The Inn of the Good Samaritan
The site is located on the main road between Jerusalem and Jericho. The road is 26 km in length, and links Jerusalem and the hill country with the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. It dates back to the First Temple period, and was generally known as the "Aravah Route," In the Second Temple period, the road gained further importance owing to Jericho, the hub of the main pilgrim routes from the Galilee, the Peraea in Transjordan (present day Jordan), and East Gilead. This road continued to ply Christian pilgrims during the Byzantine and Crusader periods. It connected Jerusalem with numerous monasteries near Jericho and the baptismal site on the banks of the Jordan River.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." He said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live." But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus answered, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came into the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, poruing on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, "Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return." Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?" He said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:25-37)
The parable achieved widespread fame in the Christian world. The Samaritan became a symbol of brotherhood and amity, of succoring the hurt, of compassionate concern for the weak and wretched, and of acts of kindness towards others.
The Archeological Site
Remains from the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE were found throughout the excavation area. A palace dating to Herod's reign included a bathhouse, a mosaic floor, and rooms adorned with frescoes and stucco, and it continued in existence until the destruction of the Second Temple.
Published 12/1/10 lib's labyrinth blogspot
Blog Page: Maze: Samaria
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