The Good Samaritan Museum, also known as the Good Samaritan Inn; is the only mosaic museum in Israel and is one of three in the entire world. Halfway between Jerusalem and Jericho, near the Biblical location of Ma’ale Adumim, the site is thought to be the original location of the inn from the “Parable of the Good Samaritan.” Here, you can witness artifacts from across the Palestinian territories from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip with an impressive wing dedicated solely to the Samaritans‘ history; customs, and archaeology. As you wander the Good Samaritan Museum, you can enjoy the thousands of years of history; culture, and art that embody the beauty and passion of the people who lived long ago.
The “Parable of the Good Samaritan” was told by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. The story goes that there once was a man who had been robbed, stripped of his clothing, beaten, and left for dead alongside the road. A Cohen and a Levite happened across the man but did nothing. Then, a Samaritan, who was considered a lesser person at the time; helped the injured man. He took him to the inn and even paid for his room and board.
Good Samaritan Museum: The “Parable of the Good Samaritan”
This parable demonstrated the ethics that are supposed to embody Christianity, helping one another without prejudice or to get something in return. The “Parable of the Good Samaritan” may not be widely known by non-Christians; but the idiom of a “Good Samaritan” is common in the English language and used by many. To think that its roots date back thousands of years and it is still common today is purely astonishing!
The Good Samaritan Museum has been reconstructed multiple times over the centuries. But it has almost always served as an inn for travelers passing through the area. Today, while you can’t stay at the inn, you can enjoy the wonderful aspects that the museum has to offer. The museum features mosaics and other priceless artifacts from Judea, Samaria, and Gaza.
The mosaics are truly stunning pieces of art. They came to be at the Good Samaritan Museum because they were either moved to protect them from harm or they were reconstructed at the museum. The majority of the museum’s mosaics date back to the Byzantine era between the 4th and 7th centuries CE. At this time, crafting mosaics were common in the area, and artists created masterful designs. There is more to see than just mosaics at the museum, but you will have to come to see for yourself!