John 5:1 – After this there was a feast of the Jews; Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  Jesus was residing in Galilee but He went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Jews. It would be an opportunity for good because of the numerous people from all parts of the country including proselytes from other nations. Three feasts required all Jewish males to come to Jerusalem (1) Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread (2) The Feast of Weeks (also called Pentecost), and (3) The Feast of Tabernacles. Although Jesus was the Son of God, He was submitting Himself to the ordinance.

John 5:2 – Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market (Gate) a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. The Sheep Gate was a gate in the wall of Jerusalem near the temple, through which the sheep were brought for sacrifice. The pool of Bethesda was a double pool surrounded by colonnades on four sides with a fifth colonnade standing on the diving wall that separated the northern and southern pools. The five porches were in the colonnades on the two sides, with each end on one in the middle.

John 5:3 – In these lay a great multitude of impotent (sick people) folk, of blind, halt (lame), withered (paralyzed) waiting for the moving of the water. The five porches are where the sick people lay waiting for the moving of the water. They came with the expectation of faith they would be healed. In order to receive from God whether it’s healing or whatever the issue may be we must come to God with the expectation that our request will be granted. Without faith, we can’t receive from God.

John 5:4 – For an angel went down at a certain season (time) into the pool, and troubled (stirred up) the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. He that first stepped in had the benefit of receiving the healing, not those that lingered and came in afterward. This goes for today’s ministry when the spirit of healing is in the room and the minister ask those who are in need of healing to come to the altar rather than waiting to see who all is coming; those that first respond to the request are the ones who receive their healing or when asked to raise your hand, those who first respond are those who receive the benefits of the blessings. Ministries, where there is much prayer within the four walls as well as the congregants who pray the spirit of healing will give a visitation. The reason why we don’t see the gifts of the Spirit being manifested in many ministries because of the lack of prayer and submission to the Word of God is lacking. The gifts haven’t ceased the people have ceased from praying and seeking the gifts.

John 5:5 – And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. The years indicated the man had been with this infirmity probably since he was born and before Jesus’ birth. The Bible does not indicate what type of infirmity it was only that the man could not walk and was in need of healing.

John 5:6 – When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now along time in that case (condition), he saith unto him, Wilt (do) thou be made whole? Jesus observed and considered how long the man had been in this condition, there were many other sick and lame people there other than the man, but Jesus looked at this man and asked him would he receive his healing. No one knows the mind of God, some would say the man had faith whereas Jesus didn’t ask him if he had faith, but he asked him would he receiving healing.

John 5:7 – The impotent (sick) man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled (stirred up) to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. The man didn’t have anyone to assist him in the water; those that saw him went before him to receive their healing. As Christians, when we see others that are in need sometimes we have to forget about ourselves and desire the best for someone else. When we place others before ourselves, God we see the good deed and will bless us with what we need or desire without us asking for what we want.

John 5:8 – Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. Jesus didn’t ask him to have faith, He instructed him to rise and walk, that is, to attempt to it, and as he attempt to do so, he would receive the strength to walk. If he had not attempted to help himself, he may not have received the healing. The length of time the man had not walked and to be commanded to rise up and walk, not as a toddler, not as the infirmity had made him, but to walk without restrictions was the power of God abiding on him.

John 5:9 – And immediately the man was made whole (well) and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. It wasn’t days or hours before the man could walk after Jesus had commanded him to walk but immediately. The same day the man was healed was on the sabbath. The sabbath was considered a violation of the Law of Moses.

John 5:10 – The Jews, therefore, said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. A man hadn’t walked in 38 years was healed but the Pharisees were more concerned about their pity rules than the life and health of a human being. The Jewish leaders who were members of the council were abiding by the Law of Moses taught that the Sabbath must be different from other days. On it, neither people nor animals would work. By Jesus’ day, they had 39 different classifications of work. According to them, carrying furniture, and providing medical treatment on the Sabbath were forbidden. Jesus didn’t break the Law, He violated the traditions of the Pharisees that had grown up around the Law.  In today’s time, many religion will take a portion of the scripture and insert man’s traditions or ideas whereas we must abide by the Law of God which is His Word and not tradition and ideas. This is why it is so important for those who are professing to be Christians should read and study the Word of God and compare their life to whether or not they’re living by the Word of God or traditions and ideas.