Take a tour of the stunning and mystical Dead Sea. See all the places of interest. Learn about its past and future, Bible prophecies, Dead Sea Scrolls, beaches, and more. Sites of interest include Zoar, Admah, Zeboiim, Jericho, Baptismal Site of Jesus (Qsar al-Yahud), Judean Desert, Jordan River, Northern Beaches, Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls), Avnat (Kidron Valley Drainage from Jerusalem), Ein Gedi, Sink Holes, Masada, Southern Beaches, Dead Sea Mineral Factories. Dead Sea Area Photo Gallery Places of Interest Dead Sea Area At the very lowest point on earth, at about 1,410 feet (430 meters) below sea level, lies a natural wonder replete with its own unique ecosystem, breathtaking desert views, and mineral treasures that have attracted visitors for thousands of years. Because of its unique location, healing properties, geological and historical background, surrounding ecosystem, and the epic biblical events that have happened around it, the Dead Sea is an irresistible venue for tourists. Location 1. The Dead Sea is a large salt lake located in the Judean desert of southern Israel. It's about 15 miles (25 km.) east of Jerusalem and is Israel's largest body of water within its borders. It also forms part of the border between Israel and Jordan, with Jordan being on the east side. Historical Background & Info 1. The Dead Sea is one of the world's four saltiest bodies of water. These special conditions are an outcome of its extreme geomorphological structure alongside a harsh desert climate. These create constant dramatic changes that form a landscape different from any other in the world. The unique mineral content of the air, land, and water in the area is globally renowned for its therapeutic qualities. Even since the time of Herod the Great (37-4 BC), it has been a health resort. 2. The Jordan River is the only major water source flowing into the Dead Sea, although there are small perennial springs under and around the lake, forming pools and quicksand pits along its edges. Today, after diversifying the waters from the Sea of Galilee in the 1960s, the only incoming water sources are from sulfur springs and wastewater, along with rare drizzles and flash floods. 3. The water level of the Dead Sea has been receding gradually, at an average yearly rate of about 3 feet (1 meter). This is causing large concern about the Dead Sea drying up. This drop in water level is caused by evaporation under the harsh desert sun, but also because little water is now flowing into the Dead Sea. 4. Why is it called the Dead Sea? For several reasons. Because it has 10 times more salt than other oceans. Because of this, fish and plant life cannot exist. There is absolutely no life whatsoever in the Dead Sea. In various languages, the Dead Sea is referred to by different names, all reflective of its characteristics. The earliest known name is recorded in the Hebrew Bible, referred to as “the Salt Sea," due to its significantly high salt content. It was also called the "Sea of Arabah." It's called in Hebrew "Yam HaMelaẖ" (Salt Sea), and in Arabic "Al-Baḥr Al-Mayyit," ( Sea of Death). Salt was a highly valued commodity in the later Roman era – Roman soldiers were paid in salt rather than money! This is also the source of the Latin word “salary,” which comes from “salt.” In a spiritual sense, some have likened it to being dead because water comes in but doesn't leave. That's what happens to us. If we only receive but don't give, then we will also be spiritually dead. 5. The Dead Sea is globally renowned for the therapeutic effect of the minerals in its waters and mud, which are especially high in concentration. Dead Sea minerals in the water and mud have helped improve many skin conditions, such as psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and acne. 6. Why is the Dead Sea so salty? It appears that after the Great Flood, this body of water was landlocked. Like the other oceans, this water had a certain level of salt. Then, over the years, its salt content was derived from the erosion of rocks on land, with their salt ions driven by rivers into the landlocked lake. Its extremely low elevation means that water cannot escape the Dead Sea once it enters, and exposed to the intense heat, the water evaporates more quickly, leading to an intense salinity. Another reason it is so salty appears to be because God destroyed the area, as found in Genesis 19:23–29. Deuteronomy 29:23 mentions, "All its land is brimstone and salt , burned debris, unsown and unproductive, and no grass grows on it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and in His wrath." 7. Why do you float in the Dead Sea? Because of the high concentration of salt, the water is much denser than plain fresh water, meaning that our body weight is lighter – which causes us to float! It's important not to say in the water for long periods as it can be dangerous. B e careful about getting water in your eyes or open cuts. It's best not to shave too soon before entering the water as this can cause burning and irritation. Lastly, it's best not to dunk your head under the water. 8. The drop in the level of the water after 1960 or so, has changed the physical appearance of the Dead Sea. Most noticeably, the peninsula of Al-Lisan gradually extended eastward until a dry land strip separated the lake’s northern and southern basins. In addition, the southern basin was eventually subdivided into dozens of large evaporation pools (for the extraction of salt), so by the 21st century, it had essentially ceased to be a natural body of water. The northern basin—effectively now the actual Dead Sea—largely retained its overall dimensions despite its great loss of water, mainly because its shoreline plunged downward so steeply from the surrounding landscape. 9. The Dead Sea lies in a desert. Rainfall is scarce and irregular. It averages about 2.5 inches (65 mm) of rain a year. Because of the lake’s extremely low elevation and sheltered location, winter temperatures are mild, averaging around 63 °F (17 °C) in the winter months. Freezing temperatures never occur. Summer is oppressively hot, averaging 93 °F (34 °C) in August, with a recorded maximum of 124 °F (51 °C). Evaporation of the lake’s waters often creates a thick mist above the lake. Places of Interest 1. Sodom Lot’s Wife Mount Sodom 2. Gomorrah Sphinx Pyramid 3. Zoar 4. Admah 5. Zeboiim 6. Jericho 7. Jordan River Crossing Site 8. Baptismal Site of Jesus (Qsar al-Yahud) 9. Judean Desert 10. Jordan River Inlet 11 . Northern Beaches 12. Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls) 13. Avnat (Kidron Valley Drainage from Jerusalem) 14. En Gedi 15. Sink Holes 16. Masada 17. Southern Beaches 18. Dead Sea Mineral Factories The Dead Sea in the Bible There are many mentions of the Dead Sea in the Bible, and it has long been associated with mysticism, wonderment, and religious significance. 1. It appears the area around the Dead Sea was lush and well-watered before God destroyed the area with fire and brimstone. Genesis 13:10: Lot raised his eyes and saw all the vicinity 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 going toward Zoar. 2. It appears that after God destroyed the area, it changed to the state it is today, a dry, barren desert. Deuteronomy 29:23: All its land is brimstone and salt , burned debris, unsown and unproductive, and no grass grows on it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and in His wrath . 