John 5:7
New International Version
“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.”

New Living Translation
“I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

English Standard Version
The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am on my way, someone else goes in before me.”

Berean Literal Bible
The one ailing answered Him, "Sir, I do not have a man, that when the water has been stirred, he might put me into the pool; and while I am going, another descends before me."

King James Bible
The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

New King James Version
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

New American Standard Bible
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

NASB 1995
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

NASB 1977
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

Legacy Standard Bible
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

Amplified Bible
The invalid answered, “Sir, I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am coming [to get into it myself], someone else steps down ahead of me.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Sir,” the disabled man answered, “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, someone goes down ahead of me.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Sir,” the sick man answered, “I don’t have a man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, someone goes down ahead of me.”

American Standard Version
The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

Contemporary English Version
The man answered, "Sir, I don't have anyone to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up. I try to get in, but someone else always gets there first."

English Revised Version
The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The sick man answered Jesus, "Sir, I don't have anyone to put me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I'm trying to get there, someone else steps into the pool ahead of me."

Good News Translation
The sick man answered, "Sir, I don't have anyone here to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am trying to get in, somebody else gets there first."

International Standard Version
The sick man answered him, "Sir, I don't have anyone to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I'm trying to get there, someone else steps down ahead of me."

Majority Standard Bible
?Sir,? the invalid replied, ?I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am on my way, someone else goes in before me.?

NET Bible
The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I am trying to get into the water, someone else goes down there before me."

New Heart English Bible
The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I'm coming, another steps down before me."

Webster's Bible Translation
The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is agitated, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

Weymouth New Testament
"Sir," replied the sufferer, "I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is moved; but while I am coming some one else steps down before me."

World English Bible
The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, another steps down before me.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The ailing man answered Him, “Lord, I have no man, that, when the water may be troubled, he may put me into the pool, and while I am coming, another goes down before me.”

Berean Literal Bible
The one ailing answered Him, "Sir, I do not have a man, that when the water has been stirred, he might put me into the pool; and while I am going, another descends before me."

Young's Literal Translation
The ailing man answered him, 'Sir, I have no man, that, when the water may be troubled, he may put me into the pool, and while I am coming, another doth go down before me.'

Smith's Literal Translation
He being sick answered him, Lord, I have no man, that, when the water was troubled, he might cast me into the pool: and in which I am coming, another steps down before me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The infirm man answered him: Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pond. For whilst I am coming, another goeth down before me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The invalid answered him: “Lord, I do not have any man to put me in the pool, when the water has been stirred. For as I am going, another descends ahead of me.”

New American Bible
The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.”

New Revised Standard Version
The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The sick man answered and said, Yes, my Lord; but I have no man, when the water is stirred up, to put me into the baptismal pool; but while I am coming, another one goes in before me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
The sick man answered and said: “Oh, my lord, there is no one to put me in the baptismal when the waters are moved, but while I am coming, another goes down before me.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
The sick man answered him: Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred; but while I am coming, another goes down before me.

Godbey New Testament
The sick man responded to Him, Lord, I have no man that may put me in the pool, when the water may be troubled: and while I come, another goes down before me.

Haweis New Testament
The infirm man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is disturbed, to cast me into the pool: but when I am coming, another goeth down before me.

Mace New Testament
the sick man answered him, sir, I have nobody to put me into the pool when the water has been agitated: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

Weymouth New Testament
"Sir," replied the sufferer, "I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is moved; but while I am coming some one else steps down before me."

Worrell New Testament
The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no one, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool; but, while I am coming, another goes down before me!"

Worsley New Testament
The infirm man answered Him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is moved, to put me into the pool; but while I am coming, another goes down before me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Pool of Bethesda
6When Jesus saw him lying there and realized that he had spent a long time in this condition, 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 on my way, someone else goes in before me.” 8Then Jesus told him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.”…

Cross References
John 9:6-7
When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. / Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.

Mark 2:3-12
Then a paralytic was brought to Him, carried by four men. / Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat. / When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” ...

Luke 5:18-25
Just then some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They tried to bring him inside to set him before Jesus, / but they could not find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. / When Jesus saw their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” ...

Matthew 9:2-8
Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” / On seeing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” / But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts? ...

Acts 3:2-8
And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts. / When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. / Peter looked directly at him, as did John. “Look at us!” said Peter. ...

John 7:23
If a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses will not be broken, why are you angry with Me for making the whole man well on the Sabbath?

John 4:49
“Sir,” the official said, “come down before my child dies.”

John 11:21
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

John 11:32
When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

John 2:3
When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.”

2 Kings 5:10-14
Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.” / But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy. / Are not the Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not have washed in them and been cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a rage. ...

Isaiah 35:5-6
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. / Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Psalm 103:3
He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases,

Exodus 15:26
saying, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, then I will not bring on you any of the diseases I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”


Treasury of Scripture

The weak man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steps down before me.

I have.

Deuteronomy 32:36
For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

Psalm 72:12
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

Psalm 142:4
I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

before.

John 5:4
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.

1 Corinthians 9:24
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

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Agitated Bath Cast Descends Gets Goes Ill I'm Impotent Infirm Invalid Moved Moving Nobody Order Pool Sick Sir Someone Steps Stirred Troubled Trying Water
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Agitated Bath Cast Descends Gets Goes Ill I'm Impotent Infirm Invalid Moved Moving Nobody Order Pool Sick Sir Someone Steps Stirred Troubled Trying Water
John 5
1. Jesus on the Sabbath day cures him who was diseased thirty-eight years.
10. The Jews therefore object, and persecute him for it.
17. He answers for himself, and reproves them, showing by the testimony of his Father,
31. of John,
36. of his works,
39. and of the Scriptures, who he is.














