#pool of Siloam

[blueiscoool]

Biblical Steps Where Jesus 'Healed a Blind Man' Unearthed by Archaeologists

In Jerusalem, a recent excavation effort uncovered stairs that had been hidden for more than 2,000 years near the spot where the New Testament says Jesus treated a blind man.

A new excavation project in Jerusalem has unearthed steps unseen in over 2,000 years at a place where the New Testament records Jesus as having healed a blind man.

The Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel National Parks Authority and the City of David Foundation early this year announced that the Pool of Siloam, a biblical site cherished by Christians and Jews, will be open to the public for the first time in 2,000 years in the near future.

In recent weeks, archeologists achieved significant progress in the excavation, unearthing some eight steps descending into the Pool which had not been seen in 2,000 years — around the time when Jesus walked the Earth.

“The ongoing excavations within the City of David — the historic site of Biblical Jerusalem — particularly of the Pool of Siloam and the Pilgrimage Road, serve as one of the greatest affirmations of that heritage and the millennia-old bond Jews and Christians have with Jerusalem,” Ze’ev Orenstein, director of International Affairs – City of David Foundation said.

“Not simply as a matter of faith, but as a matter of fact,” he added.

The City of David Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1986, “dedicated to the preservation and development of the City of David and its environs, and is committed to connecting people of all faiths and backgrounds to ancient Jerusalem.”

“The half-mile running through the City of David, from the Pool of Siloam in the south, continuing along the Pilgrimage Road, up to the footsteps of the Western Wall, Southern Steps and Temple Mount, represents the most significant half-mile on the planet,” Orenstein said.

“There is no half-mile anywhere on Earth which means more to more people – not to millions, but to billions — than the half-mile that is the City of David,” he added.

The pool was first built roughly 2,700 years ago as part of Jerusalem’s water system in the eighth century B.C.

The construction unfolded during the reign of King Hezekia as cited in the Bible in the Book of Kings II, 20:20, according to the two Israeli agencies and the City of David Foundation.

According to estimates, the Pool of Siloam passed through many stages of construction and reached the size of 1.25 acres.

According to a passage in the Gospel of John, Jesus restored the sight of a man born blind at the Pool of Siloam.

A small section of the pool, which has been fully excavated, has been accessible to the public for several years.

The vast majority of the pool is being excavated and will either be opened piecemeal or once the entire site is unearthed.

Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders, told Fox News Digital in January that, “In the Pool of Siloam, we find evidence of history preserved for us, revealed at just the right time.”

“Theologically, it affirms Scripture, geographically it affirms scripture, and politically it affirms Israel’s unquestionable and unrivaled link to Jerusalem. Some discoveries are theoretical. This one is an undeniable. It is proof of the story of the Bible and of its people, Israel,” he said.

A stroke of luck revealed the pool in 2004, when infrastructure work carried out by the Hagihon water company uncovered some of the pool’s steps.

The Israel Antiquities Authority, under supervision of professors Roni Reich and Eli Shukron, launched a survey.

As a result, the northern perimeter, as well as a small section of the eastern perimeter of the Pool of Siloam, were uncovered.

“Whether in the halls of the United Nations, ongoing efforts by Palestinian leadership, or on university campuses, Jerusalem’s Biblical heritage is under assault,” said Orenstein.

Orenstein noted that in few years time, visitors to the City of David will be able to witness the factual history for themselves and “see with their own eyes, touch with their own hands, and walk with their own feet upon the very stones their ancestors walked thousands of years ago, as they made their way to Jerusalem on pilgrimage.”

[secular-jew]

The tunnel of Hezekiah.

Water tunnel carved under the City of David in Jerusalem in ancient times. Its popular name is due to the most common hypothesis of its origin, namely, that it dates from the reign of Hezekiah.

The tunnel leads from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam. If indeed built under Hezekiah, it dates to a time when Jerusalem was preparing for an impending siege by the Assyrians, led by Sennacherib.

Since the Gihon Spring was already protected by a massive tower and was included in the city's defensive wall system, Jerusalem seems to have been supplied with enough water in case of siege even without this tunnel. The curving tunnel is 533 m., According to the Siloam inscription, the tunnel was excavated by two teams, one starting at each end of the tunnel and then meeting in the middle.

[freebiblestudies]

Biblical Archaeology Lesson 02: The New Testament

In our previous study, we examined ten archaeological discoveries that demonstrated the historical accuracy of the Old Testament.  Today, we will examine ten archaeological finds with relevance to the New Testament.

Let’s read together Acts 13:6-12.

Sergius Paulus inscription

A Roman proconsul was a governor or military commander of a province.  Sergius was the proconsul of Cyprus under the reign of Claudius Caesar from 45 to 50 AD.  A stone with a Greek inscription dating to 54 AD was found in northern Cypress.  The inscription referred to an event that happened earlier than 54 AD and referenced a “proconsul Paulus.”  It is very likely this inscription is speaking of the same Sergius Paulus who encountered Paul the Apostle in Paphos.