3. It is referenced often to describe the borders of Israel. Numbers 34:12: And the border shall go down to the Jordan, and its termination shall be at the Salt Sea . This shall be your land according to its borders on all sides. 4. It was a densely populated area during the time of Abraham before God destroyed the area. Genesis 14:1-3: And it came about in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 All these kings came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 5. Sodom and Gomorrah, along with the other cities of the valley, were wicked, sinful people. 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.” 6. God destroyed 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. 7. The slopes of Mount Sodom are located in the southeast corner of the Dead Sea, and they feature salt formations that look like pillars – which are traditionally referred to as Lot’s wife. 8. At the end of the Tribulation Period, when God judges the nations in the Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat), the blood will flow from Jerusalem down to the Dead Sea, and south. The drainage system from the Kidron Valley empties into the Dead Sea at Avnat. Revelation 14:20: And the wine press was trampled outside the city [Jerusalem], and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of 1,600 stadia [185 miles, 300 km.]. The Kidron Stream is about 30 miles, 50 km., from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. This blood river will then flow south from Avnat for a distance of 150 miles, 241 km., to the Red Sea. 9. During the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth after the Great Tribulation Period, a supernatural river will flow from Jerusalem, using the same Kidron Valley drainage system, and will change the Dead Sea area entirely. Ezekiel 47:7-11: Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8 Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea [Dead Sea], being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh . 9 And it will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh ; so everything will live where the river goes. 10 And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. 12 And by the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” Zechariah 14:8-9: And on that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem , half of them toward the eastern sea [Dead Sea] and the other half toward the western sea [Mediterranean Sea]; it will be in summer as well as in winter. 9 And the Lord will be King over all the earth; on that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one. Faith Lesson from the Dead Sea Area 1. The main lesson we'll take from this area is that of Sodom and Gomorrah. The reason it was destroyed is a serious, 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 foreshadow 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).

Megiddo was one of the most important fortified cities in Israel! The name Armageddon is derived from “Har-Megiddo,” which is translated, as “Armageddon.” Har means hill, and Megeddon is the place. When these words are joined together, mean Armageddon. Megiddo lay at the juncture of several key routes (the main route is called the Via Maris), which linked Africa to Asia and Europe. For this reason, any country that rose to world power had to control Megiddo due to its strategic location. Megiddo: Armageddon Photo Gallery Places of Interest Megiddo Armageddon & the End Times Introduction 1. Welcome to Tel Megiddo—one of the most strategic, fought-over, and prophetically charged places on earth. 2. Beneath the Tel are the remains of more than 26 ancient cities, layer upon layer, built and destroyed across thousands of years. We'll see and experience each layer and place. 3. It's the location where one of the last major battles will take place at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. 4. The name Armageddon is derived from “Har-Megiddo,” which is translated as “Armageddon.” Har means hill, and Megeddon is the place. When these words are joined together, it is Armageddon. 5. Today, this place is called Megiddo in English. 6. Megiddo is the only site in Israel mentioned in the records of all Near Eastern ancient powers, and one of the most fought-over cities in the region. 7. More battles have taken place here than in any place in Israel. 8. It lay on the Via Maris, and whoever controlled it controlled the most important travel route linking Africa and Egypt to Asia and Europe. 9. We're going to explore and see this site, and look at the exact place and read from the Bible where part of the last battle on earth will take place. It will be meaningful and sobering. 10. We'll see an elaborate water system built to have access to water from within the city and protect it from invading armies. 11. So, gear up for an exhilarating journey back in time at the legendary site of ancient battles and biblical prophecies. Location 1. Tel Megiddo is located about 15 miles (26 km) east of the Mediterranean Sea and about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the Sea of Galilee. 2. Megiddo lay at the juncture of several key routes (the main route is called the Via Maris) that linked Africa and Egypt to Asia and Europe. For this reason, any country that rose to world power had to control Megiddo due to its strategic location. 3. It’s located in the most fertile valley in Israel, called the Jezreel Valley. Historical Background 1. More battles have been fought in this location than any other place in the entire world. 2. It is a "Tel," which is made up of layer upon layer of different civilizations that make up an artificial hill. 3. Tel Megiddo is made up of at least 26 layers of civilizations. 4. Today, you can see a busy highway right beside Tel Megiddo that uses the same ancient travel route that has been used for 6,000 years. 5. One of the Pharaohs, Thutmose III, said conquering Megiddo was like conquering a thousand cities. 6. Megiddo was not important because it was large. It was important because it sat at the choke point of the land. Armies had to pass here. Merchants had to pass here. Empires had to pass here. That is why this place became a battlefield again and again. Historical Timeline 1. 4000 BC: Early settlements. 2. 2000 BC: City walls were built. 3. 1800 BC: A Canaanite gate was constructed on the north side. 4. 1500 BC: The gate and walls were rebuilt. 5. 1468 BC: The city rebelled against the Egyptians with other Canaanite cities and was conquered by Thutmose III after a great battle and a 7-month siege. 6. 960 BC: A new gate and walls were built by the Israelites under Solomon's command. 7. 945 BC: Pharaoh Shishak conquered the city (1 Kings 14:25). A fragment of a tablet with Pharaoh Shishak's name was found here. 8. 850 BC: King Ahab fortified Megiddo and dug a water tunnel to access water within the city walls. 9. 732 BC: The city was captured by the Assyrian King Tiglath-Pileser III. Megiddo became the capital of the Assyrian province of the Galilee. 10. 650 BC: Battle between the Egyptian Army and the Kingdom of Judah (King Josiah died in this battle). 11. 609 BC: The Egyptians replaced the Assyrians. 12. 