While the New Testament does not explicitly name the angel at the pool of Bethesda, tradition widely identifies this healing angel as Raphael.
The biblical account, found in the Gospel of John, describes a pool in Jerusalem where many disabled people gathered, believing that an angel would periodically stir the waters, and the first person to enter the pool afterward would be healed.
The Biblical Account
The Gospel of John (John 5:1–4) describes the scene at the Pool of Bethesda:
"After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."
It is crucial to note that this passage describes the action of an angel but does not provide any specific name for it.
Traditional Identification with Raphael
Despite the biblical silence on the angel's name, Christian tradition, particularly in some denominations, associates the angel of Bethesda with Raphael. This identification stems from several key reasons:
- Association with Healing: Raphael is widely recognized as the archangel of healing. His name itself, "Raphael," means "God heals" or "God has healed" in Hebrew. This strong connection to healing aligns perfectly with the angel's role at Bethesda.
- Presence in Apocryphal Texts: Raphael is prominently featured in the Book of Tobit, an ancient Jewish text included in the Apocrypha (or Deuterocanonical books by some traditions). In Tobit, Raphael acts as a divine guide and healer, restoring Tobit's sight and assisting Tobias in his journey. This narrative solidifies his image as a compassionate and restorative divine messenger.
- Limited Named Angels in New Testament: The New Testament explicitly names only two archangels:
- Michael: Known as a powerful warrior and protector (Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7).
- Gabriel: Recognized as a divine messenger, famously delivering announcements to Zechariah and Mary (Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26).
Given that only Michael and Gabriel are named, and Raphael's strong association with healing is well-established in related ancient Jewish and Christian literature, it became natural for tradition to identify him with the unnamed angel of the healing pool.
Summary of Angelic Mentions
Here's a brief overview of commonly recognized angels and their associations:
| Angel Name | Primary Biblical Role / Traditional Association | Key References (Examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Michael | Archangel, warrior, protector of Israel | Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7 |
| Gabriel | Archangel, divine messenger, revealer of truth | Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26 |
| Raphael | Archangel of healing, guide (Traditional) | Book of Tobit (Apocrypha) |
| Unnamed Angel of Bethesda | Stirred waters for healing (Biblical) | John 5:1-4 |
In conclusion, while the Bible does not explicitly name the angel at the Pool of Bethesda, the consistent tradition identifies this angel with Raphael due to his profound association with healing and divine restoration.
