In Jerusalem there was a large pool of water called Bethesda. At certain times this pool was troubled; the people believed that an angel of the Lord went down into it, and stirred the waters, and that the first one who stepped 72 in after the waters were stirred would be cured of whatever disease he had. Great numbers of people came to the place, hoping to be cured; but most of them were disappointed. At the moving of the waters there was such a crowd, that many could not even get to the edge of the pool.

I Jerusalem var der en stor dam, der hed Betesda. På visse tider kom vandet i denne dam i oprør. Folket troede, at en Herrens engel fór ned i dammen og bragte vandet i oprør. "Den, som da, efter at vandet var kommet i oprør, først steg ned deri, blev rask; hvilken sygdom han end led af". En mængde mennesker kom til denne dam i håb om at finde helbredelse; men de fleste blev skuffede. Når vandet kom i oprør, var der en sådan trængsel, at mange ikke engang kunne nå hen til kanten af dammen.