What does John 5:1 mean?

Jewish men living in or around Jerusalem were required to attend several festivals within the city each year (Deuteronomy 16:16). This passage does not specifically mention which festival, but for the purposes of the story it makes no difference. Jesus had left the area not long after His conversation with Nicodemus (John 3). The Pharisees were beginning to take action against the ministries of both Jesus and John the Baptist. Since that was not the right time for a confrontation, Jesus passed through Samaria on His way to Galilee (John 4:5).

This verse begins with the phrase "after this," which is a reference to the end of chapter 4. Jesus has just healed the son of a court official (John 4:46–54). This was the second of John's seven "signs"—miracles—which are recorded to prove that Jesus in, in fact, God.

The miracle Jesus is about to perform presents several interesting contrasts with the healing of the official's son. That miracle was somewhat private, performed at a distance, and on behalf of a man who specifically sought out Jesus for a miracle. The man Christ will heal in chapter 5 will be healed in public, and in person, even though he is unable to seek healing on his own, and almost seems disinterested.