Let’s read together John 9:1-7.

Pool of Siloam

The pool of Siloam was a freshwater reservoir in the time of Jesus.  It was at this pool where Jesus miraculously cured a man of his blindness.  It was accidentally discovered in 2004 by workers doing sewage pipe maintenance in the old city of Jerusalem.  The discovery of the pool of Siloam shows that the book of John is not a purely theological book.  Rather, it is grounded in history.

Let’s read together Acts 19:22; Romans 16:23; and 2 Timothy 4:20..

Erastus inscription

A stone with a Latin inscription dating around 50 AD was found in Corinth.  The inscription translated in English reads: “Erastus in return for hisa aedileship laid (the pavement) at his own expense.”  (An aedile was a Roman magistrate in charge of public works.)  This discovery points to the historicity of Erastus, an evangelist and a socially elite individual mentioned by Paul the Apostle.

Let’s read together Matthew 26:3 and John 18:13-14.

Caiaphas ossuary

An ossuary with the engraving “Joseph son of Caiaphas” was discovered in a burial cave in the old city of Jerusalem.  The skeletal remains inside the ossuary were of a 50 year old.  This ossuary is very likely the remains of the priest who presided over the trial of Jesus.

Let’s read together Acts 21:27-30 and Ephesians 2:14.

Temple warning inscription

The Jewish historian Josephus wrote of a partition in the Jewish temple with a stone inscription forbidding foreigners from entering the temple upon penalty of death.  A complete stone inscription with such a warning was found in Jerusalem in 1871.  Interestingly, there were traces of red paint in the stone inscription, meaning it was meant to be very visible to people.

This inscription correlates with the story in Acts 21:28-30 where the Jews accused Paul of bringing in Greeks into the temple and defiling it.  Paul may have also referred to this barrier in Ephesians 2:14.

Let’s read together Leviticus 23:24 and Matthew 24:1-2.

Trumpeting place inscription

A stone with the Hebrew inscription “to the place of trumpeting” was discovered in Jerusalem, dating to the first century.  It is thought this stone was atop the southwest corner of the temple of Jerusalem before it was cast down.  This is evidence for the existence of the second temple of Jerusalem, which was destroyed in 70 AD.

Let’s read together Matthew 28:11-13.

Nazareth inscription

This stone inscription contains an edict from Caesar proclaiming the death penalty for those caught stealing bodies from tombs.  This is a rather unusual decree as grave robbers normally would steal items from tombs, but not the bodies.

It is quite possible this inscription was written by Claudius Caesar in response to hearing Christians sharing the story of Jesus’ resurrection.  Claudius would have considered Christians a dangerous anti-Roman movement.

Let’s read together Acts 18:12.

Gallio inscription

This is a collection of nine stone fragments of a letter written by Claudius Caesar in 52 AD.  The Gallio inscription was found in Delphi, Greece, which is about 50 miles northwest of Corinth.  This inscription makes mention of Junius Gallio being proconsul of Achaia.  Gallio only served as proconsul from 51 to 52 AD.  The Gallio inscription is a fixed marker that allows us to date Paul’s ministry.

Let’s read together Matthew 27:1-24 and Mark 15:1-15.

Pilate stone

Pontius Pilate was a Roman prefect governing Judea from 26 to 34 AD.  He is mentioned by the historians Josephus, Tacitus, and Philo in addition to the Gospels.  The Pilate stone confirms the historicity of Pontius Pilate.

Let’s read together John 18:31-33.

P52 fragment of John 18:31-33

This is a papyrus fragment dating to 125 to 175 AD.  This is the oldest known fragment of the New Testament Gospels.  The significance of this fragment is that it was written within 100 years of the events of the Gospels.

There has not been an archaeological find that contradicts the Bible.  The historical events recorded in the New Testament are factual.  The archaeological discoveries mentioned in this lesson should increase our trust in the Bible.

Friend, will you trust what the Bible says about historical things?  Will you trust what the Bible says about spiritual things?

[headlinehorizon]

Unearthing History: Steps Unseen for 2,000 Years Revealed at Site Where Jesus Healed

Exciting news from Jerusalem! A new excavation project has uncovered steps leading to the Pool of Siloam, a biblical site where Jesus healed a blind man. This significant discovery allows public access to the pool for the first time in two millennia. Join us as we explore this fascinating find and delve into the rich history of Jerusalem.

