And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
And [or rather, 'Now' de (G1161 )] a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years - a length of time which to the man himself might seem to render a cure hopeless, and on the principle of a mere medicinal virtue in this water, which some even sound critics are too ready to tamper with, undoubtedly would. This, then, was probably the most pitiable of all the patients assembled at the pool, and for that very reason, no doubt, was selected by the Lord for the display of His glory.