The Pool of Siloam, uncovered
The pool named in John 9 exists, is the right size for a public gathering place, and was in use in the first century.
Confirmed by the groundExcavated site1st century BC–1st century AD
For centuries a small Byzantine pool was shown to pilgrims as the Pool of Siloam. In 2004 a sewer repair cut into monumental steps a short distance away, and excavation revealed the actual Second Temple period pool — a large stepped public reservoir, in use in the first century, at the end of Hezekiah's tunnel.
He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
- Found
- City of David, Jerusalem, 2004 — Exposed during sewer repairs; excavated by Ronny Reich and Eli Shukron
- Now held at
- In place, Jerusalem
How far it goes
The identification of the stepped pool as the Second Temple Siloam is the mainstream position. It confirms the setting of the story, not the healing.
How historians use it
A significant find for the topography of Second Temple Jerusalem, discussed independently of the Gospel narrative.
In Scripture
Connects to
Sources
- Reich & Shukron, "The Siloam Pool in the Wake of Recent Discoveries" (2011)
- Pool of Siloam — overview and bibliography
These summaries are written in English for now. Translations follow.