The manuscript evidence for John 5:4 is complex and suggests that this verse was likely a later addition to the original text. According to the articles, the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts, including Papyrus 66, Papyrus 75, Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus, and Codex Bezae, do not contain verse 4[1][2]. This absence is also noted in early translations such as the Old Syriac, Coptic versions, and Latin Vulgate[2]. The verse is considered by scholars to be an expansion added to explain the man’s statement in verse 7, using vocabulary that is not typical of John’s writing style[1][3]. The earliest known reference to this verse comes from Tertullian, suggesting its later origin[2]. Some later manuscripts include verse 4, along with an additional line in verse 3, explaining the belief about an angel stirring the waters[3]. However, the variations in manuscript evidence, including some that omit only part of verse 3 or only verse 4, further support the view that these were later additions[4]. Due to this evidence, many modern translations either omit verse 4, place it in brackets, or mention it in a note[3].

[1] Houghton, H. A. G. 2018. “The Text of the Gospel and Letters of John.” In The Oxford Handbook of Johannine Studies, edited by Judith M. Lieu and Martinus C. de Boer, First Edition, 13. Oxford Handbooks. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.
[2] Robertson, A.T. 1933. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.
[3] Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. 2012, 2016. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] Sailer, William, J. Creighton Christman, David C. Greulich, Harold P. Scanlin, Stephen J. Lennox, and Phillip Guistwite. 2012. Religious and Theological Abstracts. Myerstown, PA: Religious and Theological Abstracts.