John 5:2

"After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem."

Key Reflection

In John 5:2, following a significant event, Jesus travels to Jerusalem for a major Jewish festival. The original audience would recognize this as an important time in Israel's religious calendar, likely the Passover, which was central to their faith and identity. This setting highlights the sacred nature of the city and the solemnity of the occasion, foreshadowing the miracles and teachings that will unfold there, particularly the healing at the Pool of Bethesda.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 2. The sheep-market. This might have been rendered the sheep-gate, or the gate through which the sheep were taken into the city for sacrifice. The marginal rendering is gate, and the word "market" is not in the original, nor is a "sheep-market" mentioned in the Scriptures or in any of the Jewish writings. A sheep-gate is repeatedly mentioned by Nehemiah (Ne 3:1,32; 12:39) being that by which sheep and oxen were brought into the city. As these were brought mainly for sacrifice, the gate was doubtless near the temple, and near the present place which is shown as the pool of Bethesda. A pool.

Related Verses

More from John 5

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