300 BC: The city was abandoned and left in ruins. Places of Interest 1. Reservoir 2. Canaanite City Gate 3. Canaanite Palace 4. Israelite Gate 5. Lesser Canaanite Palace 6. Northern Stables 7. Northern Palace 8. Northern Observation Point 9. Canaanite Temple and Altar 10. Burial Chamber ~ Aegean Tomb 11. Israelite Administrative Structure 12. Southern Observation Point 13. Israelite Dwelling / Four-Room House 14. Southern Palace 15. Public Granary 16. Southern Stables 17. Assyrian Quarter 18. Assyrian Palaces 19. Gallery / earlier spring access 20. Water System Tel Megiddo Tour Route 1. Reservoir This reservoir is connected with the Israelite-period city gate. A staircase descends to a plastered pool, though the exact source of the water remains unclear. Water was life, and a city without water could not survive a siege. As we walk through Megiddo, notice how much planning went into securing water. The final stop—the great water system—will show us how seriously ancient people took survival. 2. Canaanite City Gate This Late Bronze Age (1500–1200 BC) gate was flanked by four chambers. Interestingly, the city was not fortified at that time, so the gate was likely ceremonial rather than purely defensive. It served as the entrance to the palace complex and later went out of use after the palace burned. Megiddo had been fortified in earlier Canaanite periods, especially in the Early Bronze (4000–2000 BC) and Middle Bronze 2000–1500 BC) ages. So Megiddo was walled at times, unwalled at other times, and fortified again later in the Israelite period. This gate reminds us that long before Israel controlled this city, Megiddo was a powerful Canaanite center. Kings, officials, soldiers, merchants, and servants would have passed through here. Joshua 17 and Judges 1 say Manasseh failed to fully drive out the Canaanites from Megiddo. This gate helps us visualize the powerful Canaanite city that Israel faced. 3. Canaanite Palace Only part of the palace remains, including a massive two-meter-thick wall. The palace reached its greatest size in the Late Canaanite period and included a large courtyard with surrounding rooms. Hundreds of carved ivory objects were discovered in a “treasure room,” revealing the wealth and international connections of Megiddo’s rulers. Megiddo was not a poor village. It was a royal city. The ivories found here show luxury, trade, art, and political power. This was a city tied to the great cultures of the ancient Near East. Power without God does not last. The palace burned, the rulers disappeared, but the Word of God remains. 4. Israelite Gate This is one of the most important stops for Bible teaching. The Israelite city gate had multiple chambers and was incorporated into the fortifications. Earlier scholars attributed it to Solomon, but present-day excavators often date it later, to the time of Jeroboam II in the eighth century BC. City gates in the Bible were more than entrances. They were places of judgment, business, defense, and leadership. Elders sat in the gate. Legal decisions were made in the gate. So when you stand in an ancient gate, you are standing in the civic heart of the city. 1 Kings 9:15 mentions Solomon building Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. "And this is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon drafted to build the house of the Lord and his own house and the Millo and the wall of Jerusalem and Hazor and Megiddo and Gezer ." Archaeology confirms major Israelite construction here, while scholars still debate which structures belong to Solomon’s time and which belong to later Israelite kings. 5. Lesser Canaanite Palace This smaller palace belonged to the Late Canaanite palace complex. It had a large courtyard surrounded by rooms, and two stone basins were found in place. This stop helps us see that Megiddo was not a single building but an entire royal complex. The Canaanite rulers had gates, palaces, courtyards, storage areas, and service areas. Canaanite Megiddo was organized, wealthy, and deeply rooted. Israel’s struggle to possess the land was not against weak villages but against established city-states. 6. Northern Stables Two stable complexes were found at Megiddo, one in the northeast and one in the southwest. They show Megiddo’s importance as a cavalry base or horse-trading center. The construction has been attributed by different scholars either to Ahab in the ninth century BC or Jeroboam II in the eighth century BC, while some suggest the structures may have served other functions, such as storehouses, markets, or barracks. This is where Megiddo becomes a military city. Chariots and horses were the tanks and armored vehicles of the ancient world. Whoever controlled Megiddo could project power across the Jezreel Valley. Solomon is known for horses and chariots, and the northern kingdom of Israel later became a significant military power. Megiddo fits that world well. 7. Northern Palace The northern palace was a major ashlar-built structure from the Israelite period. Yigael Yadin suggested it may belong to the time of Solomon, while other scholars date it later, possibly to Ahab. This is one of the places where archaeology and the Bible meet—and where archaeology also reminds us to be careful. The Bible says Solomon built Megiddo. The ruins show a royal Israelite city. But the exact dating of some buildings is debated. It's important to understand that archaeology supports the Bible but does not always answer every question with perfect certainty. 8. Northern Observation Point From here, you can see the Jezreel Valley, the Carmel Range, the Nazareth area, Mount Tabor, the Hill of Moreh, the Gilboa Mountains, Samaria, and sometimes even the mountains of Gilead. Look around. This is why Megiddo mattered. Armies could move through this valley. Trade could flow through this valley. Whoever held this hill could watch the nations pass by and control its flow. 9. Canaanite Temple and Altar Here we can see a large cut through the tel. It was carried out between 1903 and 1905 by Gottlieb Schumacher for the German Society for Oriental Research. This is one of the most fascinating areas on the tel. The deep trench shows many layers of occupation, with more than 26 cities excavated down to bedrock. The temple area includes cultic activity from the fourth millennium BC through the beginning of the Israelite period. A circular altar about eight meters in diameter, with seven steps, remained in use, and animal bones were found at its base. This is one of the oldest and most powerful religious areas in the land. For over 2,000 years, people came here to worship false gods. It's widely believed that even children were offered to these false gods here. This helps us understand why the Bible speaks so strongly against the Canaanite religion. This stop helps explain the spiritual battle behind the conquest. Israel was not merely entering a land; they were confronting deeply rooted idolatry. 10. Burial Chamber ~ Aegean Tomb This arched-roofed structure was preserved in its entirety, but it was found empty, so its exact purpose and date are debated. Scholars have compared it with structures in the Levant and Greece and suggested it was a burial chamber. This tomb reminds us that archaeology often gives us clues, not always complete answers. We have the structure, but not the people. We have the architecture, but not the full story. Every ancient city was filled with real people—rulers, soldiers, families, worshipers, and the dead. Megiddo is not just stones; it is human history. 