When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to be made well?"
Jesus is talking about that ministry that He's going to have very soon to those faithful, who with Abraham were waiting the fulfillment of the promise of God. Those who died in faith, not having received the promise, but seeing it afar off were embracing it, holding on to it, waiting for that redemption to be completed.