5:7a
Sir: This is a polite form of address. The Greek word can also mean ‘Lord,’ but here it was probably just a way for the lame man to be polite. He did not appear to think yet that there was anything special about Jesus.
I have no one to help me into the pool: The lame man indicated to Jesus that he was unable to get into the pool ahead of other people. He needed help to get into the pool. He implied that he did want to get well by explaining why he was not already well. In some languages it is more natural to make this implied information more explicit. For example:
⌊I do but I cannot, because⌋ I have no one to put me into the pool, sir.
-or-
⌊Yes,⌋ sir, ⌊I want to, but⌋ there is no one to take me to the water.
5:7b
when the water is stirred: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is stirred means “to move about.” See the note on 5:4b. This is a passive clause. There are at least two ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
when the water is troubled (Revised Standard Version)
• Use an active verb. For example:
when the angel stirs the water
-or-
when the water bubbles up (New Living Translation (2004))
General Comment on 5:7a–b
In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of 5:7a and 5:7b. For example:
⌊Yes but it is impossible.⌋ 5:7b When the water moves/stirs, 5:7a ⌊⌊I need someone⌋ to help me into the pool. But I have no one.
5:7c
While I am on my way: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as am on my way means “am coming.” The lame man was in the process of coming to the water. He had tried to get into the water without help, but he was unable to get there fast enough. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
I try to get in, but… (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
While I am trying to get into the water… (NET Bible)
someone else goes in before me: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as goes in is more literally “descends (goes down).” It refers to people getting into the water. Translate this in a way that is natural in your language. For example:
Someone else always gets there ahead of me. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
someone else steps into the pool before me (Revised English Bible)
-or-
somebody else always enters the water before I do
General Comment on 5:7a–c
In some languages it may be more natural to translate 5:7a–c as indirect speech. For example:
The sick man told Jesus that he tried to get into the pool before the others, but someone always got there first.
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