I.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
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A.
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POOL OF SILOAM.
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vs.7
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1.
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Siloam in Hebrew means, "sent."
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Gen.22:2
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2.
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It was a Pool south of the Temple proper, at the base of Mt. Moriah (upon which the Temple stood -- scene
of Abraham's test with Isaac and David's intercession with the Avenging Angel). It was rectangular in shape:
58' x 18' x 19' deep.
( II Sam.24,
II Chr.3:1)
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3.
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This was the Pool in our previous lesson from which the Priests during the Feast of Tabernacles carried
the water into the Temple for dispersion from the Altar through conduits into the Kidron Valley.
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4.
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It was supplied by a tunnel some 1,200 cubits in length (approx. 1,800 - 2,000'), carved through stone
from the Fountain of the Virgin which lay on the western slope of the Kidron Valley (immediately adjacent
to the eastern wall of the city). This
ancient tunnel
(lost for centuries) was discovered by a truant schoolboy in 1880, with an ancient Hebrew inscription attesting
to its completion (dated by some to King Hezekiah's or Ahaz's reign).
(
II Ki.20:20,
II Chr.32:3-4)
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5.
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This and similar pools fed by underground springs, insured ample water during times of famine and siege.
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6.
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The waters from this spring, which flowed intermittently, were believed to be specially
"sent" (from their eternal source) with healing power.
Much has been said and written concerning this phenomenon that is readily available for the inquiring reader.
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7.
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It was the Power of Jesus and not that of this water that gave this man his sight. This command of Christ
was to serve many purposes.
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B.
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CONTEXTUAL EVENTS.
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vs.1
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1.
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The time is the (first?) Sabbath following the Feast of Tabernacles (October, A.D.29?).
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2.
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It is likely the evening of the morning of His declaration of
8:12
when He announced Himself that He was the Light of the World.
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8:59
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3.
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The Pharisees have failed to comprehend His words of His Light Discourse of Ch.8.
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vs.3
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4.
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With an unimpeachable miracle, He will now demonstrate for them His meaning; but they will flatly deny it!
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vs.8
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5.
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As was His custom, He was most likely enroute back to the Temple for an evening discourse, indicated by
the encounter with the blind beggar, probably lying by the entrance of the Temple (by the Gate called: Beautiful).
(Compare this experience to Peter and John's in
Acts 3:1.
More will be said of this later.)
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vs.14
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6.
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This will be the second Sabbath healing recorded by John, and his 6th of 7 signs (miracles) included in his Gospel
(
5:16).
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vs.16
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7.
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Grace and law are again going to collide
(
5:10).
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3:18
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8.
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Light and darkness will continue to polarize, thus illustrating the judgment (dividing, or the sifting of good & evil) of
vs.39.
Remember: Jesus does not judge men, but in His act of coming, divides them through their own choice of belief or
disbelief. As with the contrast of the Pharisees and the adulterous woman of Ch.8, one either chooses to
accept His offer of forgiveness, or turns and walks away to remain in their own guilt. There is no contradiction here with
8:15.
Jesus' works will continue to divide people, even as they do to this day.
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