On this Sabbath he had tried once more to reach the pool, but in vain. Jesus saw him as he crept back to the mat which was his bed. His strength was almost gone. Unless help should come soon, he must die. As he lay thus, now and then lifting his eyes to look at the pool, a loving face bent over him, and he heard a voice say, "Wilt thou be made whole?"

Denne sabbat havde han endnu en gang forsøgt at nå hen til dammen, men forgæves. Jesus så ham krybe tilbage til den måtte, han brugte som seng. Hans kræfter var næsten udtømt. Hvis han ikke snart fik hjælp, måtte han dø. Som han nu lå der og engang imellem løftede hovedet for at se hen på vandet, bøjede et kærligt ansigt sig over ham, og han hørte en stemme sige: "Vil du være rask?"