Pools of Bethesda - Jerusalem, Israel

The Fifth Chapter of John, verses 1-8 reads (NIV):

The Healing at the Pool
5 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4] [b] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

The Pools of Bethesda are one of the most amazing discoveries in Jerusalem. They are evidence of our ignorance when it comes to scripture. The pools were described as massive, too large to have existed anywhere close to where they were said to be (the Sheep Gate). So scholars were in general agreement that the fifth chapter of John was probably written later by someone who did not understand the geography of the city. There were two camps of thought. One that they existed somewhere else and were mistakenly attributed to the Sheep Gate. Or that the story was a metaphor and the pools did not exist at all. Yet, the author not only recounted the story, but gave a precise location. Why would someone give such a detailed account if they had no idea what they were talking about...or even if they were speaking metaphorically? They wouldn't. Which is why the recent discovery of these pools is so amazing to me. They offer distinct proof that the original version of this text must have been written in close proximity to the time of the events.

The Pools of Bethesda sit next to Saint Anne's Church (believed to be the birthplace of Mary, mother of Jesus). The massive structure would have been an amazing sight to see. The origins of the pools date back to the 8th century BC, but the structure as it was described by John would have only existed in that configuration from the first or second century BC until the First Century AD when this account was made. Even the colonnades as described by John are still partially intact.

Map of the Pools

Model of the Pools in 64AD from the Israel Museum

It is amazing that these massive pools were trampled over for countless centuries with little knowledge that they even ever existed. Now, to add a twist. The biblical record also places these pools near the Sheep Gate. Below is a photo of the nearby gate:

Notice the lions on either side of the gate. This gate is called The Lions Gate. The lions are a much later addition. The lions were added in the sixteenth century by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. A gate that was once called the sheep gate and renamed the lions gate. Maybe there is a subtle hidden message here. Maybe it's just me reading too much into it. But I find it interesting that the Lion of Judah was given as a sacrifice. That may not be a deep theological argument, but I am going to keep that analogy in my mind because I like it. Here are a few more views of the massive pools. Which, by the way, had five identified porticoes, exactly as John described.

There is not cost to visit the Pools of Bethesda. They are open to the public. It is an amazing archaeological site to visit. The age of state of repair of some of the ancient structures and their connection to the scriptures are a testament to the truth. Please be sure to check out my other musings about Israel!

A Christian Guide to Israel

Hotels
Cinema Hotel Tel Aviv, Israel
Ron Beach Hotel, Tiberias, Israel
Prima Park Hotel Jerusalem, Israel

Attractions
Caesarea National Park Caesarea, Israel
Mount Precipice Mount Kedimum, Israel
Sea of Galilee Boat Ride Tiberias, Israel
Yigal Alon Museum (Jesus Boat) Ginosar, Israel
Capernaum, Israel
St. Peter’s Restaurant Kinneret, Israel
Caesarea Phillipi Banias, Israel
Gadot Lookout and Memorial Golan Heights, Israel
Jordan River Baptismal Site Yardenit, Israel
Beit She’an National Park Beit She’an, Israel
Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Israel
Garden Tomb Jerusalem, Israel
Western Wall Jerusalem, Israel
Western Wall Tunnels Jerusalem, Israel
Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem, Israel
Bethlehem New Store Gift Shop
Pool of Bethesda, Jerusalem, Israel
Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel
Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, Israel
House of Caiaphas the High Priest, Jerusalem, Israel
The Upper Room, Jerusalem, Israel
Tomb of King David, Jerusalem, Israel
Masada National Park, Masada, Israel
The Dead Sea, Masada, Israel

Churches
Discalced Carmelite Monastery Muhraqa, Israel
Basilica of the Annunciation Nazareth, Israel
St. Peter’s Church Capernaum, Israel
Church of the Multiplication Tabgha, Israel
Church of the Beatitudes Tabgha, Israel
Church of All Nations Jerusalem, Israel
Church of Saint Anne, Jerusalem, Israel
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem, Israel
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, West Bank

Unless otherwise indicated, these photos are my own. They may be used with permission.