Echoes of the Ancient New Testament Cities: Jerusalem

Matthew James Elliott

Have you ever researched something that made your passion for history explode? What about something that captured your drive to write so much that you simply could not let it go? That is what researching cities from the New Testament era has done to me. It was no different as I took the time to research the city of Jerusalem for today's post. Few cities have their history as well-documented as this one.

As I began drafting my thoughts together for this article, I found that I had collected so much information that I could probably write a book on it. Well… you're in for a really long post today…. I’m just kidding… To keep my words decently paced, I thought it would be great to use an analogy so…. 

Jerusalem was a city shaped like a clay pot in the hands of history’s potter. It was shaped by valleys and kings, prophets and pilgrims, and molded through fire. The walls of the city rose like the rim of a vessel meant to hold it with care and protect what was sacred. But just as clay can crack under intense heat, so too can a city devoted to something greater. 

The temple was Jerusalem's pride. It was meant to give the city purpose, just like the hollow of a clay pot gives purpose to its creation. Over time, it became the focal point for pilgrims from all walks of life, drawn to honor their faith.

Jerusalem was divided into multiple sectors. The upper city was home to the wealthy elite and priests. It featured lavish homes with mosaic floors and private baths. The lower city was densely populated with artisans, merchants, and pilgrims. While the Temple dominated the city’s skyline, surrounded by courts and ritual bathhouses, the Antonia Fortress stood as the military stronghold anchoring it all. Sacred sites like the pools of Bethesda and Siloam added to the city’s spiritual rhythm.

During the time of Jesus’ Ministry and the Early Church, their influence brought hope but also strife. The tension that burned throughout the city because of the influence these two movements had on city life was astronomical. It led to the arrest and eventual death of several leaders of the ministry. This included people like John the Baptist, Jesus of Nazareth, Stephen, and James, the brother of John—one of the Twelve—who was executed by Herod Agrippa I. Years later, James, the brother of Jesus, who led the Jerusalem church, was also martyred. As the burning continued to spread, cracks formed all over this once beautiful pot of multi-generational and multi-cultural worship. 

Acts 8:1-3 provides a clear image of some of what took place, but between 66 and 70AD, things got worse. With the rising tensions between the Romans and the Jews, Rome retaliated with an even stronger fire. When the revolt erupted in 66 AD, it was fierce and full of hope. Rome responded with crushing force, led by General Titus. He led a brutal siege against the city. By 70 AD, the Temple—Jerusalem’s heart and spiritual center—was gone, consumed by flames that devoured much of the city. 

The people were scattered, much like the shards of a clay pot when it overheats and explodes. Josephus, a historian writing around 110 AD, provided very detailed insight into what took place and claimed that over a million lives were lost. For the Jewish people, it was the end of an era. Early Christians fled the city, leaving behind everything they had ever known, so they could hide from the persecution. But let me ask you here, can a broken clay pot be remade? It sure can, as long as you can collect all the broken pieces. 

For the early believers, the burning of Jerusalem became a turning point. With the temple gone, the center of faith shifted, and the clay vessel that shattered amid the chaos that erupted, those pieces were carried into a new world, where the pot was reformed into something bigger and better than anyone ever thought possible. Believers found new homes in cities like Antioch of Syria, our next stop on this tour of the ancient New Testament cities, as well as others.

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned about crafting a clay pot is that, to refine and increase its value, sometimes it needs a little heat. In truth, you need that heat, while it may be ever so subtle, to start molding that clay pot in the first place. Though Jerusalem fell into the grip of tension, revolt, and the eventual destruction of its Temple, something more refined and beautiful was born out of it. That, my friends, is something worth remembering. 

See you in the pages, M.J.E. (PS, Next month we are heading to Antioch of Syria, the city where Saul/Paul's first missionary journey began with John Mark and Barnabas. There is more to that city than meets the eye, and I can't wait to share more.) (PSS, This month, I'm participating in the Mid-Month Madness Event, Its going to be fun and my newest release, The Hope of Inheritance, is up for grabs.)

 ~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is married and has three wonderful children who bring him immense joy and inspiration. One of his favorite things to do with them is to share stories they can someday learn from. When writing a story, he aspires to minister to others with love, equip them with encouragement, and use the gift God has given him as a writer to help readers experience God in a real and meaningful way.

