Archaeologists discover steps leading to ancient biblical site where Jesus healed a blind man.
Archaeologists Unearth Steps to Pool of Siloam, Where Jesus Healed a Blind Man
In an exciting discovery, archaeologists in Jerusalem have uncovered steps leading down to the Pool of Siloam, a site of immense historical and religious significance. This is the very place where, according to Biblical records, Jesus Christ performed a miraculous healing over 2,000 years ago.
“It’s exciting to be a part of a story that’s bigger than ourselves — to be a part of bringing a story to life that has significance not for millions, but for billions,” Ze’ev Orenstein, director of international affairs for the City of David Foundation, told Fox News Digital.
This remarkable find is the result of an ongoing excavation project in the ancient city of Jerusalem, carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel National Parks Authority, and the City of David Foundation. The City of David Foundation aims to preserve and develop the city and its surroundings, fostering connections among people of different faiths and backgrounds.
The excavation project began in 2004, following a burst water pipe near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Construction crews and archaeologists seized the opportunity to explore the historic site of Biblical Jerusalem. Recently, they made a significant discovery: a set of eight steps, equivalent in size to two Olympic swimming pools, dating back to the time when Jesus and countless others used the pool for ritual bathing.
According to the Gospel of John, the story of Jesus healing the blind man at the pool unfolds when Jesus and His disciples encounter a man who has been blind since birth. The disciples inquire whether the man’s condition is a result of his own actions or those of his parents. Jesus responds that neither is the case, but rather, the man was born blind so that God’s work could be revealed through him.
“We must do the work of him who sent me while day lasts; night is coming when no man can work,” Jesus said. “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Jesus proceeds to apply clay made from the ground and His saliva to the blind man’s eyes, instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The blind man follows Jesus’ command, washes the clay from his eyes, and returns with his vision miraculously restored.
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The construction of the Pool of Siloam began over 2,700 years ago, when Judean King Hezekiah ordered the digging of a tunnel under the City of David. This tunnel, spanning 1,750 feet, brought water from the Gihon Spring outside the city walls to a pool on the opposite side of the ridge. King Hezekiah foresaw the potential threat of an Assyrian attack and believed that a secure water supply would aid the survival of the Judeans. The tunnel continued to supply fresh water to Jerusalem, leading to the construction of various pools, including the Second Temple pool known to Jesus.
Today, this biblical site holds immense significance for Christians and Jews worldwide. Ze’ev Orenstein emphasizes the importance of the ongoing excavations within the City of David, stating that they affirm the heritage and deep bond that Jews and Christians share with Jerusalem. The site, stretching from the Pool of Siloam to the Western Wall, Southern Steps, and Temple Mount, represents the most significant half-mile on the planet.
“There is no half mile that means more to more people that affirms Jerusalem’s biblical heritage not simply as a matter of faith, but as a matter of fact,” Orenstein asserts.
In January, Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders, expressed his awe at the Pool of Siloam discovery, stating, “In the Pool of Siloam, we find evidence of history preserved for us, revealed at just the right time.” He further emphasizes that this discovery not only affirms scripture theologically and geographically, but also solidifies Israel’s undeniable connection to Jerusalem.
While a small section of the pool has been accessible to visitors in the past, the City of David plans to open the entire historic site once the excavation project is complete. Ze’ev Orenstein acknowledges the responsibility and privilege of this endeavor, expressing his belief that the best is yet to come.
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