11. Israelite Administrative Structure This was an impressive Israelite-period structure, perhaps a palace or administrative building. Seven proto-Ionic capitals were found here; such capitals were typical of important public buildings in the Israelite period. Now we are looking at government and administration. Megiddo was not just a military outpost. It was a managed royal city with officials, records, storage, and public buildings. This fits the world of Israel’s monarchy—taxation, forced labor, military districts, and royal administration. 12. Southern Observation Point This is a great spot to observe and contemplate an epic end-times battle that will happen or be staged here. Revelation 16:13-16: And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. 14 For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) 16 And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon . 13. Israelite Dwelling / Four-Room House This dwelling reflects the classic Israelite four-room house plan: three parallel spaces with a fourth space perpendicular to them. The side spaces were used for storage, the middle as an open courtyard, and the perpendicular space as the living area. Here we move from kings and armies to daily life. People cooked here, stored food here, raised families here, and lived under the shadow of empire. Megiddo was not only a battlefield. It was home for many people. 14. Southern Palace Most of the southern palace was dismantled by the Chicago expedition to reach earlier layers, but its courtyard and gate remain. Near its outer gate, Schumacher found the famous seal inscribed “to Shema, servant of Jeroboam.” The original seal was lost, but it is known from a drawing. This palace connects us to the world of Israel’s kings. Even the name Jeroboam appears here in an administrative context, reminding us that these biblical kingdoms were real political entities with officials and servants. Some scholars connect the palace to the tenth century BC; others date it later, possibly to the ninth century BC, during Ahab’s reign. 15. Public Granary This huge silo is about seven meters deep and eleven meters in diameter. It had two staircases leading down, and wheat kernels and straw remains helped identify it as a granary. Its capacity was about 450 cubic meters, enough for roughly 1,000 tons of wheat. Food was power. A fortified city needed grain for soldiers, horses, officials, and civilians. This granary shows planning, wealth, and preparation for crisis. This is a great place to connect with the Bible’s frequent emphasis on grain, famine, siege, and storage. 16. Southern Stables This is one of Megiddo’s two stable complexes. The southern stables included long buildings opening onto a large training ground, with stone pillars, troughs, tethering holes, and even horse bite marks on the troughs. One of the stables has been reconstructed. The horses of Megiddo tell us that this city was built for movement and war. Chariots could move quickly across the Jezreel Valley. Megiddo was a military machine. Human power often trusts in horses and chariots, but Scripture says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God ” — Psalm 20:7. 17. Assyrian Quarter After the Assyrian conquest in 732 BC, Megiddo was rebuilt as an Assyrian administrative city. The Assyrian quarter represents the city after Israel’s northern kingdom fell under Assyrian rule. This is the world after Israel’s defeat. The northern kingdom fell, and Assyria reorganized the land. Megiddo became part of an imperial system. This connects with 2 Kings 17 and the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel. 18. Assyrian Palaces These palaces served Assyrian governors when Megiddo was the capital of an Assyrian district. Their plan resembles Assyrian palace architecture, though on a smaller scale. Here we see the footprint of empire. The Assyrians did not just conquer; they administered, taxed, resettled, and reshaped the land. Megiddo shows how quickly power changes hands. Canaanite, Israelite, Assyrian, Egyptian, Roman, Ottoman, British—each had its moment, but none lasted forever. 19. Early Spring Access Before the great water system was built, a narrow passage ran beneath the city wall toward the spring outside the city. Some scholars date this gallery to Solomon’s time in the tenth century BC, while others attribute it to Ahab in the ninth century BC. This was an earlier solution to the water problem. In siege warfare, the question was simple: could the people inside the walls reach water without being killed outside them? 20. Water System This is the dramatic finale. Megiddo’s inhabitants dug a 36-meter-deep shaft and a 70-meter-long horizontal tunnel to reach the spring outside the city walls. The tunnel was designed so that water would flow to the bottom of the shaft, allowing people to draw water from within the city. The outside entrance to the spring was sealed and hidden so enemies could not find it during a siege. This tunnel is ancient engineering at its best. It tells us that Megiddo expected war. The city prepared for siege. They hid their water, protected their people, and carved through rock to survive. Spiritual application: Cities prepare for temporary survival, but Scripture calls us to prepare for eternity. Tel Megiddo In the Bible 1. King Solomon fortified Megiddo and used it as a fort of protection. He had 450 chariots stationed here. 1 Kings 9:15: Now this is the account of the forced labor which King Solomon levied to build the house of the Lord, his own house, the Millo, the wall of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo , and Gezer. 2. A monumental battle will be fought here and in Jerusalem at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. Revelation 16:1-21: Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God .” 2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. 3 The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea. 4 The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. 6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!” 7 And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!” 8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. 10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish 11 and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. 12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. 13 And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. 14 For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) 16 And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon . 17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. 19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. 21 And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe. 3. Harvest of the earth in God’s winepress of wrath in Jerusalem. Revelation 14:14-20: Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 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 [Jerusalem], and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia [180 miles, 300 km]. Matthew 25:31-34: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:46: And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Faith Lesson from Megiddo 1. Part of the last battle of Armageddon will be fought in Megiddo and the other part in Jerusalem. The war seems to happen simultaneously. 2. This battle will take place at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. 3. Scripture says that unless these days were shortened, no life would survive. 4. The Tribulation Period will be a time when God pours out His wrath on a world that has rejected Him after all He has done for them. 5. Where will I be at this battle? Will I be fighting with Christ or against Him? 6. Water was the main source of life for every city in ancient days. These cities could be conquered when their enemies cut off their water supply. 7. God’s Word is our water source of life. Our enemy, Satan, can defeat us by cutting off our intake of God’s Word. When he can do this, he can conquer us. To stand against Satan and his attacks, am I daily drinking abundantly from the water source of God’s Word?

