John 5:4

An Exegetical Analysis of the Imperfect Tense in John 5:4

The passage of John 5:4, though textually disputed, presents a rich grammatical challenge concerning the usage of the imperfect tense, specifically in the verb ἐγίνετο (from γίνομαι). This analysis aims to illuminate the semantic and pragmatic functions of the imperfect tense within this verse, examining its implications for understanding the customary nature of the events described and their theological background. The discussion will navigate the textual status of the verse, delve into the lexical nuances of key terms, and explore various interpretative possibilities for translation, ultimately suggesting that the imperfect signals a general, repeated past action, rather than a single, ongoing event.

ἀγγελος γαρ κατα καιρον κατεβαινεν εν τη κολυμβηθρα και εταρασσεν το υδωρ ο ουν πρωτος εμβας μετα την ταραχην του υδατος υγιης εγινετο ω δηποτε κατειχετο νοσηματι

(Based on the Byzantine Text-type, often associated with the critical tradition that informed early Nestle editions for this verse, though it is not present in later critical editions.)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• The entire verse (John 5:4) is absent from the SBLGNT (2010).
• The SBLGNT (2010), in alignment with modern critical editions like NA28, considers this verse a later scribal addition, not part of the original Johannine text.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)

Textual Criticism (NA28):
Verse 4 of John 5 is notably absent from the critical text of the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece, 28th edition (NA28), and is typically enclosed in double square brackets in earlier editions (e.g., NA27), signifying its highly dubious textual standing. This verse, along with a portion of verse 3 (from ἐκδεχομένων), is considered a later gloss, likely added to explain the disturbance of the water mentioned in verse 7. Manuscripts that contain the verse show considerable variation in wording, further indicating its secondary nature. The strongest textual witnesses (e.g., 𝔓⁶⁶, 𝔓⁷⁵, א, B, C*, D*) omit the verse entirely. Thus, while our grammatical analysis proceeds for exegetical purposes, it is crucial to acknowledge that this verse is not considered an authentic part of the original Gospel of John by the vast majority of textual critics.

Lexical Notes:

• γίνομαι (verb, imperfect: ἐγίνετο):
  • BDAG (s.v. γίνομαι, I.1.a.γ): Primarily means “to become, happen, come into existence.” When used in the imperfect, particularly in descriptive or narrative contexts, it can denote a customary or repeated action in the past. It signifies that something “used to happen” or “would happen” regularly.
  • KITTEL (s.v. γίνομαι): The article on γίνομαι in Kittel’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) emphasizes its broad semantic range from “coming into being” to “happening” or “occurring.” In the imperfect, its iterative or habitual aspect is often highlighted, describing conditions or events that were recurring in the past, rather than a single, continuous event. This aligns with the concept of a “past general condition.”
• καταβαίνω (verb, imperfect: κατεβαινεν): “To go down, descend.” The imperfect form here functions similarly to ἐγίνετο, indicating a repeated or customary descent of the angel.
• ταράσσω (verb, imperfect: ἐταρασσεν): “To stir up, trouble.” Again, the imperfect suggests a habitual or repeated troubling of the water.
• κατά καιρόν (prepositional phrase): “From time to time, periodically, at the proper season.” This phrase strongly reinforces the iterative and customary nature conveyed by the imperfect verbs.
• πρῶτος ἐμβάς (participial phrase): “The first one stepping in.” This refers to a specific instance within the general pattern, indicating that in *each* instance of the water being troubled, the *first* one to enter would be healed.

Translation Variants and Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The core exegetical issue within John 5:4 revolves around the imperfect tense of ἐγίνετο, alongside the parallel imperfects κατεβαινεν and ἐταρασσεν. The consensus among grammarians and lexicographers (as reflected in BDAG and the spirit of Kittel’s entries on γίνομαι) suggests that these imperfects here convey an iterative or habitual aspect, describing events that occurred repeatedly in the past. This is further supported by the phrase κατά καιρόν (“from time to time” or “periodically”).

Grammatical Analysis:

1. Iterative/Customary Imperfect: The primary function of ἐγίνετο in this context is to describe what “used to happen” or “would happen” regularly. It depicts a customary pattern of events: an angel *would descend* periodically, *would stir* the water, and consequently, the first person to enter *would become* well. This is distinct from a continuous imperfect that describes an ongoing action in a single past event (e.g., “he was becoming well” during a specific healing). The passage explicitly negates the idea of a single, ongoing process of “becoming well” for one individual; rather, it describes a repeated pattern of individuals becoming well.
2. Past General Condition: As noted in the source material, this structure is analogous to a “past general condition.” In classical Greek, such conditions often employed the optative in the protasis (the “if” clause) and the imperfect indicative in the apodosis (the “then” clause) to describe what *would ordinarily happen* if a certain condition was met. Although the protasis here is not explicitly stated with a conditional particle (like εἰ), the circumstantial participial phrase μετά την ταραχήν του ύδατος (“after the troubling of the water”) functions as the condition. Thus, “when the water was troubled (condition), the first person to enter *would become* well (result).”
3. Parallel Imperfects: The consistent use of the imperfect (κατεβαινεν, ἐταρασσεν, ἐγίνετο) across the entire description strongly reinforces this sense of habitual occurrence. The angel’s descent and the troubling of the water are also depicted as repeated occurrences, setting the stage for the repeated healings.

Rhetorical Analysis:
The imperfect tense here functions rhetorically to provide background information for the subsequent narrative (John 5:5ff.). The particle γάρ (“for”) preceding the first imperfect verb (κατεβαινεν) explicitly marks this clause as explanatory. The passage sets a general scene of customary activity at the pool, explaining *why* people were gathered there and *how* the healings purportedly occurred. This backgrounding clarifies the context for the man’s long illness and his hope for healing. The repeated nature of the events underscores the established tradition and popular belief surrounding the pool, which then frames Jesus’ unique act of healing in the subsequent verses.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

Based on the grammatical analysis, the imperfect tense of ἐγίνετο in John 5:4, in conjunction with the other imperfects and the phrase κατά καιρόν, unequivocally denotes a customary or habitual action in the past. It describes a repeated pattern of events rather than a single, continuous, or ongoing event of becoming well. This interpretation aligns with the understanding of a past general condition and serves to provide explanatory background for the narrative.

Given these findings, here are three suggested translations, each with a brief explanation highlighting the nuance of the imperfect:

1. “For an angel would periodically descend into the pool and stir the water. Then, the first one who stepped in after the troubling of the water *would become* well, whatever disease held him.”
   This translation emphasizes the regular, repeated nature of the angel’s actions and the subsequent healings, using “would” to clearly indicate habitual past action.

2. “For from time to time an angel used to go down into the pool and stir the water; whoever stepped in first after the disturbance of the water *used to get* well, no matter what disease afflicted him.”
   This version employs “used to” to convey the customary aspect of the imperfect, maintaining a clear sense of past, repeated occurrences.

3. “For at certain seasons, an angel descended into the pool and agitated the water. The first one to step in after the water’s agitation *was healed*, regardless of the affliction that held him.”
   While “was healed” might sometimes imply a single event, in this context, coupled with “at certain seasons” and the preceding imperfects, it can effectively communicate the recurring outcome within the general pattern. The passive voice also subtly shifts focus to the recipient of the action, which is acceptable here given the context of healing.

Each suggestion accurately reflects the iterative and customary meaning of the imperfect tense, conveying that the healing of the first person was a recurrent phenomenon tied to the periodic disturbance of the water.