Find Matthew on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, BookBub, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

My Newest Biblical Fiction Novel, The Hope of Inheritance, came out on Father's Day and has received a ChristLit Book Award for excellence in Christian Literature. Grab it via Amazon. If you enjoy it, please let me know by posting a review.

One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors.

Together, their Message will speak to Many.

The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. 

The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.

Herod the Great:

How a Non-Jew Became King of the Jews

 

Scattered through the Bible we find several references to Herod, almost as if they all refer to one ruler. But research identifies at least three related individuals. In this post, we'll focus on Herod I (c. 72—4 BC or 1 AD). But first, we'll take a look at a major antagonistic force in his life, the Hasmonean Dynasty.

 

Who Were The Hasmoneans?

Ancient Medallion Salome Alexandra

Beginning around 143 BC, descendants of the fighting Maccabee family founded a ruling dynasty of ancient Judea known as the Hasmoneans, derived from an ancestor, Hasmoneus. 

Fast-forward several generations to Salome Alexandra, a beloved Hasmonean queen who ruled Judea for nine peaceful years (76-65 BC.) Her death, however, put her two sons in conflict. Hyrcanus II had a peaceable but timid nature. His ambitious younger brother, Aristobulus, assembled an army of mercenaries and marched on Jerusalem intent on dethroning his brother. 

After several battles, the younger brother captured Jerusalem. Hyrcanus conceded, and the brothers came to a peaceful solution. Hyrcanus would be the high priest and Aristobulus king. The Hasmonean brothers might have ruled cooperatively, if not for Antipater the Idumean.

 

Who was Antipater?

 

Antipater shows Caesar his scars.
Wiki Commons

Antipater, the satrap of Idumea (formerly Edom), spotted an opportunity to gain power by allying himself with the more controllable brother, by telling Hyrcanus his brother planned to have him assassinated. Antipater then suggested they ask the Nabateans for help.

 

Conflicts between the Hasmonean brothers resumed and escalated until Antipater aligned Hyrcanus with the Romans. As a favor to Antipater, Caesar appointed Hyrcanus as Ethnarch of Judea in 47 BC.

Herod's Rise to Power

 

But the Jews resented Rome and Antipater, who had brokered the conflicts that delivered Judea to Rome. They regarded Antipater as a nominal Jew, an “Ishmaelite” who had only reluctantly converted to Judaism. Despite their distaste, Antipater's influence continued to grow, and he named two of his sons governor, Phasael and Herod.

 

One of Herod's first official acts further alienated him from his constituents. He captured a band of Jewish dissenters and, wanting to please Caesar, executed them without a trial, in blatant disregard of Jewish Law. This increased Jewish distrust of the "Idumean usurpers." Judean leaders and weeping mothers of the slain finally convinced Hyrcanus to summon Herod before the Council. 

 

Defiant, he appeared before the court clad, not in black as was customary, but in purple and surrounded by armed escort. He offered no excuse but proffered a letter from Caesar threatening Hyrcanus with dire consequences were Herod not cleared of charges.

 

Shemaya, President of the Council said, "Is it not the intention of the accused to put us to death if we pronounce him guilty? And yet I must blame him less than the king and you, who suffer such contempt to be cast upon the Law. Know then, that he, before whom you are all trembling, will one day deliver you to the sword of the executioner."

 

Herod emerged unscathed and continued to advance in Rome's favor by promptly paying war taxes and sending Judean soldiers to support Rome during periods of unrest.

 

Murders, Marriage, and War

 

Prise de Jerusalem par Herod le Grande
Public Domain via WikiCommons

Like his father, Herod displayed shrewdness in political maneuvers. The flip side of his perspicacity caused him to suspect everyone, even family members, of treachery. His suspicions were not always unfounded. Antipater was assassinated by a man seeking the Idumean's influential position. But Herod quickly avenged his father's death and stepped into his shoes. Herod subsequently quelled a revolt against Rome and Hyrcanus gave his beautiful granddaughter, Mariamne, as a prize. Marriage to the popular Hasmonean princess further solidified Herod's position, but he also loved her—obsessively.

 

After the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, the Jewish Nationalist Party met with the victor Antony, plotting to end Herod's rule. But Herod reminded Antony how his father, Antipater, had supported Antony in eastern battles. Hyrcanus added his support, and Antony ratified Herod's appointments in Judea.

