BETHESDA AND SILOAM.
POOL, SIN AND HEALING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/rct.i34.71911Keywords:
Pool of Bethesda, Pool of Siloam, Sin, HealingAbstract
Chapters 5 and 10 of the Fourth Gospel describe two healings performed by Jesus, which occur in relation to two pools: Bethesda and Siloam. The theme of sin occurs in both narratives, however, in apparent contradiction. Thus, the question arises as to why the first healing is related to sin while the second is not? Here the aim is to highlight the characteristics of the two pools and their relationship with the two narratives of healings. Furthermore, the two narratives practically serve as a framework for the narratives of the cycle of the feasts of Israel (John 5-10) in the Fourth Gospel. In this way, an unnamed Feast is described (John 5); the Feast of Passover (John 6); the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7-8); and the Solemnity of Dedication (John 9-10). Of course, the mention of the Feast of Passover reappears in the Fourth Gospel in other passages (2:13, 23; 11:55; 12:1; 13:1; 18:28, 39; 19:14). But the block with the cycle of the Feasts of Israel has a theological purpose, that is, to highlight who Jesus Christ is based on the traditions of the Feasts.
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