Sir
The Greek word used here is "κύριε" (kyrie), which is often translated as "Lord" or "Sir." This term reflects a recognition of authority or respect. In the context of the Gospel of John, it is significant as it shows the invalid's acknowledgment of Jesus' authority, even if he does not fully understand who Jesus is. This term sets the stage for the miraculous healing that follows, highlighting the respect and hope placed in Jesus by those in need.

the invalid replied
The term "invalid" is translated from the Greek word "ἀσθενῶν" (asthenōn), which means weak or sick. This word emphasizes the man's physical condition and his long-term suffering. Historically, this reflects the plight of many who were marginalized and left without help in ancient societies. The use of "replied" indicates a direct response to Jesus' question, showing the man's willingness to engage despite his hopeless situation.

I have no one to help me
This phrase underscores the man's isolation and desperation. In the cultural and historical context of the time, family and community played crucial roles in providing care. His statement reveals a lack of social support, which was vital for survival, especially for those with disabilities. This highlights the compassion of Jesus, who steps in where human help is absent.

into the pool when the water is stirred
The pool referred to is the Pool of Bethesda, believed to have healing properties when its waters were stirred. Archaeological discoveries have confirmed the existence of such pools in Jerusalem, adding historical credibility to the account. The stirring of the water was thought to be caused by an angel, and the first to enter the pool would be healed. This belief reflects the desperation and hope of those seeking healing, and it sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His power over traditional beliefs and practices.

While I am trying to get in
This phrase indicates the man's persistent effort despite his condition. The Greek verb "προσέρχομαι" (proserchomai) suggests an ongoing attempt, reflecting his determination and hope for healing. It also highlights the futility of his efforts without assistance, setting the scene for Jesus' intervention.

someone else goes down ahead of me
This part of the verse illustrates the competitive and often harsh reality faced by those seeking healing at the pool. The phrase "goes down ahead" suggests a race against time and others, emphasizing the man's helplessness. It also reflects the broader human condition of striving for healing and wholeness, often hindered by circumstances beyond one's control. Jesus' subsequent miracle transcends this competition, offering grace and healing directly to the man.

(7) What does the question mean? Will this Stranger, whom he has never seen before, do for him what none of those who often saw him had ever done? Will he watch for the bubbling water, and place him first in it? Is there one being in all the world who regards his state as calling for loving pity, rather than scornful loathing?

I have no man.--There is an eloquence of helplessness more powerful than that of words. Day by day he has watched, listened for the first sound, caught the first movement in the bath, summoned the feeble vestiges of strength to an action on which all depended, and hoping each succeeding time, in spite of despair in which last time's hope has been engulfed, has been coming, when "another goeth down before." "I have no man" is to-day the helpless, unspoken cry of thousands imaged here.

Verse 7. - The sick (impotent) man answered him: Sir, I have no man, when the water has been troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. This implies that some special advantage accompanied the troubling of the water. The sudden escape of the medicinal gas may have soon subsided, and, with it, the special virtue of the well. The difficulty which the sick man found in reaching the point of disturbance may be accounted for in many ways. The steps which led into the water; the weakness of the sufferer, which made it an impossible task without help; the eagerness at many other impotent folk to take advantage of the supposed cure, jostling one another with selfish haste; or the absence of any personal friend to fight his battle for him, and cast him (βάλῃ) with the required plunge into water. The last point may be explained on the supposition that he was a comparative stranger in Jerusalem, and had made no friends; or by another, which several other allusions justify, viz. that he was a man who, from some reason or other, could neither make nor retain friendship. The melancholy recital of his frequent disappointment is given with an air of mendicant resignation - a kind of morbid satisfaction with his lot. The phrase, "while I am coming, another," etc., implies that he could move, if slowly, without help. The moroseness of self-dependence characterizes some sufferers, who rather glory in isolation than lament it. Still, the words express the hopelessness of thousands who, for lack of human help, are jostled out of life, peace, and salvation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Sir,”
Κύριε (Kyrie)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

invalid
ἀσθενῶν (asthenōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 770: To be weak (physically: then morally), To be sick. From asthenes; to be feeble.

replied,
Ἀπεκρίθη (Apekrithē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

“I have
ἔχω (echō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

no
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

one
ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

to help
βάλῃ (balē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.

me
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

pool
κολυμβήθραν (kolymbēthran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2861: (lit: a diving or swimming place), a pool. A diving-place, i.e. Pond for bathing.

when
ὅταν (hotan)
Conjunction
Strong's 3752: When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

water
ὕδωρ (hydōr)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5204: Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively.

is stirred.
ταραχθῇ (tarachthē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5015: To disturb, agitate, stir up, trouble. Of uncertain affinity; to stir or agitate.

While
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

am on my way,
ἔρχομαι (erchomai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

someone else
ἄλλος (allos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.

goes in
καταβαίνει (katabainei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2597: To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.

before
πρὸ (pro)
Preposition
Strong's 4253: A primary preposition; 'fore', i.e. In front of, prior to.

me.”
ἐμοῦ (emou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Gospels: John 5:7 The sick man answered him Sir (Jhn Jo Jn)
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