 

Overcoming Upheavals and Eliminating Rivals

 

In 40 BC, a Parthenian attack placed the Hasmonean Antigonus back on the throne of Palestine. Herod and his family escaped to the fortress of Masada. Leaving them there, he sought help from Cleopatra. When she only offered a generalship in her army, he fled to Rome and appealed to the Senate, where his skillful diplomacy won over another Roman—Octavianus. 

 

Herod was promised the throne and given a small army, but two generals supposedly supporting him had been bribed by Antigonus, so he was unsuccessful at first. He returned in 37 BC with a larger Roman force and laid siege to Jerusalem.

 

When Jerusalem fell, Herod convinced Antony to execute the Hasmonean Antigonus, along with forty-five prominent supporters. To fill Herod's empty treasury, their estates were confiscated and their bodies shook to loose hidden gold from their shrouds.

 

The Murder of Aristobulus
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

During his interim rule, Antigonus had sliced off the ears of his elder brother Hyrcanus, this mutilation disqualifying him from returning to the high priesthood. Needing a new high priest, Herod chose an unknown Babylonian Jew. Herod's mother-in-law, Alexandra, thought her son, Aristobulus, entitled to the office. She complained to her friend Cleopatra, sending her a portrait of the youth. Antony, who was rumored to enjoy both men and women, asked for Aristobulus to visit. Herod feared Antony's influence could make his handsome Hasmonean brother-in-law a rival, so he quickly named Aristobulus high priest.

 

But when young Aristobulus appeared in his priestly robes, he was enthusiastically cheered by the Jews. Now sure that Aristobulus presented a threat, Herod bribed several young men to drown Mariamne's brother in the baths, making it appear a foolish drunken accident. Though Herod professed grief, his mother-in-law was not fooled. She wrote Cleopatra again, who told Antony, who summoned Herod.

 

Jealousy and Obsession

 

When Herod left Jerusalem, Herod ordered his Uncle Joseph to kill Mariamne should he die in Egypt, "so they might be together in the afterlife." Joseph let the plot slip to Mariamne, later confessing the gaffe to his wife, Salome. Herod’s sister saw means of ridding herself of a husband she had tired of and revenging herself on the woman who often taunted Salome about Idumean ancestry. 

 

When Herod returned, again having talked his way out of a tricky situation, Salome told Herod that Mariamne and Joseph had committed adultery in his absence. At first, Herod ignored the charge, but when Mariamne accused Herod of wanting her dead, he concluded Joseph must have revealed the plot during a moment of passion. He executed his uncle. Though Mariamne was allowed to live, seeds of distrust were sown all around.

 

Later, a civil war erupted between Herod's friend Antony and Octavius. When Octavius prevailed, Herod feared execution because of his friendship with Antony. 

 

Herod decided to meet Octavius in Rhodes, Herod decided to ensure no Hasmonean heir could supplant his children. In an eerily repetitive incident, he ordered Sohemus, to guard Mariamne and her mother, and slay them both should he not return. Then he accused the aging Hyrcanus of treachery and had him executed.

 

Mariamne Leaving the Judgment Seat of Herod
John William Waterhouse,
Public Domain via WikiMedia Commons

Despite his concerns, Herod convinced Octavius that friendship would benefit him as it had Antony. Herod returned triumphant, expecting marital bliss. But Mariamne angrily (and accurately) accused him of plotting her death and murdering her brother and grandfather. Salome again charged Mariamne with adultery, this time with hapless Sohemus, who was instantly beheaded. Still in a rage, Herod sent his wife before a privy council, which judged, condemned, and executed her.

 

Almost immediately regretful after Mariamne’s death, Herod fell prey to sickness. He called for his wife with loud sobs and tears. He even had her body embalmed in honey, so he might keep her near him. His doctors feared for his life—and his sanity.

 

Next month: Some good and more of the bad in the Herodian dynasty.

For further reading:

• Project Gutenberg's History of the Jews, Vol. II (of 6), by Heinrich Graetz, Chapters 1-3 

• New Testament History by F. F. Bruce, Chapters 1-5

• Life in Year One by Scott Korb, Chapter 1

Biblical fiction that focuses on this history:

• Jerusalem's Queen and King's Shadow, both by Angela Hunt

RAIN ~ Whispers in the Wind Book 1

Aban yearns to join the priesthood of Ba'al, unlock the power of the rain god, and hear the deity's voice. But first, he must survive a perilous initiation ceremony. 

