A harmony upon the the three Evangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke with the commentary…A harmonie vpon the the three Euangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke with the commentarie…

1 After this was the feast day. Although the Evangelist doeth not in plain words express what day this was, yet we may well guess that he meaneth Whitsuntide, if so be that which is here recited was done immediately after that Christ came into Galilee. For he went from Jerusalem immediately after Easter, and going through Samaria, he made account that it was four months until harvest: entering into Galilee, he healed the rulers son. The Evangelist addeth immediately after, that this feast day followed. Therefore the course and respect of time persuadeth us to think, that he speaketh in this place of Pentecost, although I will nor greatly strive about that matter. But Jesus came unto the feast day unto Jerusalem, partly because there was greater opportunity to spread abroad doctrine, then, by reason of the concourse of people: partly because he must be obedient to the law, that he might deliver all men from the bondage of the law, as we have said else where already.

1 After this was the feast day. Although the Euangelist doeth not in plaine words expresse what day this was, yet we may well gesse that he meaneth VVhitsuntide, if so be that which is here recited was done immediately after that Christ came into Galilee. For he went from Ierusalem immediately after Easter, and going through Samaria, he made account that it was foure monethes vntill haruest: entring into Galilee, he healed the rulers sonne. The Euangelist addeth immediately after, that this feast day followed. Therfore the course and respect of tyme persuadeth vs to thinke, that he speaketh in this place of Pentecost, although I will nor greatly striue about that matter. But Iesus came vnto the feast day vnto Ierusalem, partly because there was greater opportunitie to spread abroad doctrine, then, by reason of the cōcourse of people: partly because he must be obedient to the law, that he might deliuer all men from the bondage of the law, as we haue said els where alreadie.

2 A pool beside the sheep market. The circumstance of the place is added: whence we gather that the miracle was not obscure or known unto a few only. For that the place was much frequented, both the five porches do declare, and the nighness of the temple also did require thus much. Moreover, the Evangelist saith flatly, that many sick folks laid there. As touching the word it self, the learned do worthily reject the vain surmise of Jerome, who maketh Betheder of Bethesda, and interpreteth it an house of a flock. For there is in this place mention made of a pool which was nigh unto the sheep market. They also do it with reason who read it Bethseda as it were a place of fishing. Therefore their opinion is more sound who expound it a place of pouring out. For ashd doth signify amongest the Hebritians a flowing. But the Evangelist did pronounce it Esda, after the manner of the Chaldeans, as the common use of the tongue did then require.