Whose Character

[teresaq]

I have a question that occurred to me in considering John 5:4.

Whose spirit, or character, is being encouraged if only the first person able to get in the pool will be healed?

Does it encourage anyone to think of others, the more disabled?

Would that be a clue as to where the belief sprang from?

[Ellen]

I thought of the same thing. It seems some must have been healed in the past or they would get the idea that it was fake. The power of suggestion may have performed healing powers on many.

Healthy people may have put the hope in the invalids hearts and propagated the belief that they had to get in there first.