Filmed in Israel on a Sea of Galilee boat ride! In-depth teaching of Jesus walking on water, calming the storm on the sea, Peter walking on water, feeding the 5,000, and more! See the mountain where Jesus prayed, where He fed the 5,000, Magada, Gennesaret, Tabgha, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Kursi, Sea of Galilee, and more. Matthew 14:22, Mark 6:45, John 6:16. Sites of interest include: Mount Arbel, Magdala, Gennesaret, Tabhga, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Kirsi, Feeding the 5,000. Jesus Walks on Water, Calms the Sea Photo Gallery Places of Interest Jesus Walks on Water and Calms the Sea Introduction Welcome to a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Two significant events from the Bible took place out on the water. Here are the highlights. 1. Jesus calms a storm on a boat ride from Capernaum to the country of the Gadarenes, where He healed two demon-possessed men. One of these men had a legion of demons in him whom Jesus cast into a herd of pigs, and they ran down a steep hill into the sea (Matthew 8:23-27). 2. The second account involves Jesus calming a storm and walking on the water. It's found in Matthew 14:22-36. This is the account we'll focus on here. Location 1. This miracle occurred in the middle of the widest part of the sea. John 6:19 suggests it was about 3–4 miles (5.5 km) from the eastern shore. The sea is about 8 miles (13 km) wide at its widest part, which would place them in the middle of the sea. 2. They were also far from land (Matt. 14:24). This means they were far from the northern part of the seashore as well. Historical Background 1. The disciples had just returned from an amazing time of preaching and healing throughout Israel (Christ had sent them out two by two). 2. Jesus took them to the eastern side of the sea, south of Bethsaida, to rest. However, instead of resting, a large crowd gathered, and Jesus taught them all day and then fed them. There were 5,000 men, not counting women and children, present, which means there were probably 15,000–20,000 people or more in total. Luke 9:10: On their return, the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida . 3. After Christ fed the multitude, they wanted to make Him King by force (John 6:15). However, what they had in mind was an earthly kingdom wherein the Romans would be overthrown, and Jesus would return them to their glory days. This was prophesied in Scripture, but Christ’s earthly kingdom would not be realized until His second coming. 4. The disciples were caught up in the frenzy of the crowd’s desire to make Jesus King, so He immediately sent them away by boat to the other side of the sea. 5. The disciples’ hearts were hard, and Scripture says they didn’t learn anything from the feeding of the 5,000 (Matt. 16:5–12). 6. After feeding the 5,000, Jesus went up on a mountain to pray. He likely prayed that His disciples would learn the lesson of faith He was about to teach them. This lesson would involve sending a storm and revealing His deity to them. 7. Jesus purposefully allowed them to reach a state of utter disaster, fear, and desperation so that what He was about to teach them would sink in deeply. 8. The narrative of Scripture would place the disciples sailing from the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee to the western shore. Places of Interest 1. Feeding of the 5,000 location. 2. The mountain upon which Jesus prayed. 3. Departure beach 4. Bethsaida 5. Capernaum 6. Place where Jesus walked on water. 7. Gennesaret 8. Sea of Galilee Jesus Walks on Water and Calms the Sea in the Bible 1. Immediately after feeding the 5,000, Jesus sent His disciples to the other side of the sea. Matthew 14:22: Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. Mark 6:45: Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. John 6:16–17: When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. The summary of these verses indicates that they were headed west to the other side of the sea. 2. Jesus went up on a mountain to pray. Matthew 14:23: And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. 3. Jesus sends a strong storm. Matthew 14:24: But the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. Mark 6:48: And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. John 6:17–18: It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 4. Jesus comes to the disciples walking on the sea. Matthew 14:25: And in the fourth watch of the night [3:00–6:00 am] he came to them, walking on the sea. John 6:19: When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat. 5. The disciples become terrified. Matthew 14:26: But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. 6. The emotional state of the disciples: They were already exhausted from their ministry of being sent out two by two. They had a long day of ministry. They rowed all night in a state of panic and desperation. They missed a night of sleep. It was still dark, so it was probably around 4:00 am. They feared for their lives. They were alone. They were terrified when they saw Jesus walking on the sea. 7. Jesus spoke to them. Matthew 14:27: But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I [I AM, in Greek]. Do not be afraid." 8. Peter walks on the water for a moment. Matthew 14:28–31: And Peter answered him, " Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come. "So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 9. The disciples worship Jesus as Lord and Messiah. Matthew 14:32–33: And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Mark 6:52: And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded. This miracle was a major turning point in the lives of the disciples. The deity of Jesus was now deeply embedded in their hearts and lives, and they would never be the same. 10. Jesus and the disciples miraculously arrive at the other side of the sea at Gennesaret. Matthew 14:34: And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. John 6:21: Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. 11. After already being exhausted and missing a night of sleep, they had more ministry awaiting them. Matthew 14:34–36: And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. Faith Lesson from Jesus Walking on Water and Calming the Sea 1. Jesus embedded in the lives of His disciples that He was God. Do we believe in the deity of Christ and that He was God in the flesh? 2. Like Peter and the disciples, are we of little faith sometimes? 3. Like the disciples, we are often surrounded by serious problems. Do we realize Jesus cares for us during our storms? 4. Like the disciples, we can often feel tired and alone in our trials and problems. Do we understand that we are not alone and that God is caring for us? 5. Peter walked on the water for a moment and then took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm. Therefore, he sank into the water. Do we understand that to navigate the storms in our lives, we must keep our eyes on Jesus despite the raging problems around us? 6. Jesus sent the storm to teach His disciples who He was and their need for faith in Him. Do we understand that Jesus also sends us storms to teach us the same truths? 7. Jesus and the disciples often had long days of exhausting ministry. Are we willing to do the same?

