This site has a treasure trove of things to see: Roman crushed street, Trumpeter's Stone, Temple Mount Walls, ancient stones, Mikvahs, Pilgrims' Round, the Southern Stairs (also known as the Rabbis' Stairs), the Ophel, and many ancient ruins. Discover fascinating facts about how discipleship took place during Jesus' time. Jerusalem Archaeological Park Photo Gallery Places of Interest Jerusalem Archaeological Park Introduction Welcome to Jerusalem Archaeological Park, also known as Davidson Archaeological site. This site has a treasure trove of amazing things to see. Here are the highlights. Model of ancient Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. Ancient building stones. Roman Street, which was crushed by Roman destruction in 70 AD. Trumpeter's Stone Robinson's Arch Southern Stairs (Rabbis' Stairs) Mikvahs Ophel (space between the City of David and Temple Mount) Ruins dating to the time of Solomon. Huldah Gates Excavations in this area began in 1968 and have yielded breathtaking discoveries. Location The Jerusalem Archaeological Park is located on the southwest corner of the Temple Mount. Historical Background 1. The Southern Stairs were one of the main entrances from the south to the Temple Mount during Christ's time. Two main gate entrances led from these stairs up to the Temple Mount Platform. These gates are commonly known as the Huldah Gates. The gate for entering the Temple Mount Platform was on the right (east side), and the gate for leaving the Temple Mount was on the left (western side). In the Mishna, there is a simple and beautiful regulation regarding how to enter the Huldah gates. "All who enter the Temple Mount shall enter from the eastern side of the gate (right side) and then exit through the western side of the gate (left side), except those who lost a loved one and are in mourning or have a sick person at home or lost a valuable object." All those who entered from the western side gate and exited via the eastern side gate (in the opposite direction) would know that something bad had happened to them and could offer words of comfort. This was a custom that demonstrated sensitivity and care to others. 2. King Herod had the Southern Stairs redone and made them stagger so no one could enter or depart the presence of God (signified by entering or leaving the temple area) without being thoughtful in the process. 3. The stairs were hundreds of feet wide, providing plenty of space for congregating and teaching. 4. They were the main access to the temple from the City of David and the western area of the city, where most of the population lived. 5. Multitudes arrived at the stairs by using the Pilgrim's Road (Herodian St.), which connected the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount. As they ascended this road, they sang the songs of ascent found in Psalms 120-134. 6. The Pool of Siloam was a massive mikveh at the lower part of the City of David that the Jews used for purification purposes before entering the Temple Mount. 7. There were also many purification mikvehs at the base of the Southern Stairs as well (around 48 total). 8. The Southern Stairs were also called “The Rabbis’ Stairs” or the “Teaching Stairs” as rabbis taught their disciples on them. 9. There is no doubt Jesus would have walked on these stairs and taught His disciples here. It’s also likely that the young Apostle Paul sat here under the teaching of Gamaliel as well (Acts 22:3). 10. The stairs were cut out of the mountain's bedrock, and part of them can still be seen today. This staircase consisted of 30 steps. The steps alternate in width, with narrow, wide, narrow, and wide sections. These uneven steps have led some to speculate that the stairs were built to correspond to the rhythm of the fifteen Psalms known as the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). In other words, the fifteen wide steps were built to represent each of these fifteen Psalms of Ascent. Psalm 122:1,2 (one of the Psalms of ascent) says, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord. Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.’” 11. It’s most likely that Pentecost took place just above here in the area of the Royal Stoa, which was located on the southern end of the Temple Mount. It was a huge, covered portico that ran the whole length of the Temple Mount at the southern part. The Hebrew word for "house" refers to a dwelling, such as a temple or a covered structure. It doesn't really refer to a home. Just think that you are in the area where the Pentecost event took place. After Pentecost, the 3,000 who received Christ were baptized in the many mikvehs in this area. 12. The other main entrance to the Temple Mount from the south was Robinson's Arch Stairway. The southern stairs and Robinson's Arch Stairway served pilgrims who accessed the Temple Mount from Pilgrim's Road. This road led from the Pool of Siloam up to the Temple Mount. 13. The City of David lies just to the south of this area. This is where a significant portion of Jerusalem's population resided. Later, Hezekiah expanded Jerusalem to the south and west and built what is known today as Hezekiah's Broad Wall. As a result, this southern part of the Temple Mount was highly used. Places of Interest 1. Model of Archaeological Site at Entrance 2. Different Kinds of Stones Herodian Hasmonean Solomon/Hezekiah 3. Herod's Temple Mount Expansion Section 4. Temple Mount Wall Time Periods Herod Period Umayyad Period Suleiman the Magnificent Period 5. Trumpeter's Cornerstone (House of the Trumpeter). The original top part is in the Israel Museum. This one is an exact replica. The Jewish historian Josephus writes about this in his writings. Three blowings of the trumpet took place: (1) for the farmers to stop their work, (2) for the shopkeepers to close down, and (3) for the Sabbath to officially begin (or other holy feasts). 6. Shops on both sides of the street. Before the 1960 excavations, this street lay buried under approximately 20 meters of debris. 7. Broken Pavement from the stones that fell during the Roman destruction in 70 AD. 8. Burnt layers in the Western Wall from the Roman destruction. 9. Robinson's Arch There was a series of bridges and arches on the west side of the Temple Mount that allowed people access to the Temple platform. One of these arches, located close to the southern end of the Western Wall, is known as Robinson's Arch. The arch was discovered in 1838 AD and named after its discoverer, American researcher Edward Robinson. It was destroyed during the Great Jewish Revolt, only a few decades after its completion. 10. Isaiah Stone Right under Robinson's Arch, we can see the so-called "Isaiah Stone." It has a carved inscription in Hebrew, a partial quote or paraphrase of Isaiah 66:14. The carving reads: "And they will see, and rejoice your heart, and your bones like grass shall flourish." The verse they are quoting goes like this: When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants, and His indignation to His enemies. The inscription, dated to around 300-700 AD, tells us that the Jews of that time venerated the Temple Mount as the location of the temple. It's just another piece of evidence revealing the Temple Mount as the authentic place where the temple once stood. 11. Pilgrim's Road (Herodian St.) led from the Pool of Siloam to the Southern Stairs and Robinson's Arch Stairway area. 12. Mikvehs by the Western Wall Area 13. Umayyad Palace Constructed around 700 AD. Eastern wall of the palace. 14. Huldah Gates The right side (eastern side) was the entrance to the Temple Mount. The left side (western side) was for departing the Temple Mount. Southern Stairs They were also referred to as the Rabbis' Stairs. Jesus undoubtedly would have walked these stairs and taught His disciples on them. They consisted of 30 unevenly spaced steps. These uneven steps have led some to speculate that the stairs were built to correspond to the rhythm of the fifteen Psalms known as the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). Psalm 122:1-2: I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord. Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem ." The fact that the stairs are uneven in width prevented worshippers from running up them, thus maintaining a stately decorum as they entered the Temple. 14. Mikvehs by the Southern Stairs. 15. Royal Stoa - Large public meeting building on the south side of the Temple Mount just above the Southern Stairs. Pentecost Area 16. Crusader Tower 17. Temple Mount 28. City of David Discipleship in the Time Of Jesus 1. Discipleship in the Time of Jesus To understand biblical discipleship in its fullness, we must examine how it functioned during the time of Christ. Ray Vander Laan provides a rich understanding of this area. He notes, “Discipleship was a very common practice in Christ’s day and especially in the Galilee area. The people of Galilee were the most religious Jews in the world in the time of Jesus. This is quite contrary to the common view that the Galileans were simple, uneducated peasants from an isolated area. This perspective is probably due to the comments made in the Bible, which appear to belittle people from this area .” Vander Laan continues, “The Galilean people were actually more educated in the Bible and its application than most Jews were. More famous Jewish teachers come from Galilee than anywhere else in the world. They were known for their great reverence for Scripture and their passionate desire to be faithful to it .” 2. Discipleship Training Began Early in Life Discipleship training, as we know it today, actually began very early in a Jewish child's life. They would enter grade school (called Beth Sefer) at around 4–5 years of age, which was generally held at the local synagogue. The teacher at the synagogue was referred to as a rabbi. At this level, they would mainly be instructed in the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament), learning to read, write, and memorize it. The rest of the Old Testament was referred to as well. Much of the Torah was committed to memory, and it’s likely that by the time this level of education was completed (around age 13), they had memorized a significant portion of it. After grade school, the best students continued to middle school (called Beth Midrash). They would continue to learn and memorize the Torah, but also branch out to learn the rest of the Old Testament, committing much of it to memory. After the Beth Midrash level, those who wanted to continue in discipleship would then seek out a rabbi who would accept them as disciples. They would often leave home to travel with him for extended periods of time. These students were called talmidim (talmids) in Hebrew, which translates to "disciple." 3. Memorization Was a Key Factor in Discipleship Memorization was important during Jesus’ day because most people didn’t have their own copy of the Scriptures; they either had to memorize it or go to the synagogue to consult the local village scroll. As mentioned, by the time a child finished the Beth Midrash level of education, they had memorized most of the Torah and much of the Old Testament. The common memorization technique involved rote, constant repetition, a practice still used to this day. 4. A Disciple Imitated His Rabbi Discipleship in Christ’s day involved a heavy dose of imitation. A talmid (disciple) emulated his rabbi in all facets of life. His goal was to be like his rabbi. Vander Laan adds, “There is much more to a talmid than simply calling one a student. A student wants to know what the teacher knows to complete the class or degree, or even out of respect for the teacher. A talmid wants to be like the teacher, that is, to become what the teacher is.” That meant that students were passionately devoted to their rabbi and took note of everything he did or said. Vander Laan continues, “The rabbi-talmid relationship was a very intense and personal system of education. As the rabbi lived and taught his understanding of the Scripture to his students, they listened, watched, and imitated him to become like him. Eventually, they would become teachers themselves, passing on a lifestyle to their own talmidim.” 