The Pool of Siloam seems to function as a public Mikveh as mentioned in the video. I toured this area (City of David and Davidson Center) in June 2022 and saw very many mikvehs just south of the Temple Mount (nice graphics in the video shows the Canaanite and Hezekiah’s Tunnel). The Pool of Shiloach seems likely to have been public while all the smaller ones may have been private. Perhaps the bigger question for contemporary Christians is the rationale for the baptism.
I contend this ritual immersion signified a kind of death to self and rising to follow God. The origin and significance of the rite heralds back to the Red Sea and Jordan crossing. In both of these instances the people passed through death to a new life of service and growth (notice how the Egyptians died in the attempt). The Jerusalem Temple, its services and times proclaimed the redemptive acts of the Lord: These are the appointed times of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at the times appointed for them (Lev. 23.4 ASV).
The weekly Sabbath proclaimed a time of earthly rest and blessing which speaks about the Millennial reign of Jesus and into the eternal state of contemplation and service. The Passover Festival commemorated the rescue of the Israelites from a demonic Egypt: For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD (Ex.12.12 NASB).
The Festival of Weeks (Shavuot) commemorated giving of the Word at Sinai which was enhanced by the giving of The Spirit at Pentecost. It is God the Spirit who communicates to us the truth of His word. The Festival of Booths commemorated Israel living in booths (and probably in tents) during the Wilderness Wanderings. Just as He met Israel’s need in the wilderness, so the Lord will replenish fruitfulness on earth by transforming it to resemble the fecundity of Eden.
Therefore, we can say that these rituals Israel performed said something mysteriously redemptive when they were observed. Today, Christians can testify to God’s saving acts through baptism and commemorating the Lord’s Supper similar to how God’s ancient people worshipped.
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