72. Was there any real virtue In the waters of the Pool of Siloam, or was it a superstition?

In the account in John's Gospel, fifth chapter, it is made clear that there was a popular belief that the pool possessed certain healing quali­ties at the time of the "moving" (or inflow) of the waters from the hid­den springs. This may or may not have been based on superstition or on some tradition concerning the pool.

It should be noted, however, that Jesus (in John 5:6-8) said nothing about any wonderful virtue in the wa­ters of the pool; if there was a tradition or superstition on the subject he simply set it aside and cured the infirm sufferer where be lay.

In the case of the blind beggar at the pool of Siloam (John, 9th chapter) there is frequently a misconception in the mind of the reader.

Jesus did not tell the blind man to wash "in" the pool, but, having anointed his eyes with clay and spittle, directed him to wash "at" the pool---to cleanse his eyes of the moistened clay with which, under the divine touch, the miracle of restoring his sight was accomplished.