) What are two things to note from the passage?
3) What are the types associated with this miracle?
4) What did Jesus use this miracle as an opportunity to accomplish?