The Tower of David, also known as the Jerusalem Citadel, is a historic and iconic landmark located near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. Its history spans several millennia and reflects the city's rich and diverse cultural heritage. King Herod’s Palace, located near the Tower of David, was one of the most magnificent structures in ancient Jerusalem. Tower of David & King Herod's Palace Photo Gallery Places of Interest Tower of David & King Herod's Palace Complex Introduction 1. Welcome to the Tower of David Museum, located at one of the most important entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem. This place is not only a museum. It is a fortress, an archaeological site, a lookout point, and a summary of Jerusalem’s history in one location. 2. Jerusalem is a city of layers. Here, we will see those layers very clearly: First Temple remains, Hasmonean fortifications, Herod’s towers and palace area, Roman traces, Byzantine memories, Early Muslim fortifications, Crusader halls, Mamluk rebuilding, Ottoman gates and minaret, British Mandate history, and the modern State of Israel. 3. The renewed museum reopened in June 2023 after a major renovation costing 50 million US dollars that included preservation of the citadel, restoration of the minaret, renewal of the archaeological garden, a new entrance pavilion, improved accessibility, and a new permanent exhibition in 10 galleries. 4. This site is a perfect place to begin a Jerusalem tour because it stands between old and new Jerusalem. The museum itself describes the citadel as a gateway to exploring Jerusalem, with a visitor route from the entrance pavilion through the galleries, up to the Phasael Tower lookout, and then out toward the Old City. 5. Its history spans over 2,700 years, dating to the time of King Hezekiah and the First Temple Period. 6 . It's part of Herod's Palace, which later was used by Pilate, where Jesus was most likely tried and condemned to crucifixion. Location 1. The Tower of David Museum, also known as the Jerusalem Citadel, is a historic and iconic landmark near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. Its history spans several millennia and reflects the city's rich and diverse cultural heritage. 2. King Herod’s Palace, located near the Tower of David, was one of the most magnificent structures in ancient Jerusalem. The Name “Tower of David” 1. Many visitors think King David built this tower, but he did not. The name "Tower of David" is a later traditional name. The name "Tower of David" was first used for the Herodian tower in the 5th century AD by the Byzantine Christians, who believed the site to be the palace of King David. They borrowed the name "Tower of David" from the Song of Songs, attributed to Solomon, King David's son, who wrote: "Thy neck is like the Tower of David built with turrets, whereon there hang a thousand shields, all the armor of the mighty men" Song of Solomon 4:4. 2. Later, Muslim tradition also connected the area with David, and Western visitors eventually applied the name especially to the Ottoman minaret. Today, the name refers to the whole citadel. 3. In Jerusalem, names are often ancient, traditional, and layered. A name may preserve memory, but it does not always identify the exact builder. Tower of David Historical Background The citadel guarded the western side of Jerusalem. But why here in this area? Because this was one of the most vulnerable and important approaches to the city. Anyone coming from the west, from the coastal plain, would approach Jerusalem near this area. That is why rulers kept fortifying this spot again and again. Therefore, the citadel is not one building from one period. It is a fortress made of many periods. 1. First Temple Period - 970 ~ 586 BC The earliest major remains in the citadel area go back to the First Temple Period. The museum identifies remains of a wall from the end of that period, apparently part of Jerusalem’s defenses in the days of King Hezekiah, around 2,700 years ago. Hezekiah ruled Judah when the Assyrian Empire threatened Jerusalem. The Bible describes the Assyrian crisis in 2 Kings 18–19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36–37. Jerusalem expanded westward during the First Temple Period, and defensive walls became very important. When we talk about ancient Jerusalem, we usually think first of the City of David, south of the Temple Mount. But by Hezekiah’s day, Jerusalem had expanded. This western hill became part of the defended city. That is why First Temple-period fortifications matter here. 2. Hasmonean Period - 165 ~ 63 BC After the Maccabean revolt, the Hasmonean rulers expanded and fortified Jerusalem. Here in the citadel area, they built massive walls and towers. The museum notes that dozens of ballista stones were found near the places where they landed, giving us a vivid picture of warfare around Jerusalem. The Hasmoneans were the Jewish ruling family that came out of the Maccabean revolt. Their story is connected with Hanukkah and the rededication of the Temple in the second century BC. Recent excavations (2025–2026) in the Kishle area under the Tower of David complex uncovered a major Hasmonean wall foundation, about 50 meters long and about 5 meters wide. AP reported that this is one of the longest intact sections of the Hasmonean wall foundation found in Jerusalem, likely built after the Hanukkah-era events. This is one of the exciting things about Jerusalem: archaeology is not finished. Even today, new discoveries are helping us understand the city’s story. 3. Herodian Period - 37 ~ 4 BC Herod the Great made this area one of the strongest and most impressive parts of Jerusalem. Herod, who took power over the Hasmonean dynasty, added three massive towers to the fortifications in 37–34 BC. He built these at the vulnerable northwest corner of the Western Hill, where the Citadel is now located. His purpose was not only to defend the city but also to safeguard his own royal palace located nearby on Mount Zion. Herod named the tallest of the towers in memory of his brother, who had committed suicide while in captivity. Another tower was called Mariamne, named for his second wife, whom he had executed and buried in a cave to the west of the tower. He named the third tower Hippicus after one of his friends. Of the three towers, only the base of one of them survives today. Of the original tower itself (now called the Tower of David), some sixteen courses of the Herodian stone ashlars still rise from ground level, upon which were added smaller stones in a later period that added back significantly to the height of the remaining stump of the Herodian tower. The museum identifies the surviving tower as the Phasael Tower, though scholars have