“And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.”
King James Version (KJV)
5:4 An angel - Yet many undoubtedly thought the whole thing to be purely natural. At certain times - Perhaps at a certain hour of the day, during this paschal week, went down - The Greek word implies that he had ceased going down, before the time of St. John's writing this. God might design this to raise expectation of the acceptable time approaching, to add a greater lustre to his Son's miracles, and to show that his ancient people were not entirely forgotten of him. The first - Whereas the Son of God healed every day not one only, but whole multitudes that resorted to him.
5:7 The sick man answered - Giving the reason why he was not made whole, notwithstanding his desire.
Joh 5:5 And a certain man was there. With many others who thought the water had a healing power. His infirmity was probably paralysis.