For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
Parallel translations
- WEB for an angel went down at certain times into the pool, and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had.
- KJV For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
This verse explains a belief that an angel stirred the water and the first one in was healed. Many early manuscripts omit it, so its originality is debated.
Overview
This verse, describing an angel troubling the water, is absent from the earliest and best manuscripts and is regarded by most scholars as a later explanatory addition. It reflects a popular belief of the time that explains the sick man's words in verse 7. Whether or not original, it does not affect the truth of the surrounding account or any doctrine, and faithful Christians acknowledge the textual question openly.
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Original language
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