Originally Posted by
Tehilah Ba'Aretz
The archaeological evidence is clear that there was worship to the Hellenistic god of healing at the pool called Bethesda. You might find it interesting to look up a picture of the statue depicting the god. He looks like an angel, wings and all!
Hellenistic culture emphasizes two core values and you can understand the entire culture if you begin with their places in the society. They are: hedonism as defined as the worship of pleasure and esthetics as defined by the worship of beauty. You see, sick people are not pretty nor are they any fun. So in the Hellenistic culture, the person who is most healthy is the best candidate for healing. The other sick people are not fit for the ideals of the society and can just die quietly in the corner or be put out of their misery. The one who can jump up and get into the pool is more deserving of healing than the guy who cannot move without help.