When the mysterious prophet Elijah interrupts the rites, overturns the idol, and curses the land with drought, Aban must choose a side in Yahweh's war against the Ba'als - and it may cost him his life.

Book 2, working title WHIRLWIND, coming February 2023.

Dana McNeely dreamed of living in a world teeming with adventure, danger, and romance, but she had a problem—she also needed a lot of peace and quiet. She learned to visit that dream world by stepping into a book.

Inspired by the Bible stories of Elijah, Dana wondered about the widow of Zarephath and her son. Who were they? What was their life, before? How did the boy change after he died, saw the other world—and came back?

Those questions led to Dana writing RAIN, in which she built her dream world of adventure, danger, and romance. Peace and quiet, however, have remained elusive.

No stranger to drought, Dana lives in an Arizona oasis with her hubby the constant gardener, two good dogs, an antisocial cat, and migrating butterflies.

Learn more about Dana and her books at her website: DanaMcNeely.com

Newsletter subscribers receive a free book: https://bit.ly/danasnews

 

Festival of Lights and the Eternal Light

In my local Community Bible Study class we have been studying the book of Exodus. As the Israelites traversed the desert God gave them instructions for building the Tabernacle to dwell among His people. One of the items inside the Tabernacle was a lamp:

And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold . . . And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side . . . Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. (From Exodus 25:31-37)

Second night of Hannukah at Jerusalem's
Western Wall by Oren Rozen 2010 [cc]

The lamp was to be kept lit eternally—not ever allowed to go out by the priests in the Tabernacle and later, the Temple. Ultimately it foreshadows the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, who is our constant light. Interestingly enough we were studying the instructions for the Tabernacle the first day of Hannukah.

Hanukkah is most frequently spelled one of two ways: Chanukah or Hanukkah. In Hebrew this means “dedication.” This holiday is actually considered a less important feast in Judaism, but still commemorates a miraculous happening. While the story is not in the Protestant Bible or the canon of the Hebrew Bible, an account is found in the Apocrypha in the books of First and Second Maccabees.

Centuries after that first lampstand was hammered from one piece of gold, the Seleucid king of Syria, Antiochus III, reined in Judea during the second century B.C. He tolerated Jewish culture and religion, but when his son, Antiochus IV Epiphanes took over he was bent on destroying the practice of Judaism in the land and causing the Jewish people to accept Greek culture and the worship of pagan gods. He went as far as not only outlawing the practice of Judaism, but also desecrated their temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar to the Greek god, Zeus, in 168 B.C.

The Triumph of Judas Maccabeus
By Peter Paul Rubens and workshop - Muzéo (pic),
 Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20067479

While some of the Israelites were willing to go along with the conqueror’s idea of assimilation, the sons of the Jewish priest, Mattathias, and his five sons led a rebellion against the Syrians as well as a movement to restore true Judaism. Around 166 B.C., his son, Judah Maccabee, took over as leader of the movement. Within two years they drove out the Syrians and rededicated the Second Temple to the worship of the true God.

They found that only one vial of oil had not been defiled, only enough to keep the golden seven-branched candelabrum lit for one night. Miraculously, the oil kept the lamp lit for eight nights until more sacred oil could be prepared and consecrated.

In the New Testament, it mentions that Jesus attended a Feast of Dedication (John 10:22). Hanukkah is usually celebrated around November or December, begun on the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, as an annual eight-day festival, commemorating the Maccabean victory and miracle of the oil lasting eight days during the rededication of the Temple.

Hanukkiah Hanukkah-Menorah-by-Gil-Dekel-2014.jpg
[cc] from Wikipedia

During the celebration, a nine-branched menorah, called a hanukkiah, is lit each night using the middle candle, or helper candle, called a “shamash.” A special blessing is recited each evening during this ritual. The eight candles are to be at the same level, while the shamash is usually at a higher level.

This beautiful blessing is recited, after lighting the shamash, but before the other candles have been lit:

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe

asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu
Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us

l'had'lik neir shel Chanukah. (Amein)
to light the lights of Chanukkah. (Amen)

There is also a blessing recited only on the first night of Hanukkah and one for the Hanukkah miracle.

