Many who have read the familiar passage of John 5:1-9, recounting the story of the man healed at the Pool of Bethesda, might have noticed something peculiar.
“Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, 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 trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’ 8 Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” (John 5:1-9, NIV).
Upon closer inspection, readers may realize that verse John 5:4 is conspicuously absent. Reading through, the verse count jumps directly from 3 to 5. This omission isn’t a misprint; it’s a deliberate choice made by translators of many popular Bible versions.
For those curious about what John 5:4 says, the missing text typically reads: “for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted” (NASB).
This verse, however, is not just missing in the NIV. Versions like the ESV, NRSV, CEV, NLT, and the NET Bible also omit it. While some translations like the NASB and NCV include John 5:4, they often enclose it in brackets, indicating a degree of uncertainty about its authenticity. Older versions like the KJV and NKJV present John 5:4 without any such notation, leaving many to wonder: what exactly is the story behind the missing John 5:4 verse?
The Mystery of John 5:4 and Biblical Manuscripts
The reason behind the missing verse John 5:4 lies in the fascinating world of biblical textual criticism and manuscript analysis. Study Bibles that omit John 5:4 usually provide a footnote explaining its absence, often found at the end of verse 3 or the beginning of verse 5. This situation is a prime example of discrepancies found within the ancient Greek manuscripts of the New Testament.
Textual critics and paleographers, scholars dedicated to studying and comparing these manuscripts, have discovered that the material constituting John 5:4 is absent from the earliest and most reliable manuscripts of the Gospel of John. Intriguingly, in approximately two dozen manuscripts that do include John 5:4, scribes had marked the verse with asterisks. These marks served as warnings to future scribes, signaling that the verse was likely not part of the original text. Further linguistic analysis reveals that a significant portion of John 5:4‘s Greek wording is unique and doesn’t appear anywhere else in John’s writings. This linguistic anomaly further supports the conclusion that John 5:4 was not originally part of the Gospel of John.
The translation landscape shifted after 1900, thanks to the discovery of older and more accurate manuscripts in the 19th century. These discoveries illuminated the likely non-original status of John 5:4. Consequently, modern Bible translations, unlike the pre-1900 King James Version (which the NKJV followed in this regard), began to either omit the verse entirely or include it in brackets to reflect the manuscript evidence. These modern translations aim to provide a more accurate representation of the original inspired text.
Folklore, Faith, and Focusing on Jesus in John 5
Why might John 5:4 have been excluded from the original New Testament writings? It’s not due to any discomfort with the concept of angels. Angels are prevalent throughout the Bible, actively involved in God’s plan. Instead, the issue likely stems from the pervasive presence of folklore and superstition surrounding angels in that era, much like today. The belief that an angel periodically stirred the waters of Bethesda to impart healing was likely a popular superstition of the time.
Notably, John 5:7 does mention the stirring of the water when the invalid explains his predicament, but it pointedly omits any reference to an angel. It’s plausible that John was aware of the popular belief regarding the waters of Bethesda but deliberately chose to exclude the angelic element. His reason might have been to avoid endorsing or perpetuating superstitious beliefs. By leaving out the folklore surrounding the angel, John strategically directs the reader’s focus to the true source of healing present at the pool – Jesus Christ himself.
Lessons from the Missing Verse: Close Reading and Deeper Bible Study
“The case of the missing verse,” John 5:4, offers valuable lessons for all Bible readers. Firstly, it underscores the importance of training ourselves to read the Bible with meticulous attention. If we can overlook something as significant as a missing verse in John 5, what other nuances or details might we be missing? Careful and close reading is crucial for deeper understanding.
Secondly, comparing different Bible translations proves to be incredibly beneficial. Even biblical scholars proficient in Greek and Hebrew utilize and compare various manuscript traditions and translations. Examining the work of other translators and scribes can often draw our attention to significant details and textual variations, enriching our understanding.
Thirdly, it reinforces the necessity of grounding our preaching and teaching firmly in the most reliable biblical text. Countless individuals have dedicated their lives to meticulously transmitting the biblical text across generations. The least we can do is honor their dedication by paying close attention to the text and ensuring our interpretations are textually sound and accurately reflect the inspired Word. Understanding the nuances of verses like John 5:4 deepens our appreciation for the Bible and encourages a more informed and robust faith.
