Pools of Bethesda, Jerusalem

The Pools of Bethesda are ancient healing pools in Jerusalem, near the Temple, where Jesus healed a paralytic who had been sick for 38 years. He told the man to “rise, take up your mat, and walk. Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked” (John 5:8-9).

The pools were identified in the Gospel as being near the Sheep Gate, a gate in Jerusalem’s walls through which sheep were taken to the Temple for sacrifice. Explore the location on this map.

Ancient dams collected and distributed water into the pools and people came here for centuries for physical and spiritual healing and cleansing. Romans built a temple here, as did successive ruling powers. Squeezed in between and below the structures are cisterns that drew from the water source. Today, it is difficult to distinguish the pools from the ruins of at least three different temples and churches built here.

The name, Bethesda, means “house of mercy.” Ancient tradition holds that Jesus’ grandparents, Joachim and Anne, lived at Bethesda—this is where Mary grew up. Adjacent to the ruins today stands the crusader-era Church of St. Anne.

The video below gives you and idea of what the space feels like today.

Scripture Passages Associated with this Site