Lexical Summary probatikos: Sheep Gate Original Word: προβατικός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sheep market. From probaton; relating to sheep, i.e. (a gate) through which they were led into Jerusalem -- sheep (market). see GREEK probaton NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom probaton Definition of sheep NASB Translation sheep (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4262: προβατικόςπροβατικός, προβατικῇ, προβατικον (πρόβατον), pertaining to sheep: ἡ προβατικῇ, SC. πύλη (which is added in Nehemiah 3:1, 32; Nehemiah 12:39, for הַצֹּאן שַׁעַר), the sheep gate, John 5:2 ((Winers Grammar, 592 (551); Buttmann, § 123, 8); but some (as Meyer, Weiss, Milligan and Moulton, cf. Treg. marginal reading and see Tdf.'s note at the passage) would connect προβατικός with the immediately following κολυμβήθρα (pointed as a dative); see Tdf. as above; WHs Appendix, at the passage. On the supposed locality see B. D. under the phrase, Sheep Gate (Sheep-Market)). STRONGS NT 4262a: προβάτιονπροβάτιον, προβατιου, τό (diminutive of the following word), a little sheep: John 21:(16 T Tr marginal reading WH text), 17 T Tr WH text (Hippocrates, Aristophanes, Plato.) The single New Testament appearance of the term occurs in John 5:2, where the Evangelist situates the Pool of Bethesda “near the Sheep Gate”. The expression evokes the northeastern entrance to the temple precincts through which animals destined for sacrifice were brought. Historical Setting in Second-Temple Jerusalem Nehemiah 3:1, 32 and 12:39 preserve the post-exilic name of this gate, which lay just north of the temple courts. Hands of priests, not civil officials, rebuilt it—an early hint of its liturgical purpose. During the festivals hundreds of lambs funneled through this passage; its proximity to Bethesda made the pool a gathering place for the infirm who hoped for cleansing at a site continually washed by sacrificial runoff. Archaeological work north of the Haram esh-Sharif has uncovered twin pools matching John’s description, confirming the evangelist’s local accuracy. Sacrificial Imagery and Old Testament Echoes The gate’s name binds John 5 to the sacrificial theology that courses through Scripture: • Genesis 22 depicts the ram provided “on the mount of the LORD.” By referencing the Sheep Gate, John silently aligns Jesus with these promises even before He announces, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11). Christological Significance in John’s Gospel 1. Foreshadowing of the Cross: The very entrance that welcomed sacrificial animals frames a sign that points to the ultimate sacrifice. The healed man carries his mat on a Sabbath, prefiguring controversy that will culminate in Calvary (John 5:16–18). Theological and Ministry Implications • Divine Initiative: The sufferers at Bethesda represent humanity’s helplessness; Christ’s unsolicited approach underscores sovereign grace (Ephesians 2:4–5). Typology of Gate and Pool Gate – access to God provided through sacrifice (Hebrews 10:19–20). Pool – cleansing and renewal fulfilled in the Spirit’s living water (John 7:37–39). Their junction in John 5 spotlights the convergence of atonement and regeneration. Eschatological Glimpse Revelation 7:17 anticipates the Lamb shepherding redeemed multitudes to “springs of living water,” echoing Bethesda yet surpassing it. The once-exclusive Sheep Gate expands into the New Jerusalem’s ever-open portals (Revelation 21:25). Summary Strong’s 4262, though appearing only once, anchors a rich tapestry of sacrificial, pastoral and redemptive themes. Rooted in Jerusalem’s topography, it propels the reader from Old Testament expectation through Johannine revelation to eternal consummation, affirming that the Lamb who enters by the Sheep Gate is both Shepherd and Savior of the world. |
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