Pool of Bethesda

Introduction:

(twin pools)

there used to be a pool

we do not know what ‘sheep’ refers to

the gate is not known

The New Testament gives no information of this Sheep Pool.

Birket Israil?

6 sites for this pool

There was no pool and that the 5 porticeos symbolize the 5 books of Moses

For Augustine, it’s all symbolism.

City of Bethany?

Copper Scroll (3Q15)

Establishing the accuracy of the fourth evangelist’s reference to sites or localities does not by itself, of course, guarantee the historical authenticity of the events he places there.

Formulated in Synoptic circles