Bethesda in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE
be-thez'-da (Bethesda; Textus Receptus of the New Testament,
Jn 5:2 (probably beth chicda', "house of mercy"); other
forms occur as Bethzatha and Bethsaida):
1. The Conditions of the Narrative: Jn 5:2:
The only data we have is the statement in Jn 5:2-4: "Now
there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is
called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay
a multitude of them that were sick, blind, halt, withered."
Many ancient authorities add (as in the Revised Version,
margin) "waiting for the moving of the water: for an angel
of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and
troubled the water," etc.
The name does not help as to the site, no such name occurs
elsewhere in Jerusalem; the mention of the sheep gate is of
little assistance because the word "gate" is supplied, and
even were it there, its site is uncertain. Sheep "pool" or
"place" is at least as probable; the tradition about the
"troubling of the water" (which may be true even if the
angelic visitant may be of the nature of folk-lore) can
receive no rational explanation except by the well-known
phenomenon, by no means uncommon in Syria and always
considered the work of a supernatural being, of an
intermittent spring. The arrangement of the five porches is
similar to that demonstrated by Dr. F. Bliss as having
existed in Roman times as the Pool of Siloam; the story
implies that the incident occurred outside the city walls,
as to carry a bed on the Sabbath would not have been
forbidden by Jewish traditional law.
2. The Traditional Site:
Tradition has varied concerning the site. In the 4th
century, and probably down to the Crusades, a pool was
pointed out as the true site, a little to the Northwest of
the present Stephen's Gate; it was part of a twin pool and
over it were erected at two successive periods two Christian
churches. Later on this site was entirely lost and from the
13th century the great Birket Israel, just North of the
Temple area, was pointed out as the site.
Within the last quarter of a century, however, the older
traditional site, now close to the Church of Anne, has been
rediscovered, excavated and popularly accepted. This pool is
a rock-cut, rain-filled cistern, 55 ft. long X 12 ft. broad,
and is approached by a steep and winding flight of steps.
The floor of the rediscovered early Christian church roofs
over the pool, being supported upon five arches in
commemoration of the five porches. At the western end of the
church, where probably the font was situated, there was a
fresco, now much defaced and fast fading, representing the
angel troubling the waters.
3. A More Probable Site:
Although public opinion supports this site, there is much to
be said for the proposal, promulgated by Robinson and
supported by Conder and other good authorities, that the
pool was at the "Virgin's Fount" (see GIHON), which is today
an intermittent spring whose "troubled" waters are still
visited by Jews for purposes of cure. As the only source of
"living water" near Jerusalem, it is a likely spot for there
to have been a "sheep pool" or "sheep place" for the vast
flocks of sheep coming to Jerusalem in connection with the
temple ritual. See Biblical World, XXV, 80 ff.
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