In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water;
Moving of the water - It appears that this pool had medicinal properties only when it was “agitated” or “stirred.” It is probable that at regular times or intervals the fountain put forth an unusual quantity of water, or water of special properties, and that “about” these times the people assembled in multitudes who were to be healed.