BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Museum of the Good Samaritan Opens in Israel

Judean Desert, Israel

Dates: Ongoing

The Museum of the Good Samaritan in Israel has recently opened to the public. Located in the Judean Desert between Jerusalem and Jericho, the museum will display mosaics and artifacts relating to the ancient Christians, Jews and Samaritans who resided in Israel long ago. This new museum is considered to be one of the largest mosaic museums in the world.

The site of the museum is identified with the Biblical Ma’ale Adumim, which was located at the junction between the tribal lands of Benjamin and of Judah (Joshua 15:7; 18:17). In the Byzantine period it was identified with the inn mentioned in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25Ð37). Some inspiration for the items chosen to be displayed in the museum comes from this parable, and accordingly the museum’s displays include items from both Jewish and Samaritan synagogues, as well as from ancient Christian churches.

The museum will have an open-air display that will showcase many mosaics, some of which were brought there as means of preserving and protecting them from damage and destruction.