[stopthinkactbiblically]

Gospel of John Chapter 9

When Chapter 8 ends they’re trying to stone Messiah which didn’t concern Him a bit, but He passed a man born sightless so stopped to interact with him. His disciples questioned why was he born blind, some neighbors didn’t even recognize him, so unneighborly and Pharisee’s only concerned about their senseless rules, only Jesus seemed focused on helping him see. Jesus answered His disciples about…

[melvingaines]

Sunday School Live Stream - March 5, 2023

https://www.facebook.com/akronalliancefellowship/videos/565147962241018 Sunday school session with Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines. John 9:1-12.

[graceandpeacejoanne]

Isaiah 36: Crisis of Faith

King Hezekiah was one of only 8 good kings of Judah, who initiated much needed religious and civil reform, and turned to the Lord in time of grave crises. #Isaiah36 #2Kings18 #Sennacherib

[theologyforthelayman]

The Pool of Siloam will open to the public for the first time in 2,000 years

The Pool of Siloam is the place where, according to the Gospel of John (Jn 9:1-12), Jesus healed a man who had been blind since birth. The text reads: As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was […]The Pool of Siloam will open to the public for the first time in 2,000 years

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Excavation site of Pool of Siloam where Jesus cured a blind man to open to public

CNA Newsroom, 7 January 2023

The excavation site of the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, the place where Jesus restored sight to a blind man, will be open to the public for the first time.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the Israel National Parks Authority, and the City of David Foundation announced the start of excavations that will allow the complete exposure of the Pool of Siloam.

Visitors will be able to see the stage of the excavation of the pool that in the coming months will form part of the tourist route from the City of David to the Western Wall of Jerusalem.

According to the Old Testament, the Pool of Siloam was built during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:20).

The pool is the site of one of the most famous miracles performed by Jesus.

After Jesus smeared the eyes of a blind man with mud and saliva, he sent him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. There the man recovered his sight (John 9:1–7).

In 1980, archaeologists found the first indications of the location of this celebrated biblical site located outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.

However, they had to wait until 2005 to officially confirm their rediscovery.

“According to estimates, the Pool of Siloam went through multiple stages of development, and at the height of its glory, was approximately the size of 5 dunams (1.25 acres) and inlaid with impressive flagstones,” the spokesperson for the IAA explained.

Excavations also revealed that the pool was 225 feet wide and that there were steps on at least three sides of the pool. 

The mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion, praised the start of the project.

“The Pool of Siloam in the City of David National Park in Jerusalem is a site of historic, national, and international significance,” he said.

“After many years of anticipation, we will soon merit being able to uncover this important site and make it accessible to the millions of visitors visiting Jerusalem each year,” the mayor said.

[yoncchi]

Pool in Denver

[beellette]

Rustic Pool Denver Large rustic backyard hot tub with a rectangular shape as an idea

[myremnantarmy]

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Jn 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.

He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva,

and smeared the clay on his eyes,

and said to him,

“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.

So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,

“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”

Some said, “It is, “

but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”

He said, “I am.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.

Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.

So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.

He said to them,

“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”

So some of the Pharisees said,

“This man is not from God,

because he does not keep the sabbath.”

But others said,

“How can a sinful man do such signs?”

And there was a division among them.

So they said to the blind man again,

“What do you have to say about him,

since he opened your eyes?”

He said, “He is a prophet.”

They answered and said to him,

“You were born totally in sin,

and are you trying to teach us?”

Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,

he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

He answered and said,

“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”

Jesus said to him,

“You have seen him, and

the one speaking with you is he.”

He said,

“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

[writesaboutdragons]

365 Promises of God

Day 297 – Unless You Repent You Will Perish

I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luk 13:3 NKJV)

Read: Luke 13:1-5

Ever imagine Jesus giving a facepalm? I sure do. I bet I’ve given him plenty of reason to have one. And today’s reading is no different. Jesus had just finished in Ch12 giving a discourse on being faithful to those put over you. Then he goes on to tell them that he’d come to bring division. And asks why they can’t judge among themselves rather than bringing each other to court.

These things seem random, but they are all connected, as we will see in a moment. The question that was presented to Jesus at this point was about a group of Galileans who followed Judas Gaulonites. Their sect believed that they had no sovereign but God, and did not recognize Caesar as king, refusing to pay any tribute or tax. They went so far as to endure suffering and death rather than call any man Lord. These men had been slaughtered by Pilate INSIDE the temple, and their blood had defiled the blood of the sacrifice, turning it into an abomination.

To those standing around, this seemed to them an indication of God’s judgement. They perished, and their sins could NOT be forgiven, because their own blood defiled their own atoning sacrifices. Surely God was condemning these vile sinners to hell, as evidenced by this tragedy. And frankly, the Jews in Jerusalem often thought those backwards people living in Galilee were bigger sinners anyway. Maybe Jesus was just like them?