5. Discipleship Entailed Learning Much Scripture The very few talmids that reached the status of a rabbi were highly respected and sought after. Those who became rabbis were incredibly knowledgeable in Scripture, and many had memorized much, if not all, of the Old Testament. As mentioned, during Christ’s day, they didn’t have their own personal Bibles like we do today, so they had to memorize it to reference and discuss it. As a result of memorizing so much Scripture, the rabbis were extremely knowledgeable in God’s Word. Those who wanted to learn from a rabbi also committed much, if not all, of the Old Testament to memory. This was a requirement for being a disciple, as their discussions about Scripture didn’t focus mainly on what the Scriptures said, but on what they meant. Rabbis in the time of Christ would be equivalent to theologians today who hold at least one Ph.D. in theology. To reach the status of a rabbi was a great accomplishment. They were the ones who decided on the country's biblical doctrines, practices, and customs. Their words were exceptionally authoritative and valued. Doug Greenwold says, “In the world of Pharisaism, rabbis were the teachers who had been given the authoritative role to interpret God’s Word for the living of a righteous life—defining what behavior would or would not please God.” Rabbis were affiliated with various groups, including the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes, and others. For example, John the Baptist was a rabbi who had his own disciples (Luke 5:33), and the Apostle Paul was a disciple of Gamaliel before eventually becoming a disciple of Christ at his conversion to Christianity. Some rabbis attained notable status and had a significant influence on both religious and governmental affairs. 6. Strict Devotion Was Expected The rabbis expected strict, complete devotion and adherence to their teachings. They expected loyalty and obedience even beyond that given to their families. Greenwold states, “If a rabbi ultimately agreed to a would-be disciple’s request and allowed him to become a disciple, the disciple-to-be agreed to submit totally to the rabbi’s authority in all areas of interpreting the Scriptures for his life. This was a cultural given for all observant Jewish young men—something each truly wanted to do. As a result, each disciple came to a rabbinic relationship with a desire and a willingness to do just that—surrender to the authority of God’s Word as interpreted by his rabbi’s view of Scripture.” Different rabbis held varying views of Scripture, so students would choose their rabbis based on their recognition in the country and their theological positions. Today, it would be similar to choosing a seminary for a student's graduate-level theological training. These rabbis would occasionally take their students on training trips that could last from several days to several weeks. These were intense training times, when all distractions from the busyness of life were set aside and the students focused entirely on their rabbi's teachings. The example of Paul and why he refused to take Mark on a missionary trip. Acts 15:36-40: And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. The rabbis also had favorite teaching places, one of which was on the Southern Steps, which led up to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Tradition holds that even Christ taught His disciples on these steps. 7. Theological Discussions Were a Part of Discipleship It was common for the rabbi and his disciples (a group known as Yeshivas) to wrestle deeply with the Word of God. These yeshivas would engage in intense dialogue and debate over various aspects of life and what Scripture said about them. “It was a standard part of rabbinic teaching methodology.” Greenwold adds, “Studying their rabbi’s view of Scripture and wrestling with the text to comprehend God’s way for the conduct of their life was the main priority of a disciple and the yeshiva experience. Since all disciples had memorized most, if not all, of their Hebrew Scriptures in preparation for their Bar Mitzvahs at age 13, the issue was not what God’s Word said but rather what it meant and how it was to be lived out.” During their periods of intense dialogue and debate, these yeshivas arrived at their theological convictions and doctrinal positions. 8. Tr ansparency and Accountability Were the Norms There was remarkable transparency among these yeshivas, as they spent significant time together during their teaching sessions and discipleship training trips. Doug Greenwold says it well: “Unlike many of our contemporary discipleship programs, there was no curriculum or agenda for this multi-year discipling experience. Rather, it was a continual daily relational living experience where either the rabbi would ask questions of the disciple as he closely observed the disciple’s life, or the disciple would initiate a discussion by raising an issue or asking a question based on some aspect of his daily life .” In this discipleship format, not only was theology passed on, but character, attitudes, and behavior. 9. The Meaning of “Believe” As a disciple learned from their rabbi, they were placing their entire trust and belief in him. This process was called “believing.” Unlike today, the term “believe” has a very different meaning in Hebrew culture. Once again, Greenwold states it well: “The Semitic understanding of ‘believe’ was not based on an intellectual assent to a creed, doctrinal statement, or series of faith propositions. Rather, to a first-century disciple, ‘believe’ is a verb in which you willingly submit to your rabbi’s interpretive authority regarding God’s Word in every area of your life. Thus, to say you were a disciple in the name of Gamaliel meant that you totally surrendered your life to Gamaliel’s way of interpreting Scripture. As a result, you conformed all of your life’s behavior to his interpretations .” In Hebrew culture, the word “believe” meant taking action, applying knowledge to daily life, and changing some attitude or perspective on life, not just mentally knowing something and remaining unchanged. Today, the word “believe” is often used as a noun and tends to imply mere intellectual agreement or mental assent, which is a significantly different meaning from its usage in Christ’s day. Faith Lesson 1. Discipleship Meant Commitment Considering the historical significance of discipleship, we can now gain a deeper understanding of the discipleship process Christ employed with His disciples. He called them to follow Him, be with Him, learn from Him, practice what they learned, surrender completely to Him, and love Him more than their families, friends, and culture. It meant even being willing to die for Him if needed. Therefore, a disciple can be summed up as a disciplined learner or student who chooses to follow Christ, their rabbi, to such a degree that they submit their entire life, will, time, plans, desires, dreams, character, and efforts entirely to Him and His teachings. They are willing to deny themself, take up their cross, and obey all His commands with total abandonment. A biblical disciple is a person who gives complete devotion and loyalty to Christ, above all human relationships and influences. It’s a person who is willing to die for the cause of Christ daily, and once and for all if needed. 2. The discipleship process during Christ's time placed a strong emphasis on knowing God’s Word, relational mentoring, character, discipline, commitment, and devotion. 3. Discipleship in Christ’s Day Versus Discipleship Today How are Christians and the church performing today in terms of biblical discipleship? The contrast between discipleship in Christ’s time and discipleship today is quite staggering. Unlike Christ’s disciples, who knew Scripture exceedingly well and had much of it memorized, 81% of Christians today don’t read their Bibles regularly and are largely biblically illiterate. Unlike Christ’s disciples, who were fishers of men and took the gospel to the ends of the earth, 61% of Christians today haven’t even shared their faith in the last six months. Unlike Christ’s disciples, who prayed extensively, the average Christian today spends only 1–7 minutes a day in prayer. And unlike Christ and the Apostles, who made discipleship a core part of their ministries, 81% of pastors have no regular discipleship program for mentoring their people. It’s clear that the value Christ and the Apostles gave to discipleship is vastly different from the value the average Evangelical church and Christian give it today.

The Mount of Olives played a unique role in the Bible. See all the places and learn about them here. Kidron Valley (Jehoshaphat), Garden of Gethsemane, Mary’s Tomb, Church of Mary Magdalene, Church of Dominus Flevit, Triumphal Entry Path, Bethphage, Triumphal Entry, Tomb of Lazarus, Chapel of the Ascension, Pater Noster Church, Absalom’s Monument, Tomb of the Prophets (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi). Mount of Olives Photo Gallery Places of Interest Mount of Olives Location The Mount of Olives is located just opposite the Temple Mount on the east side of Old City Jerusalem. Historical Background 1. The Mount of Olives has played a significant role in the Bible. 2. It is from where Christ ascended back to heaven. 3. It is where Christ, along with all believers, will return to at Christ’s second coming. Places of Interest 1. Russian Orthodox Church of the Ascension 2. Chapel of the Ascension 3. Pater Noster Church (where Christ taught the Lord’s Prayer) 4. Mount of Olives Overlook 5. Tomb of Lazarus (backside of the Mount of Olives) 6. Bethphage (beginning place of the Triumphal Entry) 7. Triumphal Entry Path 8. Tomb of the Prophets (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) 9. 3,000-year-old cemetery with 150,000 Gravesites 10. Dominus Flevit Church (where Christ wept over Jerusalem) 11. Church of Mary Magdalene 12. Garden of Gethsemane 13. Cave of Gethsemane 14. Mary’s Tomb (mother of Jesus) 15. Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat) 16. Temple Mount 17. Eastern Gate Mount of Olives in the Bible 1. When King David’s son, Absalom, tried to take over the kingship, David ascended the Mount of Olives as he fled Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 15:30: But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. 2. It’s where Jesus regularly stayed when He ministered in Jerusalem. Luke 21:37: And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 3. It’s the believed place where Christ taught His disciples to pray after visiting Mary and Martha’s home in Bethany (Pater Noster Church). Luke 11:1: One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 4. On the backside of the Mount of Olives (at Bethany), Christ raised Lazarus from the dead. John 11:32–36: Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" 5. Jesus descended the Mount of Olives during His Triumphal Entry (Triumphal Entry Path). Luke 19:35–38: And they brought it [colt of a donkey] to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 6. Christ wept over Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives (Church of Dominus Flevit). Luke 19:41–44: And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation. 7. The Garden of Gethsemane, located at the base of the Mount of Olives, is where the suffering of Christ began. Christ’s sweat became like drops of blood. Luke 22:39–44: And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Peter cut off the ear of the High Priest’s guard. Christ was arrested, and the disciples fled. 8. Christ’s return and the destruction of Jerusalem were foretold from the Mount of Olives. Matthew 24:3: As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" 9. On the top of the Mount of Olives is where Christ ascended back to heaven (Chapel of the Ascension). Acts 1:9–11: And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." 10. On top of the Mount of Olives is where Christ will return at the end of the Tribulation Period. Matthew 24:29–31: Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Zechariah 14:4: On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. 11. At the base of the Mount of Olives lies the Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat) where Christ will judge unbelievers at the end of the Tribulation Period. Joel 3:2: I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land. Revelation 14:19–20: So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia [200 miles, or 300 kilometers]. Faith Lesson from the Mount of Olives 1. Christ’s return on the Mount of Olives is where everything culminates and flips. Righteousness becomes dominant and evil bows its knees. 2. We will return with Christ in power and great glory. What hope believers have in Christ. 3. We will reign with Christ for 1,000 years from Jerusalem during Christ’s Millennial Reign. 4. Because of our hope as believers, are we motivated to serve Christ and live for Him?