Colorful dreidels for sale in a Jerusalem Market, 2009,
by Adiel Io, [cc] Wikimedia Commons

Children often play a game with a dreidel, a four-sided spinning top. While its origin may have been eastern European in its roots, it was adapted to symbolize the holiday. The Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hey, and shin represent “nes gadol haya sham” which means “a great miracle happened there,” oustside of Israel. In Israel, the fourth letter on the dreidel is replaced with peh for "poh," meaning "here."

In keeping with the theme of oil, some of the traditional Jewish foods are fried in oil, such as potato latkes and filled donuts called sufganiyot. In North America, with Hanukkah’s close proximity to Christmas on the calendar, gifts are often exchanged. However, originally the only gift given was money or Hanukkah gelts. This was because the Greeks not only persecuted their religion but also pillaged the Israelites' personal wealth. Children might be given real money or Hanukkah gelt in the form of chocolate coins covered with foil.

Chocolate Hanukkah Gelt made by Elite by Evan-Amos, 2011,
[cc] Wikimedia Commons

Jesus likely commemorated the rededication of the Temple during this happy feast each year with His family. It is only one of the rich traditions of Judaism, passed on from generation to generation. As Christians we can look with appreciation on this, knowing that we have knowledge of the true, miraculous eternal light that Jesus Christ provides for us and remember this as we celebrate His birth:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:1-5)

Kathleen Rouser is the award-winning author of Rumors and Promises, her first novel about the people of fictional Stone Creek, Michigan. She is a longtime member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Kathleen longs to create characters who resonate with readers and realize the need for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. She lives in Michigan with her hero and husband, and the sassy tail-less cat who found a home in their empty nest. Connect with Kathleen on her website at kathleenrouser.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kathleenerouser/, and on Twitter @KathleenRouser

The Church of St. Anne in Jerusalem

Front of the Church of St. Anne.
Photo Credit: Berthold Werner, Wikipedia, public domain

Several months ago someone shared a video on Facebook of RoseAngela singing “How Great Thou Art” in the Church of St. Anne in Jerusalem. Her voice, the acoustics, everything was absolutely mesmerizing. The caption read, “Singing in St. Anne's right by the remains of the Pools of Bethesda which is where Jesus healed the crippled man (!!!!) The acoustics in this church are coveted by churches everywhere but no one has been able to replicate it.”

I made a note of the post, knowing I wanted to do some research on St. Anne’s and watch more videos. So, today is the day, and I've spent several hours listening to the voices from St. Anne's. They are just as mesmerizing as I thought they would be.

First, here's a little virtual tour of St. Anne's as you walk in and how the church looks from the back and the interior. And, as a bonus, you get to hear the choir sing.

If you'd like to see more videos, just go to youtube and search for The Church of St. Anne, and you'll find several. It looks like people can just sing if they want to. Well, *I* wouldn't (ahem), but those with a voice like RoseAngela definitely should! :)

Built between 1131-1138 and located at the start of the Via Dolorosa (the Way of Suffering, and long held to be the path that Jesus walked to his cruxifiction) and near the Lions’ Gate, the Church of St. Anne is a Roman Catholic church in the old city of Jerusalem.

From a description on Wikipedia, “The three-aisled basilica incorporates cross-vaulted ceilings and pillars, clear clean lines and a somewhat unadorned interior. The nave is separated from the lower lateral aisles by arcades of arches. The high altar, designed by the French sculptor Philippe Kaeppelin incorporates many different scenes. On the front of the altar are depicted the Nativity (left), the Descent from the Cross (center) and the Annunciation (right); on the left-hand end is the teaching of Mary by her mother, on the right-hand end her presentation in the Temple. In the south aisle is a flight of steps leading down to the crypt, in a grotto believed by the Crusaders to be Mary's birthplace. An altar dedicated to Mary is located there. The Byzantine basilica was partly stretched over two water basins, collectively known as the Pools of Bethesda, and built upon a series of piers, one of which still stands today in its entirety.”

It is also believed that the church was erected over the location where Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary lived, so Mary, the mother of Jesus was likely born in this spot. Also, the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the cripple man (John 5:1-9) is not far from the spot.

The above descriptions alone are enough to make this church revered and holy ground, but the acoustics take even the normal hush and reverence that is found in churches and sanctuaries and amplifies it (pun intended) a hundredfold. It’s said that the sounds move across the open space and up from the grotto, and that there is a 5-8 second reverberation. Listening to the videos, I believe it.

