Lexical Summary kolumbéthra: Pool Original Word: κολυμβήθρα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pool. A diving-place, i.e. Pond for bathing (or swimming) -- pool. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kolumbaó Definition a pool NASB Translation pool (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2861: κολυμβήθρακολυμβήθρα, κολυμβήθρας, ἡ (κολυμβάω), a place for diving, a swimming-pool (A. V. simply pool): John 9:7, and Rec. in 11; a reservoir or pool used for bathing, John 5:2, 4 ((according to text of R L), 7). (Plato, rep. 5, p. 453 d.; Diodorus, Joseph, others; the Sept., 2 Kings 18:17; Nehemiah 2:14; Nahum 2:8.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 2861 designates the “pool” mentioned exclusively in the Gospel of John. Though a mundane term for a body of water designed for bathing or swimming, its inspired usage frames two of the most striking healing narratives in the New Testament, displaying Jesus Christ’s authority over sickness, sin, and ritual tradition. Biblical Usage 1. John 5:2 introduces the Pool of Bethesda near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, described as having “five covered colonnades.” Historical and Geographical Context • Bethesda: Archaeological digs north of the Temple Mount have uncovered twin pools flanked by Byzantine and Crusader remnants, matching John’s five-portico description. The site sat outside the immediate Temple precincts, aligning with its use by the ritually unclean. Theological Significance 1. Christ as the Greater Water: By bypassing the pool’s reputed curative power, Jesus demonstrates that healing resides not in ritual or location but in His person. Bethesda’s superstition and Siloam’s utility both bow to the living Word. Literary and Symbolic Parallels • Old Testament echoes: Pools in Jerusalem—such as the “Pool of the King” (Nehemiah 2:14) and the “Upper Pool” (Isaiah 7:3)—often accompany prophetic messages of trust versus human strategy. John portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of those prophetic hopes. Ministry Implications • Compassion vs. Competition: The invalid’s complaint at Bethesda exposes a system where the weak lose the race to the strong. Jesus’ initiative models pastoral care that seeks out the marginalized. Comparative Ancient Sources Jewish writings reference the Pool of Siloam as part of the water-drawing ceremony during the Feast of Tabernacles, when priests carried water to the altar while reciting Isaiah 12:3. Against that liturgical backdrop, John’s narrative magnifies Jesus as the true wellspring. Applications for the Modern Believer 1. Reliance on Christ over rites: Buildings, ordinances, and traditions hold value only as they direct hearts to Him. Forms and Transliterations κολυμβηθρα κολυμβήθρα κολυμβήθρᾳ κολυμβηθραν κολυμβήθραν κολυμβήθρας kolumbethra kolumbēthra kolumbethran kolumbēthran kolymbethra kolymbēthra kolymbḗthra kolymbḗthrāi kolymbethran kolymbēthran kolymbḗthranLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 5:2 N-NFSGRK: τῇ προβατικῇ κολυμβήθρα ἡ ἐπιλεγομένη NAS: by the sheep [gate] a pool, which is called KJV: the sheep [market] a pool, which INT: the sheepgate a pool which [is] called John 5:4 Noun-DFS John 5:7 N-AFS John 9:7 N-AFS Strong's Greek 2861 |
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