Yardenit is just a couple hundred yards (meters) west of Hwy. 90, at the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee. It’s a popular spot, and the water is clean and abundant. For those desiring to get baptized here in the Jordan River, the Yardenit gift shop provides white robes and towels for a small fee. Yardenit Baptismal Site Photo Gallery Places of Interest Yardenit Baptismal Site Location There are two main baptismal sites on the Jordan River. Yardenit Baptismal Site 1. The Yardenit Baptismal Site is located on the Jordan River immediately south of the Sea of Galilee, where the Jordan begins flowing out of the lake toward the Dead Sea. It sits beside Kibbutz Kinneret, just south of Tiberias. The Hebrew name Yardenit comes from Yarden, the Hebrew name for the Jordan River, and can be understood as “Little Jordan.” 2. It’s a popular spot, and the water is clean and abundant. 3. For those desiring to get baptized here in the Jordan River, the Yardenit gift shop provides white robes and towels for a small fee. 4. Yardenit has a large gift shop for the purchase of souvenirs and other miscellaneous items as well. 5. Yardenit is also a great place to view the Jordan River. 6. Entrance to the site is free. Jordan River Baptismal Site of Jesus (Qasr al-Yahud) 1. This Baptismal site is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Hwy 90, across from Jericho. 2. It’s also known as Qaser al-Yahud, Kasser al-Yahud, and the Baptismal Site of Jesus. 3. It’s the place where it’s believed Jesus was baptized, and where John the Baptist and the disciples of Jesus baptized many people as well. 4. The water is not as clean as Yardenit, but thousands of pilgrims are baptized there each year because of its spiritual significance. 5. It’s also the believed location where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land. For more about the Baptismal Site of Jesus at Qasr al-Yahud, click here Yardenit Places of Interest 1. Yardenit Baptismal Site 2. Jordan River 3. Parking area 4. Hwy. 90 5. Sea of Galilee Historical Background 1. Why Yardenit Was Established Yardenit is actually a modern baptismal site, not an ancient Christian holy place. It was built in 1981 by Kibbutz Kinneret with the assistance and support of Israel's Ministry of Tourism. Its purpose was to provide Christian pilgrims with a safe, organized, and easily accessible place to be baptized in the Jordan River. The need for a new baptismal site dates back to the Six-Day War of 1967. The traditional baptismal area of Jesus, farther south on the Jordan River, near Jericho, became part of a sensitive military border zone. The western bank site known as Qasr al-Yahud was largely inaccessible to ordinary pilgrims for decades. Because Christian pilgrims continued to arrive in Israel seeking baptism in the Jordan, Yardenit was developed in the Galilee as a safe alternative. 2. Was Jesus Baptized at Yardenit? Yardenit is not generally considered the historical site of Jesus' baptism. The Gospels say that Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan and was baptized by him (Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22). John 1:28 associates John's ministry with “Bethany beyond the Jordan.” Ancient Christian tradition, along with the Bible, places Jesus' baptism much farther south, in the Jordan Valley near Jericho and the Dead Sea. Today, this traditional area is represented by Qasr al-Yahud on the western bank and Al-Maghtas/Bethany Beyond the Jordan on the eastern bank in Jordan. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority likewise identifies Qasr al-Yahud with the traditional location of Jesus' baptism. So when baptisms take place at Yardenit today, the significance is not that Christians believe they are standing on the exact spot where Jesus was baptized. Rather, they are being baptized in the same Jordan River connected with the biblical story of Jesus and John the Baptist. Growth into a Major Christian Pilgrimage Site Since opening in 1981, Yardenit has developed into one of the best-known Christian pilgrimage destinations in the Galilee. The site was deliberately designed to accommodate large numbers of visitors, with landscaped riverbanks, steps and railings descending into the Jordan, changing facilities, and separate areas where different churches and tour groups can conduct baptism services. Yardenit says that more than half a million pilgrims and visitors come each year. One of its distinctive features is the Wall of New Life, which runs along the river toward the baptismal pools. It contains panels displaying the Gospel account of Jesus' baptism in scores of languages and dialects, reflecting the international character of the Christian pilgrims who come here. Biblical Importance of the Jordan River Even though Yardenit itself is modern, the Jordan River has enormous biblical importance. Israel crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land under Joshua (Joshua 3–4); Elijah and Elisha crossed the river shortly before Elijah was taken up to heaven (2 Kings 2:6–14); Naaman washed seven times in the Jordan and was healed of leprosy (2 Kings 5:10–14); and John the Baptist called Israel to repentance and baptized people in the Jordan before baptizing Jesus. The most important New Testament event associated with the river is: Matthew 3:16–17: “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water... and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased .’” Jesus' baptism marked the beginning of His public ministry and revealed a remarkable picture of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together—the Son standing in the water, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father's voice coming from heaven. Baptism in the Bible 1. The concept of baptism is rooted in the Old Testament. As far back as Genesis, eight people were saved from the great flood of God’s judgment. The Apostle Peter indicated that the water of the flood “symbolizes baptism that now saves you” (1 Pet. 3:21). 2. Old Testament prophets such as Isaiah, Ezekiel, and King David likewise used water as an external symbol for internal cleansing (Isa. 1:16: Ezek. 36:25; Ps. 51:2). Isaiah 1:16: Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil. 3. The word baptize, baptized, baptizing, or baptismal is mentioned around 83 times in the New Testament and, therefore, shows the value God places on it. For the full Bible teaching on baptism, please see the Jordan River Baptismal Site of Jesus: Qsar al-Yahud Baptismal Site Faith lesson 1. The importance of baptism is ultimately not the particular stretch of river in which it takes place, but the One with whom baptism identifies us. As Paul writes in Romans 6:4, believers are buried with Christ through baptism so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, “we too might walk in newness of life.” 2. If you have not been baptized, then it is an important step of obedience that should be done at your earliest convenience. 3. Baptism does not save us, but it is commanded by God, as it tells others and ourselves that we have believed in Christ for salvation and are identifying as a child of God. 4. In the same way Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead, we too, through baptism, believe that we have died to sin, have buried our old life in the grave, and are rising to live a new life in Christ.

The parables of the Kingdom were preached by Jesus alongside the Sea of Galilee at the Sower's Cove. Sower’s Cove is located between Capernaum and Tabgha on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It’s a natural cove with outstanding acoustics. When Christ preached the Parables of the Kingdom, He went out of His house in Capernaum and sat by the sea. The natural location of Sower’s Cove makes it an excellent candidate for the place Christ preached the Parables of the Kingdom. Sower's Cove: Parables of the Kingdom Photo Gallery Places of Interest Sower's Cove: Parables of the Kingdom Location 1. Sower’s Cove is located between Capernaum and Tabgha on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 2. It’s a natural cove with outstanding acoustics. 3. When Christ preached the Parables of the Kingdom, He went out of His house in Capernaum and sat by the sea. 3. Some believe Sower’s Cove is the place where Christ preached the Parables of the Kingdom found in Matthew 13. 4. It seems the most likely place Jesus preached the Parables of the Kingdom is closer to Capernaum because the Bible says Jesus went out of a house there (most likely that of Peter) and preached. Matthew 13:1-2: That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea . 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. Historical Background 1. A parable is a story that illustrates a truth by using an example from nature. 2. The parables tell what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. 3. The terms “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Kingdom of God” are the same. Matthew’s gospel uses the term “Kingdom of Heaven” as it was directed to a more Jewish audience. The Jews had such a high reverence for God that they didn’t use His name much. They even took out the syllables in Yahweh to show reverence. The other Gospels mainly use the term “Kingdom of God” in their accounts. 4. Part of the reason Christ spoke in parables was to fulfill prophecies regarding judgment on the Israelites because of their dull and hardened hearts (Isaiah 6:9–10). Matthew 13:13–17: This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” Places of Interest 1. Sower’s Cove 2. Capernaum 3. The northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 4. Mount of Beatitudes 5. Bethsaida 6. Tabgha 7. Sea of Galilee Parable of the Sower in the Bible 1. Jesus went out by the Sea of Galilee and told many parables; one of them was the Parable of the Sower. Matthew 13:1-9: That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose, they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear. 2. Jesus used the natural elements found right in this area as illustrations for this parable. 3. Christ explains the meaning of the Parable of the Sower. Matthew 13:18–23: Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. Summary of the Meaning of the Parable of the Sower 1. The seed is the Word of God. 2. The different soils represent the different kinds of hearts people can have. 3. The one who snatches away the seed is the Devil. 4. The hard soil is a hard heart that hears but refuses to let God’s Word enter. They are unsaved and under Satan’s control. 5. The rocky soil represents those who hear God’s Word but don’t continue when hard times and persecution come. 6. The weedy soil represents people who allow the worries of life and the pursuit of wealth to choke out God’s Word, and they wither up and die. 7. The last soil that produces a harvest represents true believers who persevere in their faith, and in so doing, produce fruit. 8. It seems clear that the first 3 kinds of soils represent unsaved people. 9. Only the last soil that produced fruit represents the truly saved person, as fruit is the example used throughout Scripture to refer to genuinely saved people. Other Parables Christ Taught Close to Capernaum 1. Parable of the Weeds (Tares) 2. Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven 3. Parable of the Hidden Treasure 4. Parable of the Pearl of Great Value 5. Parable of the Net Faith Lesson from Sower’s Cove 1. Part of the reason Christ spoke in parables was to fulfill prophecies regarding judgment on the Israelites because of their dull and unbelieving hearts. Are our hearts dull of hearing? What are we doing to protect our hearts from becoming dull of hearing? 2. What kind of soil (heart) do we possess? Is it hard? Is it stony, shallow, and does it pull away from God when trials and suffering come? Is it full of the cares and distractions of this world? Or is it producing much fruit for God? 3. The good soil produced different amounts of fruit; some yielded a hundred-fold, some sixty-fold, and some thirty-fold. How much fruit are you producing for God?

