Pool of Bethesda

The Pool of Bethesda is a set of pools located in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City, near the ancient “Sheep Gate” (close to the modern-day Lion’s Gate). The history of the Pool of Bethesda began in the 8th century BC, when a dam was constructed to create a reservoir for collecting rainwater. Gates in the dam controlled the water flow, which continuously supplied the city through a channel carved from the rock. This reservoir was known as the “Upper Pool” (בריכה העליונה). Around 200 BC, during the time of High Priest Simon II, the channel was closed, and a second pool was added to the south side of the dam.

One of the most famous miracles of Jesus in the Gospel of John is the healing of the paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:2-9). The Pool of Bethesda was first excavated in the late 19th century, but it took archaeologists more than 100 years to accurately identify and interpret the site. In John’s Gospel, the Pool of Bethesda is described as having “five porticos,” an unusual pentagonal shape that was a confusing feature. For a long time, most scholars considered this a non-historical literary creation. However, when the site was excavated, it revealed a rectangular pool with two basins separated by a central wall. This configuration meant the pool had five sides, each with a colonnade, which aligned perfectly with the gospel’s description.

The story of Jesus’ miracle tells us that many people came to the Pool of Bethesda hoping for its healing powers. It was believed that when the water was stirred, the first person to step in would be healed of their ailment. The paralytic, however, told Jesus that he couldn’t get into the water quickly enough. In response, Jesus healed him immediately, telling him to get up and walk. This miracle story demonstrates the long history of healing associated with the site. The tradition continued, as just one or two centuries later, a Roman healing bath was built at the Pool of Bethesda. Later, during the Byzantine and Crusader eras of Christian control over Jerusalem, Christians, who often marked the locations of Jesus’ miracles, added a small chapel and a church, which now cover the Bethesda complex.