It’s probable that this exchange was initiated because Jesus had discussed His own lordship in Ch12, and Peter had even called Him Lord. In fact, this word, kyrios, appears NINE times in Ch12. Would this multitude surrounding him call Him Lord? Eh, no, they missed the point to stab at him.

The men Jesus was addressing had condemned their brothers on circumstantial evidence. They turned the knife, so to speak, by pointing out that they were ‘Galileans’. But Jesus answers their question with a ‘question answer’. “Do you think these ‘Galileans’ were bigger sinners than all the other ‘Galileans’ because of this?” Normally, a ‘question answer’ isn’t rhetorical. But Jesus supplies the answer FOR them, because it’s critically important.

NO! They weren’t worse sinners than any other Galileans. Away with your condemnation of others for their misfortunes. Instead, look in a mirror and consider your OWN soul. Unless you REPENT, you will all likewise perish. Sadly, this was a prophesy and a promise. Because this tragedy DID happen to many standing there, in AD70, when Titus invaded Jerusalem to quell an uprising, and slaughtered a multitude there inside the temple where they’d taken refuge.

Jesus doesn’t stop there, though. He asks another question, much closer to home, about a tower in Jerusalem, overlooking the Pool of Siloam, that fell on and crushed 18 people. These weren’t ‘Galileans’. They were your close neighbors. Yet some random tragedy, an act of God so to speak, had happened, and killed them all. Were they worse sinners than all of YOU?

Again, he doesn’t leave the question unanswered. Away with your bigotry about the Galileans. Away with your condemnation of others. Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. And again, this is a prophesy that was fulfilled in AD70, when Rome, destroying Jerusalem, tore down towers, buildings, and walls, crushing the inhabitants of Jerusalem under the rubble.

Yet this sad promise doesn’t just pertain to the men standing there, does it? The statement Jesus makes here is critical for all of us to pay attention to. Hell is hot, and we are not. Unless WE repent, there’s outer darkness and weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth and a lake of fire.

‘Repent’ is not a word we like. It indicates we’ve done something wrong. It tells us we are headed the wrong way, and need to turn around. Most of us would like to avoid that word. To pretend we are all ok, doing what we are doing, and that somebody else is the ‘bad guy’. But when we take a good hard look at the person in the mirror, we understand the truth. It’s only by His mercy and grace that we have any hope of avoiding the eternal ‘perish’ indicated here.

It's my prayer that this promise is NOT for any of us. But even if you, reading this right now, realize this promise is aimed at you, it begins with a sweet word. The word, UNLESS. The same word the Lorax left at the end of that Seuss classic, and it’s the same word left for you and me. That word gives us hope, that there’s a chance. A chance to avoid all that unpleasant eternal lake of fire. The judgement we deserve, but can avoid, through that simple word, repent.

This Greek word, metanoeo, is found 34 times in the New Testament, and each time translated ‘repent’. It means to turn around. Turn from sin to God. Agree with God that what you were doing was wrong. It’s so simple, yet so hard, sometimes. And everything depends on it.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for another chance. You are always giving me second chances. Lord, I repent of what I’ve been doing that wasn’t right and good and pure. Help me to follow you with all my heart, today. Amen

[melvingaines]

Live Stream Sunday School - March 5, 2023

https://www.facebook.com/gaines.melvin/videos/604771777707409 Sunday school session for Akron Alliance Fellowship Church, Akron OH. John 9:1-12.

[walkswithmyfather]

‭‭John 9:1-7 (ESV).‬‬ “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.”

“Jesus Is Interruptible” by In Touch Ministries:

“Choose to see interruptions as opportunities to love like Jesus.”

“In our passage today, the Lord was on His way somewhere but stopped to heal a blind man. He could easily have passed by—Jesus was a busy man, after all. But He allowed Himself to be interrupted, and one person’s life was forever changed.

“I am the Light of the world,” Jesus said before applying mud to the man’s sightless eyes (v. 5). The thought of putting mud in a blind man’s eyes to clear his vision might seem strange to us today. However, Jewish onlookers may have recognized this as a medical practice of the day. It’s even possible they interpreted it as a new act of creation, since mud could have reminded them of God forming Adam from the dust of the earth. If such scriptural imagery was, in fact, Jesus’ intention, it would convey that He truly was the Word who was with God in the beginning—one with God Himself.

Whatever the reason for this unusual-sounding treatment, we know that dirt and saliva became holy instruments in Jesus’ healing hands. So let’s consider what God might be doing in our midst and pray for His direction as we seek to love others through our time and attention. It’s exciting to realize that if we’re willing to alter our plans, we may become vessels of His healing work.”

(Photo by Jack Sharp at Unsplash)

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel National Parks Authority and the City of David Foundation early this year announced that the Pool of Siloam, a biblical site cherished by Christians and Jews, will be open to the public for the first time in 2,000 years in the near future...