At the Oaks of Mamre is where God made the most important covenant in the Bible. All of humanity would be saved by grace through faith, regardless of what period or testament in the Bible they lived. Nearby to Hebron, see and learn about this place where it all took place. This site of Mamre, known as Ramet Haram Al-Khalil, which means "The Height of the Sanctuary of the Friend." The evidence that this is the place where Abraham met with God is extremely strong. Oaks of Mamre, Hebron Photo Gallery Places of Interest Oaks of Mamre, Hebron Place of Covenant Introduction Welcome to the Oaks of Mamre. Many significant events from the Bible took place in this area. These are the highlights. 1. It was here that God's covenant with Abraham, which would affect the entire world, would be carried out. The covenant established that all humanity would be saved by grace through faith. 2. In an attempt to fulfill God's promise of having a son, Sarah's handmaiden, Hagar, gave birth to Ismael here. 3. God repeats and affirms His covenant with Abraham here and institutes circumcision as a mark of the covenant. 4. God appeared to Abraham here in the form of three angels and confirmed the promise of a son through Abraham and Sarah. 5. From here, God pronounced the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham because of their extreme wickedness. 6. From here, Abraham went to look down upon the Jordan Valley and witness the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding area. 7. Six different layers of construction have been discovered at this site that we'll be exploring. Location 1. Located within Hebron, Mamre is set in the Judean Mountains about 20 miles (32 km) south of Jerusalem. 2. It stands 3,000 feet (914 m.) above sea level, making it the highest city in Israel. 3. It is located on a well-traveled route that runs north and south through the mountainous part of Israel. Well-known towns such as Beersheba, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Bethel, Shiloh, and Shechem are located along this route. 4. Abraham and the other patriarchs traveled this route repeatedly. Historical Background 1. This site of Mamre, known as Ramet Haram Al-Khalil, which means "The Height of the Sanctuary of the Friend," was first excavated from 1926 to 1928. 2. Six different layers of construction have been discovered at this site: 1. Time of Abraham (2050 BC) Bronze Age pottery during the time of Abraham was discovered at this site, which confirms that it was inhabited during the time of Abraham. 2. Time of the Kingdom of Israel (1000-586 BC) 3. Time of Herod the Great/Early Roman Period (63 BC to 70 AD) 4. Pagan Blood Channel Drain (130-324 AD) 5 . Time of Constantine & the Byzantine Period (324-614 AD) 6. Time of Islamic Period (638 AD and beyond) 3. The evidence that this is the place where Abraham met with God is extremely strong. With this being the case, this site is holy ground because God was here and met face-to-face with Abraham. Places of Interest 1. Layer One ~ 2050 BC Well/Spring Hole in the Bedrock 1 (Oak Tree Location) Hole in the Bedrock 2 (Oak Tree Location) In the rocky terrain of the Middle East, trees will grow up through bedrock if they have sufficient water. This is evidenced by the large holes found at this site. A nearby spring at the site would have provided all the water these great trees would have needed to grow and flourish in the rocky soil. Abraham's Altar 2. Layer Two ~ 1000 BC Kingdom of Israel Structures Just outside the main walls Herod the Great built are two square structures with a passage between them. These are believed to be part of a gate leading into a walled structure around this site that King David constructed. This evidence further supports the view that this site was holy and commemorated. 3. Layer Three ~ 15 BC Roman Wall construction by Herod the Great. 4. Layer Four ~ 130-324 AD Pagan Blood Channel Drain This was used during the early Roman Period to drain blood from the pagan sacrifices made on the original altar Abraham had constructed. 5. Layer Five ~ 324-614 AD Byzantine Basilica Church The apse of the church is visible, pointing east. 6. Layer Six ~ 638 AD Islamic Building Walls Mamre in the Bible (Abraham and the Abrahamic Covenant) 1. God's covenant with Abraham (Abram) begins with a call to leave his country and relatives and go to the land of Israel. The first part of the covenant included the land of Israel (Canaan), and that through Abraham, all the families of the earth would be blessed. Genesis 12:1-4: Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” 4 So Abram went away as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 2. Abraham obeyed God and went to the land of Israel, known at that time as Canaan. Genesis 12:5-9: Abram took his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the people which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; so they came to the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanites were in the land at that time. 3. God confirms His covenant with Abraham that He would give all the land of Israel. Genesis 12:7-8: And the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him. 8 Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 4. From Bethel, Abraham traveled south to the Negev area, then lived in Egypt for a while. Genesis 12:9-10: Then Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev. 10 Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a time, because the famine was severe in the land. 5. When the famine was over, Abraham moved back to the Negev. After Lot and Abraham separated, because of the size of their herds, Abraham settled in the place called "The Oaks of Mamre." This would be where Abraham first established his dwelling place in Israel. The Negev is the southern area of Israel. Genesis 13:1: So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, he and his wife and all that belonged to him, and Lot with him. Genesis 13:18: Then Abram moved his tent and came and lived by the oaks (great trees) of Mamre , which are in Hebron; and there he built an altar to the Lord. 6. It was at the oaks, or great trees of Mamre, that God's covenant with Abraham, which would affect the entire world, would be carried out. It's an amazing, unique event—the most important covenant in the Bible. The covenant established that all humanity would be saved by grace through faith. Genesis 15:1-6: After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Abram also said, “Since You have given me no son, one who has been born in my house is my heir.” 4 Then behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir; but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 5 And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 Then he believed in the Lord; and He credited it to him as righteousness . God reaffirms this truth in the New Testament in Galatians 3:6-11: Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness . 7 Therefore, recognize that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham . 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith , preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. 10 For all who are of works of the Law are under a curse ; for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the Law, to do them.” 11 Now, that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “the righteous one will live by faith .” 7. God ratifies the covenant with Abraham at Mamre. Genesis 15:7-16: And He said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it.” 8 But he said, “Lord God, how may I know that I will possess it?” 9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds. 11 And birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away. 12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. 14 But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. 16 Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the wrongdoing of the Amorite is not yet complete.” 8. Interestingly, instead of both parties walking through the midst of the dead animals, only God walks through them. In ancient times, walking through the animals ratified a covenant, and if any party broke the agreement, they would wind up like the dead animals. Only God walked through the dead animal because the covenant was based on God's faithfulness, not on mankind's efforts. Genesis 15:17-21: Now it came about, when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, a smoking oven and a flaming torch appeared which passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 the land of the Kenite, the Kenizzite, the Kadmonite, 20 the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Girgashite, and the Jebusite.” 9. In an attempt to fulfill God's promise of having a son, Sarah's handmaiden, Hagar, gave birth to Ismael at the Oaks of Mamre. Genesis 16:15-16: So Hagar bore a son to Abram; and Abram named his son, to whom Hagar gave birth, Ishmael. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him. 10. God repeats and affirms His covenant with Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre and institutes circumcision as a mark of the covenant. Genesis 17:1-10: Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be blameless. 2 I will make My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.” 3 Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you will be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall you be named Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations as an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land where you live as a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” 9 God said further to Abraham, “Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised . 11. God appeared to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre in the form of three angels and confirmed the promise of a son from Abraham and Sarah. Genesis 18:1-3: Now the Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre , while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 When he raised his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed down to the ground, 3 and said, “My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by. 12. From Mamre, God pronounced the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham because of their extreme wickedness. Genesis 18:16-21: Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom ; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off. 17 The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 since Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? 19 For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” 20 And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. 21 I will go down now and see whether they have done entirely as the outcry, which has come to Me indicates; and if not, I will know.” 13. From Mamre, Abraham went to look down upon the Jordan Valley and witness the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding area. Genesis 19:27-29: Now Abraham got up early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the Lord; 28 and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah , and toward all the land of the surrounding area; and behold, he saw the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace. 29 So it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the surrounding area, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the destruction, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived. 14. Later, Abraham moved a little farther south and lived in Beersheba. It was here, twenty-five years after the initial promise to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son, Isaac was born. Genesis 21:1-2: Then the Lord took note of Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised. 2 So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham named his son who was born to him, the son whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. Faith Lesson from the Oaks of Mamre & Abraham 1. The Abrahamic Covenant establishes that every person is saved by grace through faith, regardless of whether they lived in the Old Testament period or the New Testament period and beyond. 2. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6). In the Old Testament, faith was expressed by believing in God, and then later, when the Law was given at Mt. Sinai, by believing and obeying the sacrificial system. In the New Testament and beyond, faith is expressed in believing in Christ and obeying Him. 3. What about us? Do we believe in Jesus and have we placed our faith in Him for our salvation? 4. Like Abraham, do we believe in the promises of God and the hope of eternal life in heaven with Him? 5. Do we believe it's worth it to love and follow Christ? 6. Do we believe the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18)? 7. Do we believe that our light and momentary affliction is working in us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Cor. 4:17)? 8. Like Abraham, do we hold on to hope even though things aren't working out the way we think they should and hoped they would?

