At Capernaum many of our Saviour’s miracles were performed, and the place is referred to sixteen times by name.
12. A miracle performed here at this time in the history confirmed the faith of Andrew, Peter, James, and John, who were fishing in the waters of the sea not far off from the village, Luke 5:1–11.
Soon after this the restoring of the demoniac to his senses in the synagogue took place, Luke 4:33,and immediately after this the healing of Peter’s wife’s mother, as recorded in the same chapter. Many other miracles were performed the same evening.
13. Jesus then began to travel throughout Galilee, preaching and healing. One miracle on this journey is recorded, that of healing a leper, as narrated in Matt. 8:2; Mark 1:40; Luke 5:12. On his return to Capernaum he heals a paralytic, Matt. 9:2; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:18.
In the narrative of this last-mentioned miracle we have an illustration of the use of double names among the Jews, for Matthew, 9:9, calls himself Matthew,whereas the other evangelists in their accounts called him Levi,[165] and moreover Matthew adopts the usual method of Greek historians in speaking of themselves in the third person to avoid egotism. Compare Matt. 9:10; Mark 2:15; Luke 5:29.
CHAPTER IV.
THE SECOND PASSOVER AND THE TRANSACTIONS UNTIL THE THIRD PASSOVER. TIME ONE YEAR.
THE POOL OF BETHESDA, John 5:2.
1. Very recent discoveries have led to the belief that this pool was not at the so-called Birket Israel on the left hand of the entrance through the gate of St. Stephen—the eastern gate of Jerusalem—but on the right hand of the same entrance at the French church of St. Anne. It is about 160 feet on the right of the gate as you enter into the city. Here there has recently (1888) been discovered a tank in the rock under the church, reached by a flight of 24 steps, and more recently a twin pool by its side, which is supposed to identify the place, according to early writers.The remains of the five porches are still to be seen.[166]
2. In his attendance upon the second Passover Jesus performed the miracle of healing at the crowded pool of Bethesda, but left with the man whom he had restored no name or clew whereby he should know him. Soon after however, meeting the man in the Temple, Jesus warned him as to his future life; and thus the healed man was informed, and he reported to those who inquired of him thename of his benefactor. This act of healing was performed on the Sabbath day, and the consequent command of Jesus, “Take up thy bed and walk,” was made the occasion of bitter resentment on the part of the Jews. This gave the opportunity to our Lord for uttering one of the most distinct avowals of his equality with God as his Father, and the assertion that their own Jewish Scriptures testified of him. He then departed for Galilee.