Mary's Tomb, Mother of Jesus

 

Introduction

 

1. The New Testament is silent regarding the death and burial of Mary, but strong Christian tradition places her tomb at this site.

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2. Some Orthodox and Catholic churches teach that Mary died a natural death at her home on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where the Dormition Abbey stands today. She was then laid to rest at her tomb at this site, and after three days, her body was taken up into heaven, and her tomb was found empty. Because there were no cemeteries near the Dormition Abbey at the time of her death, she was buried here.

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3. Protestants believe Mary died a natural death and was buried at her tomb location here.

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4. This building houses the Tomb of Mary. It is the underground crypt of a church that no longer exists. The room is dark, with walls blackened by centuries of smoke, giving it an ancient feel. Icons adorn the space, and numerous hanging oil lamps cast a soft glow over the tomb.

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5. On the way down the steps, there are two chapels. On the left is the Chapel of Joseph (Jesus' earthly father), and on the right is the Chapel of Mary's parents, Hanna and Joachim.

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6. It's a fascinating place with around 2,000 years of history. Let's explore and experience this site.

 

Location

 

The Tomb of Mary, also known as the Church of the Sepulchre of St. Mary, is located just a little north of the Garden of Gethsemane in the Kidron Valley. Right beside the Tomb of Mary Church is the Gethsemane Cave Complex.

 

Historical Background

 

1. The New Testament is silent regarding the death and burial of Mary, but strong Christian tradition places her tomb at this site.

 

2. The church is in an underground rock-cut cave in the shape of a cross. A wide staircase leads down to the church. It is dimly lit and features blackish ceilings, a result of centuries of candle burning. 

 

3. The church began as burial caves that were cut into rock in the 1st century.

 

4. These caves were later expanded in 455 AD into a cross-shaped church with Mary's Tomb in its center. 

 

5. The large crypt containing the empty tomb in the church is all that remains of an early 5th-century AD church.

 

6. In the 6th century AD, an octagon-shaped church was built on the upper level, covering the tomb. However, the Persians destroyed it in 614.

 

7. During the Crusader period (1130), the church was rebuilt and included a Benedictine monastery called the Abbey Church of St. Mary of Jehosaphat. Saladin destroyed virtually everything in 1187 except the south entrance and staircase.

 

8. After the Crusaders left, the site was taken over by the Franciscans. Since then, Greeks, Armenians, Syrians, Copts, Abyssinians, and Muslims have shared it. 

 

9. Muslims also worship here, and on the wall to the right of the Tomb of Mary is a mihrab niche, giving the direction of Mecca. It was installed after Saladin’s conquest in the 12th Century.

 

10. According to Catholic tradition, Mary ascended into heaven. Her tomb at this church is empty, but it serves as a shrine honoring this event. Protestants believe Mary died a natural death and was buried here as a result.  

 

Places of Interest

 

1. Gethsemane Cave Complex 

This is believed to be where Jesus and the disciples often stayed in Jerusalem, and where Jesus was arrested before His crucifixion.

• Eyewitnesses from the fourth and sixth centuries attest to the remains of original artifacts that this was the authentic place where the Gethsemane Press was and where Jesus was arrested the night before being crucified.

 

2. Church of the Sepulchre of St. Mary

• The modern upper level of the church.

• Forty-seven steps lead down to the dimly lit church. 

• Along the way down the steps, two chapels stand. On the left is the Chapel of Joseph (Jesus' earthly father), and on the right is the Chapel of Mary's parents, Hanna (Anna) and Joachim. 

• Mary’s Chapel

• Mary’s Tomb

  • Mary was buried in a bench-type tomb, similar to the one Jesus lay in. Around 455 AD, people carved away the rock around her tomb, leaving a naturally chiseled square building, or what we call an edicule, meaning "little house." This natural-stone edicule still surrounds Mary’s tomb today. Interestingly, this construction was almost identical to how Jesus’ original tomb was built centuries earlier—a tomb made of the natural stone that originally encased it.​

• Copt Altar

 

3. Gethsemane

 

4. Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat)

 

5. Temple Mount

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The Life of Mary in the Bible

 

1. Mary was a godly woman who had the privilege of being the mother of Jesus.
Luke 1:26–31: Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

 

2. Mary treasured the privilege of being Christ’s earthly mother.
Luke 2:19: But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 

 

3. Being the mother of Jesus would come with a high price.
Luke 2:34–35: And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

 

4. Mary was an obedient woman, submitting to God and her husband in all things.
Matthew 2:13: Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”

 

5. Because Christ’s earthly father, Joseph, is not mentioned after Christ was 12 years old, and because Christ entrusted the Apostle John with her care at His death, it appears she became a widow at an early age.
John 19:25–27: But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.

 

6. Mary witnessed the crucifixion of her Son on the Cross.
John 19:25: Therefore, the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

 

7. Mary continued to support the apostles and was part of serving the cause of Jesus after His resurrection.

Acts 1:14: All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

 

Faith Lesson from the Life of Mary

 

1. Mary was a deeply devoted woman to be honored, but nowhere in Scripture is she worshiped, nor are we commanded to worship or pray to her.

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2. The Lord highly favored Mary because of her love and obedience to Him. When we obey and seek the Lord, He favors us as well.

 

3. Our obedience doesn’t earn God’s love, but it does bring blessing and favor.

 

4. We could learn a lot from the life of Mary and should emulate her faith and devotion to God.

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