See powerful evidence about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and witness amazing new discoveries that confirm their existence and location. God chose to destroy these wicked cities, and all throughout the Bible, He speaks of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of judgment to come for those who reject Him. Sodom and Gomorrah are located around the eastern side of the Dead Sea. Gomorrah is located at the base of Masada, and Sodom is about 13 miles (20 km.) south of Gomorrah. Sodom & Gomorrah: Example of Judgment Photo Gallery Places of Interest Sodom & Gomorrah Example of Judgment to Come Introduction 1. Because the Dead Sea basin used to be like the Garden of Eden, it was an extremely desirable climate that was great for agriculture and life in general. It was, therefore, a very populated area. The Bible seems to indicate that the whole lower Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea basin area toward the area of Egypt was like the Garden of Eden. Genesis 13:10: Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere —this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord , like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. 2. The thought of God raining down fire and brimstone upon the cities and people in this area is staggering and can give us chills up and down our spines when we really contemplate what happened here. This fire and brimstone were so hot and intense that they destroyed everything in their path. 3. God also used Sodom and Gomorrah to refer to all of the cities of the Dead Sea basin. 4. There was a total of five large cities, in this basin. Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Zoar. It appears Zoar was the only city spared. However, the Bible indicates it may have been destroyed as well. These cities were reduced to ashes with nothing left after their destruction. 5. Where were these cities located? There has been much debate on this issue. We'll provide some helpful orientation to what the evidence supports. 6. There are five areas around the Dead Sea where sulfur balls can mainly be found. In our tour trips to Israel, we focus on these cities using the site right below Masada. The sulfur balls here are 90-95% pure, unlike other sulfur found in the world which is around 40% pure. They can be lit on fire and burn right before your very eyes. 7. On our tours, we allow people time to search for some sulfur balls in the area below Masada that many believe to be ancient Gomorrah. Location of Sodom, Gomorrah, and the Other Cities 1. Not everyone agrees on the locations of Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other cities. 2. Some believe the cities are located on the northeastern side of the Dead Sea. Others think they are on the southeastern side of the Dead Sea, and still others believe they are on the western side of the Dead Sea. 3. God says that He reduced the cities to ashes, so according to the Bible, we shouldn't expect to find much archaeological evidence. 4. In total, God destroyed at least four of the five large cities around the Dead Sea. 5. Josephus, a historian and writer during the time of Christ, said the ruins could still be seen in his day. 6. We'll look at each of these location theories and provide evidence to see which of them best fits the Bible, archaeology, and history. Northeastern Side of the Dead Sea Location Evidence supporting the five cities on the northeastern side of the Dead Sea. This theory believes the following sites today are the five cities of the plain: Tall el-Hammam (Sodom) Tall Kefrein (Gomorrah) Tall Nimrin (Admah) Tall Bleibel and Tall Mustah together (Zeboim) Serabit el-Mushaggar (Zoar) 1. The northeastern theory depends heavily on Genesis 13. In that story, Abraham and Lot separate. Lot looks east from the area of Bethel and Ai and sees the “plain of the Jordan,” which was well watered. He chooses that area and later moves his tents toward Sodom. 2. The Hebrew word for “plain” is kikkar, which can mean a round, flat area, like a circle or disk. Supporters of the northeastern theory say this perfectly matches the broad plain just northeast of the Dead Sea, where the Jordan River flows and enters the Dead Sea. From Bethel, that northern plain would have been visible, while the southern basin would not. 3. Tall el-Hammam was a very large, important Bronze Age city in the lower Jordan Valley northeast of the Dead Sea. 4. It is described as the largest continuously occupied Bronze Age city in the southern Levant, with a massive upper city, lower city, strong walls, and a major gate. That makes it look like a good candidate for a leading city such as Sodom. 5. The theory also gained attention because of the proposed airburst destruction. A cosmic airburst event occurs when a comet or asteroid explodes in the Earth's atmosphere, releasing immense energy and causing widespread destruction without leaving a traditional impact crater. Researchers claimed Tall el-Hammam showed a dramatic destruction layer, intense heat, melted materials, and violent trauma, which they argued matched the Bible’s picture of fire from heaven. Evidence against the cities on the northeastern side of the Dead Sea. 1. The famous airburst study is a question of debate. Some articles support it while others do not. One article says critics found major problems in the methods and interpretation, and the journal formally withdrew the paper. 2. A second major problem is chronology. The destruction of Tall el-Hammam is dated to about 1650 BC. However, traditional biblical chronology places Abraham and the destruction of Sodom much earlier, around 2067 BC. That leaves a gap of more than 400 years. 3. A third weakness is biblical geography. Genesis 10:19 and Ezekiel 16:46 point more naturally to a southern location. Ezekiel says Sodom was south of Jerusalem, but Tall el-Hammam is northeast of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 16:46: And your elder sister is Samaria, who lived with her daughters to the north of you; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you, is Sodom with her daughters. The context of this verse is spoken from Jerusalem. 4. As mentioned above, the Hebrew word for “plain” is kikkar, which can mean a round, flat area, like a circle or disk. However, there is another way to read the passage. The word kikkar may not refer only to that one northern area. In the Bible, it can be used more broadly for parts of the Jordan Rift Valley. Also, Genesis says Lot first traveled east into the plain but later moved his tents “as far as Sodom.” That suggests movement over time. So, Lot may first have entered the northern plain and later moved farther south. 5. Another problem is the location of Zoar. Tel es-Safi, at the southeastern end of the Dead Sea, shows long occupation across many periods and fits the biblical idea that Zoar survived when the other cities were destroyed. That makes it one of the strongest archaeological anchors for the southern theory. If Zoar was really at this location, then Sodom and Gomorrah were likely nearby in the south, not up north at Tall el-Hammam. Lot could not likely have fled from Tall el-Hammam to es-Safi (a distance of 60 miles or 90 km) in the short time described in Genesis 19. 6. The Bible seems to indicate that the whole lower Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea basin area toward the area of Egypt was like the Garden of Eden. Genesis 13:10: Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere —this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord , like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar . It seems that the five cities of the plain were spread out over this whole area. The northeastern location theory has the five cities very close together. 7. The Bible says the cities that were destroyed were reduced to ashes. Therefore, we shouldn't expect to find ruins there. The cities proposed in this view as being destroyed, have ruins there. Summary The Tall el-Hammam view is supported mainly by the site’s great size, importance, and possible fit with the Jordan plain in Genesis 13. But it is weakened by the retraction of the airburst study, the dating problem, the biblical geography problem, and the stronger southern case for Zoar. The overall conclusion is that Tall el-Hammam is impressive, but it has some strong evidence against it. Southeastern Side of the Dead Sea Location Evidence supporting the five cities on the southeastern side of the Dead Sea. This theory believes the following sites today are the five cities of the plain: Bab edh-Dhra (Sodom) Numeira (Gomorrah) Es-Safi (Zoar) Feifa (Admah) Khanazir (Zeboim) 1. The theory has strong support from Bible geography, geology, and historical memory. 2. In Genesis 10:19, the border of Canaan is described in a way that seems to move south toward Gerar and Gaza and then east toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim. This fits naturally with a southern location. 3. Another important clue comes from Ezekiel 16:46, where in the context of the verse, Samaria is to the north and Sodom is to the south of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 16:46: And your elder sister is Samaria, who lived with her daughters to the north of you; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you, is Sodom with her daughters. The context of this verse is spoken from Jerusalem. Since Samaria really is north of Jerusalem, the mention of Sodom to the south seems to support a southern Dead Sea setting as well. 4. The Bible’s references in Genesis 10, Genesis 14, Ezekiel 16, and Genesis 19 fit the southeastern Dead Sea fairly well, especially the ideas of the Valley of Siddim, bitumen pits, and Zoar nearby. 5. Ancient writers like Josephus and Eusebius, along with the Madaba Map, also place Zoar and the Sodom tradition in the south. The site of es-Safi is especially important because it likely preserves ancient Zoar and shows long-term occupation. 6. Archaeologically, Bab edh-Dhra (Sodom) and Numeira (Gomorrah) support the southeastern location theory because they were real towns, had evidence of destruction by fire, and sat in a fertile area that matches the Bible’s picture of a well-watered plain. 7. Es-Safi (Zoar) is especially important. It shows long occupation across many periods and fits the biblical idea that Zoar survived when the other cities were destroyed. Deuteronomy 34:3, and Isaiah 15:5, seem to indicate Zoar's existence long after the other cities were destroyed. That makes it one of the strongest archaeological anchors for the southeastern theory. 8. There have been found some sulfur balls around the four cities that were destroyed. This matches the biblical narrative. 9. There has been found an ash layer in all the cities except Zoar. Evidence against the five cities on the southeastern side of the Dead Sea. 1. Feifa (Admah) and Khanazir (Zeboim) seem to have been cemeteries, not cities. 2. According to some research, Bab edh-Dhra (Sodom) and Numeira (Gomorrah) were likely destroyed about 250 years apart, not in one single event. 3. The Bible presents Sodom and Gomorrah as destroyed together in one event. But, according to some research, Bab edh-Dhra (Sodom) was destroyed around 2350 BC, while Numeira (Gomorrah) was destroyed around 2600 BC, about 250 years earlier. If those dates are correct, the two sites do not fit the biblical picture of simultaneous destruction. It also reveals that they were destroyed between 300-600 years before the time of Abraham. 4. The claim that the Ebla tablets mentioned the five cities is no longer accepted. The Ebla tablets are a collection of approximately 1,800 complete clay tablets and 4,700 fragments discovered in the palace archives of the ancient city of Ebla, Syria, during excavations in 1974–75. 5. The Bible says the cities that were destroyed were reduced to ashes. Therefore, we shouldn't expect to find ruins there. The four cities that are proposed in this view as being destroyed, have ruins there. 