In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

JOHN 5:3KJV
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John 5:3 (KJV)

What does John 5:3 mean?

John 5:3 describes a large group of people with various physical disabilities—those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed—lying by the pool of Bethesda and waiting for the water to move. The verse sets the scene for a place where many gathered in hope of healing.

In this part of John’s Gospel, the writer is describing the situation in Jerusalem near a pool believed to have healing properties. The people mentioned are not named; instead, they are grouped by their conditions, highlighting the desperation and hope found at this pool. The verse prepares the reader for the story of Jesus interacting with one of these individuals.

The Greek behind John 5:3

  • The word translated “impotent folk” is ἀσθενῶν (asthenōn), often understood as “sick” or “weak,” which can refer to a wide range of physical ailments, not just paralysis.
  • The word for “halt” is χωλῶν (chōlōn), meaning “lame” or “crippled,” specifically those who have difficulty walking.
  • The word for “withered” is ξηρῶν (xērōn), which refers to people with shrunken or paralyzed limbs, suggesting a visible, lasting disability.
  • The phrase “waiting for the moving of the water” uses the Greek word κίνησιν (kinēsin) for “moving,” which carries the sense of stirring or agitation, hinting at a local belief that the water’s movement signaled an opportunity for healing.

Why John 5:3 matters

  • John 5:3 gives important background for understanding why Jesus encounters a man at this pool and why so many people are gathered there.
  • The verse highlights the widespread suffering and hope for healing in Jerusalem, setting up the significance of Jesus’ later miracle in this chapter.
  • By naming specific types of disabilities, John 5:3 emphasizes the diversity and severity of the needs present, making the coming miracle stand out even more.

Where else these words appear

“withered” Greek G3584 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
  • Luke 6:6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
  • Luke 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

“for” Greek G1551 · used in 8 verses

  • Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
  • 1 Corinthians 16:11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
  • Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

“lay” Greek G2621 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
  • Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
  • John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

“halt” Greek G5560 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Matthew 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;