There were SO many wonderful videos, but here is a short one that I enjoyed, mostly because it was obvious that Kindra didn't have to be listed on some program or have permission to sing. Her friends/family kept encouraging her to. I was floored. Her voice was so beautiful, and I would have loved to hear more. Much, much more!




The videos of people singing in St. Anne’s are awe-inspiring. The church is a destination point (almost a pilgrimage) for soloists and choirs the world over. Even just watching and listening to some of these audio/videos brings tears to my eyes and a reverence to my heart. I can feel and hear the reverence in their voices as they start to sing and realize the power and just awesome glory in that place.

And then I think of the hundreds and thousands of people who raised their voices in songs of praise in that church in the last 878 years. A huge majority of those were before recording devices, wifi, and worldwide social media. They sang their songs, those who were near enough to hear, enjoyed, praised, and worshiped, and then, like a vapor, their voices and the echoes was gone.

But, now, here I am, thousands of miles away, and modern-day technology lets me listen to recordings of people singing in St. Anne’s in Jerusalem.

Wow. Isn’t that amazing?

Back to RoseAngela, the amazing voice that led me on this journey via the worldwide web. I visited her Facebook page again last week and discovered that she and her husband just welcomed a new baby into their family this past July, and that she’s from Georgia. The video of her singing in the Church of St. Anne was recorded in 2012, but somehow resurfaced in 2016 and has over 54,000 likes, 170,000 shares, and 10,000 comments to date. She mentioned somewhere on her page that she didn’t know why the video suddenly took off again, but somebody somewhere needed to be blessed by it now rather than four years ago.

And now, I leave you with RoseAngela singing "How Great Thou Art" in The Church of St. Anne, Jerusalem.

Enjoy and be blessed!

The Messiah's Pool with #Giveaway!

Blogger: Amber Schamel


"Go, wash in the pool of Siloam."



When we read this command in John 9:7, we usually don't stop to think of the significance. But I think there is more to the story of the blind man's healing than meets the eye.



Thanks to John's explanation, we know that Siloam is translated "sent." Because the Messiah is identified as "the Sent One", this pool was also recorded as being call The Messiah's Pool.

Ruins of the Pool of Siloam

The location of the Siloam pool was under debate for many years. According to the accounts left us by Josephus, it would appear that the pool was outside the city walls near where the Tyropoeon Valley terminates. However the Biblical accounts indicate that the pool was close to the temple, inside the walls.



In 2004, the during a construction effort to repair a water pipe to the south of the Temple Mount, near the old City of David, a discovery was made. Two archeologist identified it as two steps. Further excavations revealed a pool hewn out of rock with steps leading down into its depths. The find was soon identified as the true Pool of Siloam.



The Pool is fed by the waters of the Gihon spring, also known as the Virgin Spring, which is the only fresh water in the Jerusalem area. King Hezekiah built a tunnel in the early 7th century B.C. to channel water from the Gihon spring into the city so that the inhabitants could have water without leaving the city walls. The tunnel is more than 1,700 feet long and winds its way beneath the ground. When my family and I went to Jerusalem, we got to hike through the tunnel, and came out at the excavated ruins of the Siloam Pool. Water still flows through the tunnel today.

Hiking through Hezekiah's tunnel

In Jesus time, the pool was located in the Lower City, or the poor quarter of Jerusalem. It was within sight of the Temple Mount. The flowing water from the fresh spring made it suitable for ritual baths, as well as drinking. It is believed that many poor and sick folk came to Siloam to bathe, and that it also may have been used as a Roman-style swimming pool.



During the Feast of Tabernacles, a golden pitcher of water would be drawn from Siloam and carried to the Temple Mount. 

The types that we discovered here are amazing. We have The Messiah's Pool, which is fed by the Virgin Spring and is a source of life, cleansing and healing for the poor and sickly. Perhaps this is why Christ sent the blind man to wash here. Maybe by so doing, the blind man recognized who Jesus was and was able to fall on his knees and proclaim, "Lord, I believe!"


This is one of the reasons that I chose this beautiful and significant pool as the site of Malon's baptism in The Master's Calling, which just released TODAY! 

To celebrate the launch of the last book in the Days of Messiah series, I'm giving away a Kindle Copy to one commenter! Leave your name and email address to get your name in the party hat.