Christian leader says excavated biblical site where Jesus healed blind man ‘affirms scripture’

For the first time in two millennia, a biblical site said to be the location where Jesus Christ healed a blind man, is expected to be fully excavated and open to the public “affirming Jerusalem’s Biblical heritage…as a matter of fact.”

On the Wednesday before the new year, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), along with the Israel National Parks Authority and the City of David Foundation, announced the Pool of Siloam, located within the Jerusalem Walls National Park in the southern portion of Jerusalem, Israel will soon be uncovered and opened to the public.

In its statement posted to social media, the IAA included an artist rendering of what the Pool of Siloam would have looked like when it was expanded in the Second Temple period, some 700 years after its original construction, where it was believed to have served “as a ‘mikveh,’ a ritual bath, for the thousands of pilgrims who converged at the Pool of Siloam before ascending via the City of David to the Temple.”


In speaking with Fox News Digital, Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel expressed, “The Pool of Siloam’s excavation is highly significant to Christians around the world. It was at this site that Jesus healed the blind man (John:9), and it is at this site that, 2,000 years ago, Jewish pilgrims cleansed themselves prior to entering the Second Temple.”

Hagee continued, “The Pool of Siloam and the Pilgrimage Road, both located within the City of David, are among the most inspiring archeological affirmations of the Bible,” and, “Christians are deeply blessed by the City of David’s work and Israel’s enduring commitment to ensuring religious freedom to all who visit and live in the Holy Land, especially Jerusalem–the undivided capital of Israel.”

Similar sentiments were shared by the City of David Foundation’s director of international affairs Ze’ev Orenstein who told the outlet, “One of the most significant sites affirming Jerusalem’s Biblical heritage–not simply as a matter of faith, but as a matter of fact–with significance to billions around the world, will be made fully accessible for the first time in 2,000 years.”

“Despite ongoing efforts at the United Nations and Palestinian leadership to erase Jerusalem’s heritage, in a few years’ time, the millions of people visiting the City of David annually will literally be able to walk in the footsteps of the Bible, connecting with the roots of their heritage and identity,” Orenstein explained.

According to the IAA, infrastructure work conducted by the Jerusalem Gihon Water Company had exposed steps of the pool, said to have been one and a quarter acres large at its peak, leading to the “systematic excavation under the direction of Prof. Ronny Reich and Eli Shukron.”

Reverend Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders and advisory board member of The Combat Antisemitism Movement spoke of the historical significance to Fox News Digital and said, “This news means that one of the most important archeological discoveries in history can soon be seen by visitors from all over the world. It will affirm all they believe. Having faith is part of worshipping God, but faith alone isn’t required to believe. There are historic facts attesting to the truth of Scripture.”

“In the Pool of Siloam,” Moore detailed, “we find evidence of history preserved for us, revealed at just the right time. This is a truly historic event. Theologically, it affirms Scripture, geographically it affirms history and politically it affirms Israel’s unquestionable and unrivaled link to Jerusalem. Some discoveries are theoretical. This one is undeniable. It is proof of the story of the Bible and of its people, Israel.”

Jerusalem’s Mayor Moshe Lion also offered a statement on the significance of the excavation effort and noted, “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.”

In the months to come, the Pool of Siloam is expected to shift from being an observable archeological excavation to an accessible part of the tourist route that travels from the southern part of the City of David to the Western Wall.

Republished with permission from American Wire News Service

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