6. The Bible seems to indicate that the whole lower Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea basin area toward the area of Egypt was like the Garden of Eden. Genesis 13:10: Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere —this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord , like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar . It seems that the five cities of the plain were spread out over this whole area. The southeastern location theory has the five cities very close together. Summary The southeastern location theory has strong evidence supporting it but has evidence against it as well. Western Side of the Dead Sea Locations Evidence supporting the five cities on the western side of the Dead Sea. This theory believes the following sites today are the five cities of the plain: Zeboim - Just above the Dead Sea, about 10 miles. Admah - Northwest tip of the Dead Sea. Gomorrah - Below Masada to the east. Sodom - South of Masada, about 15 miles (25 km). Zoar - South of Masada, about 25 miles (40 km). Note: Some believe God also destroyed Zoar because, after Lot fled there to escape the coming judgment, he later left it. The fact that Lot's two daughters said there was no one in the land for them to marry after the cities were destroyed seems to confirm Zoar's destruction as well. Also, Genesis 19:29 says God destroyed all the cities in which Lot dwelt. This would indicate God destroyed Zoar as well. 1. In Genesis 10:19, the border of Canaan is described in a way that moves south toward Gerar and Gaza and then east toward Sodom, Gomorrah, and then north toward the Jordan River toward Admah, and Zeboim. The text is describing the boundaries of Canaan, which fits perfectly with the locations of Admah and Zeboim on the northern part of the Dead Sea. So, this verse strongly supports the western location theory well. 2. In 1 Samuel 13:16-18, when King Saul is preparing for a battle with the Philistines, the location of Zeboim is given as being north of the Dead Sea. This is powerful evidence for the support for the Western Side location of the five cities. 1 Samuel 13:16-18: And Saul and Jonathan his son and the people who were present with them stayed in Geba of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. 17 And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual; 18 another company turned toward Beth-horon; and another company turned toward the border that looks down on the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. 3. There are a lot of brimstone (old name for sulfur) balls in these cities located on the western side of the Dead Sea. 4. This sulfur is unique and different from all other sulfur found in the world. It is around 90-95% pure. It is white, unlike any other place in the world. It is so pure you can light it on fire, and it burns a hot, blue flame. 5. The sulfur balls are not found outside of the proposed cities that all share common characteristics. 6. The five cities are all whitish in nature and different from the regular land. 7. There is a lot of ash in these areas that fits the biblical narrative. It says in 2 Peter 2:6: And if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes , having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter. 8. The material of these city formations is calcium sulfate, which is what limestone and sulfur become when heated. 9. The primary building material in Israel is limestone, so these cities also fit the scientific evidence. 10. There are many charcoal layers found in the strata of these cities. 11. The amount of ash, charcoal, and calcium sulfate reveals overwhelming evidence of extreme heat in these cities. 12. There is also no geothermal activity in these areas to explain the ash, charcoal, and calcium sulfate. 13. Many unexplained shapes in these areas look like buildings, sphinxes, pyramids, and palaces. 14. These cities existed around 4,000 years ago, so their remains would be difficult to distinguish. 15. Some say there is no archaeological evidence, such as stones, buildings, and so forth, of the cities on the western side of the Dead Sea. However, we shouldn't expect to find any ruins of the cities, as the Bible says God reduced them to ashes. 16. Sodom, Gomorrah, and Zoar fit the location as described in the Bible. Genesis 13:10: Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar [Zoar has been identified as being south of Sodom and Gomorrah]. It appears the five cities were spread out over a large area. The western side theory fits well in that the five cities are spread out over a large area as the Bible seems to indicate. The other two theories have the five cities close together. 17. As noted above, some believe God also destroyed Zoar because after Lot fled there to escape the coming judgment, he later left it. The fact that Lot's two daughters said there was no one in the land for them to marry after the cities were destroyed seems to confirm Zoar's destruction as well. Also, Genesis 19:29 says God destroyed all the cities in which Lot dwelt. This would indicate God destroyed Zoar as well. Many believe Zoar is located on the western side of the Dead Sea about 25 miles (40 km) south of Gomorrah, which is located just below Masada. Today, this believed location of Zoar is destroyed and shares the same characteristics as the other four destroyed cities. If this is true, then this supports the location of the cities on the western side of the Dead Sea. 18. Abraham was near Hebron when he saw the cities on fire. Hebron is on the western side of the Dead Sea; the same side the western theory places the cities. Therefore, it would have been easier for Abraham to look down and see the cities being destroyed if they were closer to Hebron. 19. Ancient writers like Josephus and Eusebius, along with the Madaba Map, also place Zoar and the Sodom tradition in the south. 20. While there are not actual stones and excavated ruins on the western side locations, there is substantial scientific and physical evidence such as: ash, charcoal, calcium sulfate, and an abundance of sulfur balls, supporting the western location theory. In fact, when people want to find sulfur balls, they always go to the sites on the western side of the Dead Sea. The other proposed site theories have very few, if any sulfur balls. Evidence against the five cities on the western side of the Dead Sea. 1. Lack of excavated stones and ruins. 2. Location of Zoar at es-Safi. Summary After careful investigation of the Scriptures, and taking archaeology, and history into consideration, the western location theory of the five cities is the position HolyLandSite.com ministries leans toward. Places of Interest 1. Dead Sea 2. Masada 3. Jordan River 4. Jerusalem 5. Gaza 6. Hebron 7. Oaks of Mamre Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible 1. God told Abraham through two angels about His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 18:20–21: And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. 21 I will go down now and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” 2. During a dialogue between Abraham and God, Abraham pleaded with God to spare the cities on account of the righteous ones living in them (Gen. 18:22–31). 3. God told Abraham that He would spare the cities if only 10 righteous people could be found in them. Genesis 18:32-33: And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” 33 As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham, the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his place. 4. In the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah lived hundreds of thousands of people. The fact that there were not even 10 righteous people speaks of the extreme wickedness of these cities. Genesis 13:13: Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord. 5. The wickedness of Sodom revealed. Genesis 19:1–11: Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom . When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” They said however, “No, but we shall spend the night in the square.” 3 Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. 4 Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom , surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; 5 and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them .” 6 But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, 7 and said, “Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. 8 Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof.” 9 But they said, “Stand aside.” Furthermore, they said, “This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them.” So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door. 10 But the men [two angels] reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11 They struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway. 6. God warns Lot and his family to flee for their lives. Genesis 19:12–17: Then the two men said to Lot, “Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; 13 for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” 14 Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, “Up, get out of this place, for the Lord will destroy the city.” But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting. 15 When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” 16 But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city. 17 When they had brought them outside, one [angel] said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.” 7. God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 19:23–29: The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar [located south of Sodom and Gomorrah]. 24 Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, 25 and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. 27 Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the Lord; 28 and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley , and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace. 29 Thus, it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley , that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived. God used Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of judgment upon the ungodly throughout the Bible. 1. Moses used Sodom and Gomorrah as warnings for the future generations of the Israelites. Deuteronomy 29:23: All its land is brimstone and salt, a burning waste, unsown and unproductive, and no grass grows in it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim , which the Lord overthrew in His anger and in His wrath. God states explicitly that He destroyed two other cities besides Sodom and Gomorrah (Adman and Zeboiim). However, it appears He also destroyed Zoar because after Lot had fled to Zoar, he soon left it. Later, his two daughters said there was no one in the land for them to marry. 2. The prophets continually used Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of God’s wrath on the ungodly. Jeremiah 49:18: Like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah with its neighbors,” says the Lord, “no one will live there, nor will a son of man reside in it.” Lamentations 4:6: For the iniquity of the daughter of my people Is greater than the sin of Sodom , which was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands were turned toward her. 3. Jesus used Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of God’s judgment on the ungodly. Luke 17:28–30: It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 4. The Apostles used Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of God’s coming judgment on the ungodly. 2 Peter 2:4–10: For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Jude 1:5–7: Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities , which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Repeatedly, throughout the accounts of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the sin of homosexuality is highlighted as the main wickedness for which God destroyed them. Some who defend homosexuality claim that God destroyed them because of their lack of hospitality. 5. God uses the same imagery of fire and brimstone in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as for what hell will be like. Revelation 20:10: And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone , where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Faith Lesson from Sodom and Gomorrah 1. The lesson from Sodom and Gomorrah is a profound, sobering message we should allow to sink in deeply. 2. The primary sin for which God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was homosexuality. However, they sinned in many other ways as well. 3. Sodom and Gomorrah are a foreshadowing of what hell will be like. 4. Jesus talked about how His second coming would be like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus also spoke more about hell than heaven. 5. If God, the prophets, Christ, and the apostles used Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of the eternal judgment in hell that awaits the ungodly, then we should do the same today as well. 6. God is a God of love and has done everything He can to save us, but for those who reject His offer of salvation, eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire awaits them (Rev. 20:10).