debated whether the surviving tower should be identified as Phasael or Hippicus. The museum identifies this as Phasael Tower, one of Herod’s great towers, and is where today the observation point is located. Herod was Rome’s client king over Judea. He rebuilt the Temple Mount on a massive scale and also built palace-fortresses such as Masada, Herodium, and Caesarea Maritima. In Jerusalem, his western palace stood near this area. Herod the Great is the king in Matthew 2, during the birth of Jesus. Later, Herod’s palace area may also be relevant to the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, though this is debated. Some scholars and Christian guides argue that Jesus may have been tried by Pilate near Herod’s former palace in the western part of Jerusalem, rather than at the Antonia Fortress. The Kishle excavations have renewed discussion of this possibility. The Jerusalem Post notes that many Christian leaders, historians, and archaeologists increasingly connect the trial setting with the area near the Tower of David/Kishle, while also acknowledging the long history of other traditional locations. HolyLandSite.com's position strongly leans to the area by Herod's Palace as the best candidate for the trial of Jesus. We have done several videos about it. Here is a link to see more: Pilate's Palace: Judgment & Condemnation of Jesus | HolyLandSite.com 4. Roman Period in Israel - 63 BC ~ 324 AD In 70 AD, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple. Simon Bar Kokhba, the leader of the Jewish uprising, made the tower his residence. Josephus says the Romans left some of the great towers standing to show how strong the city had been and how great the Roman victory was. The museum notes that Josephus recorded the survival of Phasael Tower after the Roman destruction. After the revolt, the Tenth Roman Legion was stationed in Jerusalem. The museum notes that Roman legionaries camped in the ruins of the fortress and left clay pipes stamped with the seal of the Tenth Legion. This means that after Jerusalem’s destruction, this area did not become empty. It became part of the Roman military presence in the ruined city. 5. Byzantine Period in Israel - 324 ~ 638 AD In the Byzantine period, Jerusalem became a major Christian pilgrimage city. This is the period of Constantine, Helena, and the development of Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. Churches were built, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Byzantine monks lived near the fortress and mistakenly believed it was connected to King David. This is when the name "Tower of David" became attached to the site. This was so because the Byzantines mistakenly identified the hill as Mount Zion and presumed it to be David's palace, as mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:11, 11:1-27, and 16:22. The Byzantine period did not only build churches. It also reshaped the memory of Jerusalem. Places were identified, named, and connected to biblical stories. Some identifications were accurate, and some were traditional or mistaken. 6. Islamic Period - 638 to 1099 AD After the Arab conquest of Jerusalem in 638, the new Muslim rulers refurbished the Tower of David and then referred to it also as the Citadel of Davd, or citadel. This mighty structure withstood the Crusaders' assault in 1099 and surrendered only when its defenders were guaranteed safe passage out of the city. T his area continued to serve as a fortified point. The museum explains that an enclosed citadel was built here in the Early Muslim period. It was smaller than the present citadel and was attached to the Phasael Tower. In the courtyard, the base of a round tower about 10 meters, or 30 feet, in diameter can still be seen. This is the period of the Umayyads, Abbasids, Fatimids, and other Muslim rulers. The Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque belong to the broader early Islamic transformation of Jerusalem. Notice how every ruler reused what came before. Instead of clearing the whole area and starting over, new rulers built onto earlier fortifications. 7. Crusader Period - 1099 to 1260 AD When the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, they turned this area into a major castle. The museum says the Crusader castle was built in a French feudal style, with knights’ halls, arches, defensive walls, and a moat. The Crusaders gave the fortress much of its present size and dimensions. During this period, thousands of pilgrims undertook the pilgrimage to Jerusalem through the port at Jaffa. To protect pilgrims from the menace of highway robbers, the Crusaders built a tower surrounded by a moat atop the citadel and posted lookouts to guard the road to Jaffa. The citadel also protected the newly erected palace of the Crusader kings of Jerusalem, located immediately south of the fortress. The Crusaders controlled Jerusalem from 1099 until Saladin’s conquest in 1187, with later periods of partial Crusader return and conflict. The citadel guarded the western entrance to the city and the road system leading into Jerusalem. The Crusader period is easy to feel here because of the heavy stone halls, arches, and defensive character of the site. This was not just a symbolic building. It was a working military fortress. 8. Mamluk Period - 1260 to 1517 AD After the Crusaders, the Mamluks ruled Jerusalem. Most of the rooms now used as museum exhibition spaces were built by the Mamluks on the structural base of the Crusader fortress. They enlarged and strengthened the fortress and added more advanced defensive features. The Mamluks ruled from Egypt and controlled Jerusalem as part of their wider empire. Jerusalem was not usually a political capital under them, but it remained a holy city and a place of pilgrimage, learning, and religious endowment. In 1310, the citadel was rebuilt by Mamluk sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, who gave it much of its present shape. 9. Ottoman Period - 1517 ~ 1917 The Ottomans ruled Jerusalem for 400 years. They rebuilt the Old City walls under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent from 1537 - 1541. Here at the fortress, they renovated the fortress, built the monumental entrance gate, the stone bridge, the cannon plaza, and the minaret. The minaret became the famous symbol most people now call the Tower of David. For 400 years, the citadel served as a garrison for Turkish troops. The Ottomans also installed a mosque near the southwest corner of the citadel, erecting a minaret between 1635 and 1655. In the 19th century, the conspicuous minaret still stands today and became commonly called the "Tower of David." During World War I, British forces under General Edmund Allenby captured Jerusalem. General Allenby formally proclaimed the event, standing on a platform at the outer eastern gate of the fortress. When tourists take a picture of the Tower of David, they often photograph the Ottoman minaret. So, the most famous symbol of the "Tower of David" is not from David, not from Herod, and not from the Crusaders. It is Ottoman. 