Pool of Siloam: A Special Place Where Jesus Made the Blind See
Located outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem lies the Pool of Siloam. This rock-cut pool on the southern slope of the City of David has special significance. In the Book of John, it mentions the Pool of Siloam as the site where Jesus performed a miracle to allow a blind man to see again.
Just imagine being a fly on the wall during this time at the Pool of Siloam. Through Jesus’ divine power, He made a blind man see! Let us find peace and trust that Jesus not only performed a miracle at the pool, but that He performs miracles every day for you and me.
He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing! ( NLT)
Not only were miracles performed there, the Siloam Pool also served as a fresh water source for the city’s inhabitants and used as a ‘Mikveh,’ or a bath, for ritual Jewish bathing. Some scholars even claim that is was used as a Roman-style swimming pool.
A nearby attraction that is not to be missed is the Siloam Tunnel. The tunnel leads from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam. This is one of the best adventures in Jerusalem; this will definitely be the highlight in the City of David. In 701 BCE, King Hezekiah created a 1,500-foot-long tunnel to protect Jerusalem’s water source. The Gihon Spring was their main source of water and this incredible engineering feat protected their water supply from invading Assyrians.
When Hezekiah realized that Sennacherib also intended to attack Jerusalem, he consulted with his officials and military advisers, and they decided to stop the flow of the springs outside the city. They organized a huge work crew to stop the flow of the springs, cutting off the brook that ran through the fields. For they said, “Why should the kings of Assyria come here and find plenty of water?” ( NLT)
As you journey down the 1,500-foot tunnel, wading through the water, you’ll notice your flashlight picking up countless pickaxe marks all over the walls. An ancient inscription was found that describes the construction of the tunnel. It states that a team of diggers started at each end, listening for the sound of their axes, and eventually met in the middle. This tour is safe and suitable for all ages, takes about 45 minutes, and will be one of the highlights of your trip.
