Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades.
Bethesda in Hebrew/Aramaic means house (beth) of grace (hesda). Other locations that start with beth are; Bethel (House of God), Bethlehem (House of Bread), Bethsaida (House of Fish). Bet (beth) is also the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet (and also used for the number 2).
Interestingly, until the 19th century, it was believed that the Gospel of John was written much later than it was by an author who was unfamiliar with the Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. There was no evidence, outside of the Bible, that the pool existed. That is, until it was discovered in the 19th century.
Also remarkable is the third word in the verse: is. In Greek, as in English, it is a present tense, third-person, singular, indicative verb. In other words, it’s not was (the passage also uses has five roofed colonnades, not had). John is referencing something that currently exists. It didn’t exist after 70ad as Jerusalem, and particularly the temple, was destroyed. Yet the Gospel of John is predominately dated as being written 90-100. If the text had been written after 70ad, verse 1 would not use present tense verbs to denote the pool and gate’s existence.
Some have argued that the pool was used to wash the animals being prepared for sacrifice. However, the pool is 13 meters deep, so others argue that it is unlikely such a pool would be used for this purpose. Rather, they argue that the pool was used as a water basin for the needs of the temple.
The Sheep Gate was the first gate built during the rebuilding of Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah.
Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel.