FABRICATIONS · INTERPOLATIONS
The Angel Stirring Waters Addition
...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.
The note about an angel stirring the waters is missing from the earliest manuscripts, suggesting it was added later to explain why people waited by the pool. Recognizing such additions shows how local traditions influenced the text, raising questions about whether all elements truly reflect the original revelation.
THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
The inclusion provides context for why the invalids were waiting by the pool. Whether original or not, it explains the belief held by people at the time. Early scribes may have added the angel detail as a marginal note explaining a local belief, later included in the text aiming to clarify the narrative.
THE ISLAMIC POSITION
Inserting explanations not found in the original text alters the narrative and raises doubt about the Scripture’s authenticity. This compromises the book’s purity, as it shows scribes were willing to add legends or traditions, blurring the line between authentic teaching and later folklore, and casting doubt on the text’s historical integrity.
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The Angel Stirring Waters Addition