John 5:7

“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am on my way, someone else goes in before me.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The invalid speaks to Jesus immediately after Jesus asks him if he wants to get well. He addresses Jesus as "Sir" while describing his physical limitation at the pool.

The words — ἀπεκρίθη (apekrithē) translates to "answered," and ἔχω (echō) translates to "I have," framing the reply as a direct statement of lack. κύριε (kurie) means "Sir," marking the invalid's address to Jesus.

The thread — The text states the helpless man has no helper, which runs parallel to Psalm 72:12 and Deuteronomy 32:36 where God acts for the needy who lack human assistance.

Why it lands — The verse states the man's inability to reach the pool before any divine action occurs, requiring the reader to acknowledge that deliverance depends on external intervention rather than personal effort.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

Cross-references

Psalms 72:12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.
Deuteronomy 32:36 For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.
1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.
Psalms 142:4 Look to my right and see; no one attends to me. There is no refuge for me; no one cares for my soul.
2 Corinthians 1:8 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
Romans 5:6 For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
John 5:3 On these walkways lay a great number of the sick, the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed.