Note 3 at Jn. 5:6: On the surface, this might seem like an unnecessary question, but of course, Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. There are two possible reasons for Jesus asking this question: (1) This man didn't know who Jesus was, and so Jesus approached him and gained his attention with this question; (2) Many people desired to be healed and go through the motions of trying to get well, but inwardly have lost the will to fight and have fallen into despondency and self-pity. Either or both of these reasons could have been the motive behind the question.