This video series is unprecedented and unique in that as the Gospels of Jesus are being read, you will see the exact locations where the events in the Bible took place. This means that as the Bible is being read you will be able to see the exact places where it is taking place. Also, at the end of each chapter of the Gospels, a faith lesson will explain the big ideas of the chapter and apply them to your life. Great for Home Bible Studies, Sunday School Classes, Personal Bible Study, and more. Life & Ministry of Jesus Series This video series is unprecedented and unique. As the Gospels of Jesus are being read, you will see the exact locations where the events in the Bible took place. This means that as the Bible is being read you will be able to see the exact places where it is taking place. Also, at the end of each chapter of the Gospels, a faith lesson will explain the big ideas of the chapter and apply them to your life. Great for Home Bible Studies, Sunday School Classes, Personal Bible Study, and more. Life & Ministry of Jesus Series Intro Video Life & Ministry of Jesus Series ~ Gospel of Mark Videos are being added regularly to this project. Please check back soon for the latest uploads. Also, please consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel to receive notifications regarding the most recent uploads. Check Out Our Holy Land Site YouTube Channel

See the place where Peter denied Christ three times, where Christ was condemned, where He spent the night in a cold dungeon, along with everything else that took place there. The House of Caiaphas, also known as the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu (cock's crow in Latin), is located on the eastern slope of Mount Zion, just outside the Old City of Jerusalem. Upper Room, Mount Zion, Kidron Valley, Garden of Gethsemane House of Caiaphas ~ St. Peter In Gallicantu Photo Gallery Places of Interest House of Caiaphas ~ St. Peter In Gallicantu Church Introduction This church, known as the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu (cock's crow in Latin), marks the place of the House of Caiaphas. 1. It's here that Jesus would be tried before Caiaphas, the High Priest. 2. It's here that Jesus would spend the night before His crucifixion in a cold, dark dungeon. 3. It's also here that Peter would deny Christ three times. 4. The church here has four layers of archaeology that affirm it as the authentic site 5. The church consists of four levels: (1) the upper church, (2) the middle church, (3) the guardroom, and (4) the dungeon. 6. Here are the highlights of the things we'll see here: All the levels of the church. Prison cell where Jesus was likely beaten. The dungeon where Jesus spent the night before being crucified. Ancient ruins. The area where Peter denied Jesus. The path Jesus would have walked, going to Gethsemane from the Upper Room and returning under arrest from Gethsemane to here. A model of Jerusalem from around 600 AD. 7. Let's explore and experience this site. Location 1. The House of Caiaphas, also known as the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu (cock's crow in Latin), is located on the eastern slope of Mount Zion, just outside the Old City of Jerusalem. 2. It can be accessed by Malki Tsedek Street 3. It is administered by the Roman Catholic Church. Historical Background 1. The church consists of four levels: (1) the upper church, (2) the middle church, (3) the guardroom, and (4) the dungeon. 2. According to tradition, the church is believed to be the site of the House of Caiaphas. 3. A Byzantine church was built on this site in 457 AD. 4. It was later destroyed by Muslims in 1009 AD. 5. It was rebuilt by the Crusaders in 1102 AD and given its present name. 6. It was destroyed in 1219 AD by the Turks. 7. Later, a chapel was built in 1300 AD. 8. The church fell into ruins again by 1320 AD. 9. The church that exists today was rebuilt in 1931. Places of Interest 1. Upper viewing area. Akeldama Monastery ~ The site known as the Field of Blood. The religious leaders purchased this property with the money Judas threw at their feet just before he went and hanged himself. Hinnom Valley ~ Place of idol worship in the Old Testament and Gehenna in the New Testament. 2. On the roof of the church is a rooster on a black cross, a symbol of Peter’s denial of Christ before the cock crowed. 3. The main sanctuary, located on the first floor, contains large multi-colored mosaics portraying figures from the New Testament. 4. On the second floor is a chapel that utilizes stone from ancient grottos as its walls. It also features mosaics from a 5th-century AD Byzantine church that once stood at this site. 5. Above the dungeon is the Guard Room. It overlooks the dungeon. It has rings in the walls where prisoners would be tied up and beaten. This is likely where Jesus was beaten before being thrown in the dungeon below it. 6. On the lower floor is a dungeon where it’s believed Christ was placed the night after He was tried and condemned by Caiaphas. Some believe that the dungeon was a cistern. However, it lacks plaster on the walls, which was typically used to line cisterns and prevent water from leaking through the stone walls. 7. Ruins and excavations outside the church at ground level. 8. A stairway beside the church that was used for ascending and descending from Mount Zion to the Kidron Valley. Jesus and His disciples most likely used them as they traveled from the Upper Room, where they had celebrated the Passover meal, to the Garden of Gethsemane. Later, Christ would use these same steps as He was brought from Gethsemane, which led through the Kidron Valley, to the House of Caiaphas. 9. In the Courtyard of the church is a statue that recalls the events of Peter’s denial of Jesus. It shows Peter, the rooster that crowed, a maid, a servant, and a Roman soldier. 10. Model of Jerusalem ~ 600 AD. Church of the Holy Sepulchre Cardo Maxmimus Cardo Minor Nea Church ~ The New Church of the Theotokos, or New Church of the Mother of God, was a Byzantine church erected in Jerusalem by Emperor Justinian I in 565 AD. Temple Mount 11. Upper Room 12. Mount Zion 13. Kidron Valley 14. Gethsemane House of Caiaphas in the Bible 1. Christ foretells that Peter will deny Him three times. Mark 14:27–31: And Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." 29 Peter said to him, "Even though they all fall away, I will not." 30 And Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times ." 31 But he said emphatically, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." And they all said the same. 2. Jesus appeared before Caiaphas, the High Priest, just after being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:57–68: Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'" 62 And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death." 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?" Luke 22:63–65: Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. 64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" 65 And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him. 3. Peter denies Christ. Matthew 26:69–75: Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." 70 But he denied it before them all , saying, "I do not know what you mean." 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 And again he denied it with an oath : "I do not know the man." 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you." 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man ." And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times ." And he went out and wept bitterly. 4. It’s believed Jesus spent the night in a dungeon at the House of Caiaphas before being taken to Pilate the next morning. Matthew 27:1–2: When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. Faith Lesson from the House of Caiaphas 1. Peter had walked with Christ for 3 ½ years. He had heard numerous times that Christ would die and rise again. 2. Just hours before Peter denied Christ, he said he would suffer and die with Christ if need be. But when reality set in, he abandoned Christ and denied Him three times. 3. He later wept bitterly and thought his relationship with Christ and ministry was finished. However, Christ restored Peter to fellowship and ministry at the Sea of Galilee. 4. How can we deny Christ in our own lives? Do we deny His word, the truths in His word, or the clarity of the gospel in any way? Do we deny we know Him by remaining silent when Christ or the Bible are attacked, slandered, or diminished? Do we deny Him by not sharing the gospel with others? Do we deny Christ by not spending time with Him in prayer, daily devotions, and Bible reading? Do we deny Christ when it costs us to be identified with Him or persecuted for our faith in Him?

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The Upper Room is in a second-story building in Jerusalem that commemorates where Jesus shared the Passover (Last Supper) with His disciples. This building became a synagogue church in the first century by early Christians. On the first floor of the building is King David’s Tomb. The location of David's Tomb is just a memorial place as Scripture says David was buried in the City of David (1 Kings 2:10). Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples in the Upper Room. The Upper Room Photo Gallery Places of Interest The Upper Room Introduction Welcome to this biblical site of the Upper Room. We are located just outside the Old City of Jerusalem, in what's today known as Mount Zion. 1. What is really fascinating about this place is that it undoubtedly marks the place of the Upper Room. 2. At the base of this building are ancient stones from the first Judeo/Christian Synagogue that was built here shortly after the time of Jesus. 3. At the front of it is a Torah Niche that faces Golgotha, where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located today. 4. The first floor of this building presently functions as a synagogue, and the tomb of David is there. However, it appears to be an empty casket, as Scripture says David was buried in the City of David. 5. The upper floor of this building is where the Upper Room was located. 6. This site has six layers of archaeology that reveal it's the authentic location of the Upper Room. We'll talk about them shortly. 7. It was here that Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples. 8. After Christ ascended back to heaven, the disciples went to the Upper Room, which was most likely their living quarters, while they stayed in Jerusalem. 9. The Upper Room is the likely place Christ appeared to His disciples after His resurrection. 10. It’s possible that the Upper Room is where Matthias was chosen to replace Judas. 11. Some believe it’s also where Pentecost happened or began. We'll talk about this in a bit. 12. Let's explore this site and experience the monumental events that happened here. Location 1. The Upper Room is in a second-story building in Jerusalem that commemorates where Jesus shared the Passover (Last Supper) with His disciples. 2. It is located directly above the Tomb of David and near the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion. 3. It is also called the Cenacle Room, which means “dining room” in Latin. 4. On the first floor of the building is King David’s Tomb. It functions as a synagogue, so men must wear a head covering. It is divided into three sections: (1) a small synagogue room, (2) a men’s viewing area of David’s tomb, and (3) a women’s viewing area of the tomb. 5. The location of David's Tomb is just a memorial place, as Scripture says David was buried in the City of David (1 Kings 2:10). Six Layers of Archaeological Evidence This building became a synagogue-church in the first century, used by early Christians. There is archaeological evidence of six construction layers in this building today. 1. Upper Room ~ 30 AD Early Roman floor discoveries. 2. Judeo-Christian Church Layer ~ 80-132 AD A Torah Ark niche with large stones. Writings on the plastered walls of this church, analyzed, reveal the following information about the site: "Conquer, O Savior, Mercy" and "Oh Jesus, that I may live." Eusebius (260-340 AD) describes a " Large church of Christ in Jerusalem which the Jews constructed." Epiphanius (315-405) writes, "A small church of God marking the Upper Room to which the disciples returned from the Mount of Olives after the Lord had been taken up." 3. Church of the Apostles ~ 200 AD 4. Byzantine Layer with an octagonal church in front of it ~ 382 AD. The Church of St. Pudenziana in Rome has a mural showing this Judeo-Christian Church. 5. Hagia Sion Church ~ 415 AD 6. Crusader Period ~ 1219 AD. The present layer is from the Crusader Period. Whenever you have one thing built on top of another, it provides strong evidence that this was the authentic location of the Upper Room. Historical Background 1. After Christ rose from the dead, this place was venerated and converted into a Jewish-Christian synagogue. Evidence of this can be found in the massive stones in the Torah Ark Niche of the church on the first floor. 2. It was built by the first-century Jewish-Christian community of Jerusalem. Interestingly, unlike all other Jewish synagogues, the Torah Ark Niche points toward Golgotha (the Church of the Holy Sepulchre) rather than toward the Temple . 