Bethesda Pools 2



These large twin pools formed the Pools of Bethesda in Jerusalem, mentioned in John 5:2. In this drawing the roofs of the porticoes are flat, in the style of the first century. Next to these large water reservoirs was a temple dedicated to Asclepius, the Roman snake god of healing. Around this small building were five sacred baths where sick people hoped to be healed. Jesus healed the paralytic man in this complex (John 5.2).