The Tower of Siloam
Is This the Infamous Tower of Siloam?
Location – Jerusalem
Map Coordinates - 31.771860, 35.235988
Merged Gospels story - 164
According to the Bible, the Tower of Siloam was a tower in the ancient city of David, south of the old city of Jerusalem. At some time before Jesus’ ministry, this tower fell, killing 18 people.
The Biblical Text.
From Luke 13:1–5 we read
And certain ones were present at that time, telling Him (Jesus) about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans became sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I say to you no, but if you do not repent, even all of you will so perish. Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and it killed them, do you think that these became culprits above all men who are dwelling in Jerusalem? I say to you no, but if you do not repent, all of you will perish in like manner.
Jesus mentioned this tragedy when he was told about some Galilean insurgents who were killed by the Romans. Those who told Jesus this may have expected Him to say that their deaths were punishment for their rebellious and belligerent behavior. Yet in mentioning the collapse of the Tower of Siloam, Jesus taught that death can come upon anyone, regardless of how sinful they are. He went on to teach that the need for all people to repent is the true lesson from such tragedies.
The Site Description.
To view the site of the tower, one can see it from two locations – either from the rampart above in the City of David tour, or on the grassy field just below it.
Archaeological excavation has revealed what some believe to be the ruins of the tower, but most likely they are the ruins of a second tower that was rebuilt after the first tower collapsed. The excavated ruins are a circular foundation.