3. This site of the Upper Room has been the traditional place of the Last Supper since the time of Jesus. 4. In the 5th century AD, the church was referred to as "Zion, Mother of all the Churches.” 5. Then, in the year 1009 AD, this church was destroyed again by an Egyptian Muslim Caliph named Al Hakim. 6. The Crusaders built the Upper Room that pilgrims visit today in the 12th century as part of the Church of St. Mary of Zion. The Gothic columns seen today date back to this era. 7. The buildings around the Upper Room are remains of a Franciscan medieval friary from around 1335. 8. The Upper Room was transformed into a mosque by the Ottomans in 1524, and a prayer niche is embedded on the south wall, directed toward the Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina. 9. The State of Israel Ministry of the Interior currently manages the Upper Room building. 10. It’s very likely that the Upper Room was used for more than the Passover meal. It was also used as a general meeting place for the early disciples. It could also have been the location where Christ appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, where Matthias was appointed as the apostle to replace Judas, and where the disciples stayed while waiting for Pentecost. 11. Some believe it’s also where Pentecost happened or began. However, as we will see below, the best evidence, both biblical and logistical, suggests that the southern part of the Temple Mount Platform is where Pentecost took place. 12. It seems logical that all these events shared the same Upper Room, as the man who allowed Christ to use his large room for the Passover meal was probably a follower of Christ who continued to allow the disciples to use it. Places of Interest 1. The Upper Room First Floor King David’s Tomb ~ This is just a memorial place, as Scripture says David was buried in the City of David (1 Kings 2:10). Modern-day synagogue Torah Ark Niche Large stones in the Torah Ark Niche of the Judeo-Christian Church Large stones from the walls of the Judeo-Christian Church 2. The Upper Room Second Floor Crusader remains. This bronze sculpture of an olive tree was donated to the Upper Room by Pope John Paul II. It symbolizes peace between the three major religions in Jerusalem – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Intertwined on this tree are both grapevines and wheat stalks, symbolizing the wine and the bread that Jesus served to His disciples at the Last Supper. A sculpted group of pelicans on a pillar in the southwest corner of the Upper Room shows three pelicans carved in stone. In this scene, a mother bird with her babies standing on her left and right is picking her heart, eating her flesh, and drinking her blood. This symbolizes Jesus and his sacrifice to his disciples at the Last Supper, as found in Matthew 26:27-28: And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Mihrab ~ In 1524 AD, the Ottoman Empire, a Muslim power, converted this room into a mosque. This is evidenced by the mihrab they built in the southern wall of this room. A mihrab is a prayer niche that always faces Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Muhammad, and it indicates the direction Muslim worshippers should pray. Two stained glass windows on the south wall date back to the Ottoman Muslim period (1524 AD). A plaque on the wall, known as the Basmala. It is written in Arabic, and it says, “In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful.” The Arabic Data Stone ~ This is written in Arabic, and it is a slur against Christians, whom it calls polytheists (because they believe in the Trinity). More than half of this text praises and blesses Suleman the Magnificent, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 until he died in 1566. 3. Viewing Platform Above the Upper Room 4. Church of the Holy Sepulchre 5. Temple Mount Southern Stairs 6. Royal Stoa 7. Mount Zion 8. Temple Mount 9. Zion Gate 10. City of David 11. Garden of Gethsemane 12. Mount of Olives Why Pentecost Most Likely Happened on the Temple Mount Many believe Pentecost occurred in or around the Upper Room. However, the best evidence suggests that it most likely happened on the Temple Mount, near the Royal Stoa. 1. What does the Bible say? Acts 2:1–6: When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house [structure] where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together , and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 2. Scripture says the coming of the Holy Spirit filled a house. It doesn’t say or mention anything about the Upper Room. 3. What does "house" mean in Hebrew? The Hebrew word for "house" in Acts 2:2 is "Har Ha Bait," which means "the mountain of THE HOUSE," or "the dwelling place of God." This meaning would support the idea that Pentecost most likely took place on the Temple Mount. While Acts 2:2 states that the sound of wind filled the whole “house,” Jesus refers to the Temple with the term “house” four times (John 2:16, 17; Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46). In Acts 5:21, Luke refers to a prison as a “house.” Additionally, the Temple is often referred to as a house in the Old Testament. John 2:17: The Zeal for your house will consume me. Matthew 21:12-13: And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” "House" can also refer to just a covered area. The Royal Stoa fits this description. On the southern end of the Temple Mount, just above the Southern Stairs, was the Royal Stoa . It was a massive public meeting place with a large, roofed area. It aligns with what the Bible says about the location of Pentecost. 4. Three thousand were baptized after hearing Peter's message. Acts 2:41: So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. For 3,000 to be saved, a crowd of at least 30,000, up to 150,000 would likely have assembled. The Jewish historian Josephus, along with others, estimates that hundreds of thousands gathered in Jerusalem during the holy feasts. This large multitude could not fit in or around the Upper Room. 5. The Upper Room could only accommodate about 150 people. The massive crowd that gathered, along with the 3,000 baptized, could not have fit in the Upper Room or the surrounding area. Peter addressed "All who dwelt in Jerusalem ." Acts 2:14: But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “ Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem , let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. Peter addressed a multitude of people. Acts 2:6: And at this sound the multitude came together , and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. The Upper Room was in a densely populated residential area of Jerusalem. It had narrow streets and many buildings. A multitude couldn't gather in this area, as the narrow streets and buildings would have made it virtually impossible. Due to the narrow streets and buildings surrounding the Upper Room, Peter could have preached to only a few hundred people at best. 6. There was no reason for a multitude of people to be in the residential area by the Upper Room. The Upper Room is a long way from central Jerusalem. It was not in a public interest area. The Temple Mount was the center of public activity, especially during the holy feasts. 7. There were many Mikvehs (baptismal pools) around the Temple Mount. There are approximately 75 mikvehs near the Temple Mount, along with the Pools of Bethesda and the Pool of Siloam, where those who were ritually clean could be baptized. There were no public mikvehs around the Upper Room area. The Upper Room is situated in the southwest corner of Jerusalem, approximately 0.51 miles (0.83 km) from the Temple Mount, a considerable distance away. Most likely too far away for a large crowd to travel for baptisms and similar events. 8. The coming of the Holy Spirit happened at nine in the morning, which was the time of morning prayers at the Temple. The disciples frequently visited the Temple for prayer. Acts 2:15: For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour [9:00 am] of the day . Acts 3:1: Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. Therefore, the apostles and disciples were most likely on the Temple Mount when Pentecost happened. 9. The southern part of the Temple Mount would have been a natural place for Pentecost to occur, as it was the center of public activities in Jerusalem. The Southern Stairs and Robinson's Arch entrance were massive, serving as the main entrances to the Temple Mount. These entrances would naturally serve as gathering places. 10. The Temple Mount and Royal Stoa area could easily have handled the large crowd of 150,000 gathered at Pentecost. At Passover, the Temple Mount was jammed with tens of thousands of pilgrims from 15 countries, speaking multiple languages. The description in Acts chapter two clearly indicates that the miracle of Pentecost was witnessed by people who spoke various languages. This event could have occurred only on the Temple Mount, where pilgrims from around the world had gathered for the feast. Crowds speaking multiple languages would not have gathered around the Upper Room, which was a long distance from the center of activity on the Temple Mount. The Royal Stoa would have provided open access, allowing people in the building to be easily seen and heard from outside the colonnade. The apostles were then immediately accessible to thousands of Jews gathered for the festival in a large public facility. 11. The Temple Mount platform was the only place in Jerusalem during the time of Pentecost that could have accommodated a multitude of 150,000 people. It was the size of 35 professional football fields, big enough to handle over 150,000 people. Therefore, the Temple Mount platform is the best candidate for the site of Pentecost, specifically its southern part by the Royal Stoa. The Upper Room in the Bible 1. Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples in the Upper Room. Luke 22:11–13: And tell the master of the house, “The Teacher says to you, ‘Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 2. After Christ ascended back to heaven, the disciples went to the Upper Room, which was most likely their living quarters, while they stayed in Jerusalem. Acts 1:13–14: And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying , Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 3. The Upper Room is the likely place Christ appeared to His disciples after His resurrection. John 20:19: On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 4. It’s very likely that the Upper Room is where Matthias was chosen to replace Judas. Acts 1:15–16: In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. Acts 1:26: And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias , and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 5. Some believe it’s also where Pentecost happened or began. However, as we have already seen, the best evidence, both biblical and logistical, suggests that the southern part of the Temple Mount Platform is where Pentecost took place. The Upper Room and Passover in the Bible 1. The meaning of the Passover. The Passover was a celebration that the Israelites observed each year in remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt as slaves. The last miracle performed by God was the killing of the firstborn of all people and animals. He gave a command to the Israelites, and to the Egyptians as well, to kill a lamb and put its blood on the doorposts and door lintels of their houses. In so doing, God would pass over that home and save those inside. Christ's crucifixion during the Passover was a fulfillment of this covenant act. In the New Covenant, Christ is our Passover Lamb whose blood saves us from death and sin. 2. The Passover meal began with Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. John 13:1–5: Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 3. Christ taught about true love and servanthood. John 13:12–16: When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 4. Christ instituted the New Covenant at the Passover meal. Matthew 26:26–29: Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” 5. The meaning of the bread. The bread represents Christ’s body, which was broken and crucified for our sins. It speaks of the unleavened bread made for the Israelites' rapid departure from Egypt. It also represents the Israelite’s utter dependence on God for their sustenance during their time in the desert, and beyond. Christ referred to Himself as the Bread of Life and the True Manna from heaven. Christ now becomes our unleavened bread and sustenance. 6. The meaning of the cup. The cup represents the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross for the payment and forgiveness of our sins. The blood being poured out is synonymous with Christ being crucified and shedding His blood. There is also wedding imagery that is used in the taking of the cup. Receiving the cup was used to confirm an Israelite marriage, much as our modern-day ring vows do. When we receive the cup, we are confirming our marriage to Christ. Faith Lesson from the Upper Room 1. Christ gave a humbling example of true servanthood by washing the disciples’ feet. What kind of a servant am I? 2. Christ introduced the New Covenant at the Passover meal. Do I understand the meaning of the bread and the cup? 3. Is Christ my sacrificial Passover Lamb, or am I separated from God and in danger of His judgment?