10. British Mandate Period - 1917 to 1948 In 1917, British forces entered Jerusalem. The museum notes that the British declared the conquest of the city on the eastern side steps to the fortress. During the Mandate period, the first archaeological excavations in the complex were carried out, and the fortress was used as an art gallery, museum, and cultural center. General Allenby famously dismounted his horse, as a symbol of humility and respect for the holiness of Jerusalem, and entered it on foot through Jaffa Gate in December 1917. The British wanted to show respect for the holy city by not entering as conquerors on horseback. During this period, the Tower of David served as a military headquarters. Additionally, th e High Commissioner established the Pro-Jerusalem Society to protect the city's cultural heritage. This organization cleaned and renovated the citadel and reopened it to the public as a venue for concerts, benefit events, and exhibitions by local artists. In the 1930s, a museum of Palestinian folklore was opened in the citadel, displaying traditional crafts and clothing. Following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Arab Legion captured Jerusalem and converted the citadel back to its historical role as a military position, as it commanded a dominant view across the armistice line into Jewish Jerusalem. It would keep this role until 1967. This fortress, once built for war, became a cultural site. That is one of the beautiful changes in the story of the Tower of David. 11. State of Israel Today 1948 ~ Present After the 1948 War, the fortress was used by the Jordanians as a fortress. In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel took control of the Old City, and the citadel came under Israeli sovereignty. After extensive excavations, it opened in 1989 as the Tower of David Museum. Since the Six-Day War in 1967, the citadel's cultural role has been revived. The Jerusalem Foundation opened the Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem in 1989. Located in a series of chambers in the original citadel, the museum includes a courtyard with archeological remains dating back 2,700 years. The exhibits depict 4,000 years of Jerusalem's history, from its beginnings as a Canaanite city to modern times. Using maps, videotapes, holograms, drawings, and models, the exhibit rooms each depict Jerusalem under its various rulers. Visitors may also ascend to the ramparts, which command a 360-degree view of Jerusalem's Old and New City. The Tower of David stands as a testament to Jerusalem’s complex and layered history, reflecting the many civilizations that have left their mark on the city. Today, the museum tells the whole story of Jerusalem: ancient, biblical, classical, Islamic, Crusader, Ottoman, modern, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim. That is what makes this site so powerful. If you ever visit, you’ll find it offers a fascinating glimpse into the past! Places of Interest Tour 1. Entrance The entrance has changed since 2023. It's now located on the west side of the Tower of David Museum just south of Jaffa Gate. 2. Gallery 1: “On the Edge of Eternity” — Introduction to Jerusalem This is the introductory gallery. It welcomes visitors to Jerusalem and presents the city’s 4,000-year history through projections, artifacts, a topographical map, an illuminated globe, and a 12-meter interactive timeline. This first gallery gives us the big picture. Jerusalem is not just a city of stones. It is a city of memory, faith, conflict, hope, and longing. The timeline helps visitors see the full sweep of history before we enter the details. This gallery shows the following history of Jerusalem: Canaanite/Jebusite city → Israelite/Judahite Jerusalem → Babylonian destruction → Persian return → Hasmonean kingdom → Herodian Jerusalem → Roman destruction → Byzantine Christian city → Islamic city → Crusader city → Mamluk and Ottoman city → British Mandate → modern Jerusalem. 3. Courtyard Archaeology Overview The courtyard is one of the best places to show that Jerusalem’s history is layered. The museum states that Jerusalem’s ancient fortifications are displayed in the courtyard and archaeological gardens under careful conservation practices. This courtyard is like an open-air history book. Some remains are walls. Some are towers. Some are water systems. Some are foundations. The important thing is not just one object; it is the sequence. Jerusalem was destroyed, rebuilt, conquered, restored, renamed, and reimagined many times. Main periods that can be seen in the courtyard: First Temple wall remains, Hasmonean fortifications, Herodian tower remains, Roman military traces, Byzantine cisterns, Early Muslim round tower, Crusader moat and halls, Mamluk rooms, Ottoman gate and minaret. 4. Gallery 2: Judaism — “The Holy City: Tracing Sanctity” This gallery explores the more than 3,000-year connection between Jerusalem and the Jewish people. It includes animations, videos, installations, archaeological artifacts, and a detailed model of the Second Temple and Temple Mount made with modern 3D printing. For Judaism, Jerusalem is the city of the Temple, the city of David, the place of sacrifice, prayer, kingship, exile, return, and hope. Even after the destruction of the Temple, Jerusalem remained central in Jewish prayer and identity. Bible connections: 2 Samuel 5 — David captures Jerusalem. 1 Kings 8 — Solomon dedicates the Temple. Psalm 122 — “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2 — “The law will go out from Zion.” The model of the Second Temple helps visitors visualize Jerusalem in the time of Jesus, Herod, and the early church. This was the spiritual heart of Jewish life in the Second Temple period. 5. Gallery 3: Christianity — “Sacred Geography: Tracing Sanctity” This gallery focuses on Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem and on the Byzantine and Crusader periods, when Christian rule shaped the city. At the center is a model of the original Byzantine Church of the Holy Sepulchre. For Christianity, Jerusalem is holy above all because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The final week of Jesus’ life took place in Jerusalem: the triumphal entry, Last Supper, Gethsemane, trial, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Jerusalem’s Christian geography developed over time. Some sites are strongly supported by history and archaeology; others are based more on later tradition. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the most important Christian site in the city because it preserves the traditional location of Jesus’ crucifixion and tomb. 6. Gallery 4: Islam — “Praises of Jerusalem: Tracing Sanctity” This gallery presents the Muslim connection to Jerusalem beginning with the 638 AD conquest. It includes a model of the Dome of the Rock as built in 691 AD, and an animated installation about Muhammad’s Night Journey and ascent, which gives Jerusalem its status as the third holiest city in Islam. The Dome of the Rock, built in 691 AD, is one of the oldest and most beautiful Islamic monuments in the world. It was built on the Temple Mount, right over where the original temple King Solomon built, Zerubbabel rebuilt, and Herod the Great rebuilt again to its most glorious state ever. Jerusalem is one city, but it is sacred in different ways to different faiths. This museum helps visitors see those different layers side by side. 7. Gallery 5: “Jerusalem: The Circle of the Year” This gallery uses video art on the vaulted ceiling, music, chants, prayers, and touchscreens to present the yearly cycle of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim holy days in Jerusalem. This room is not only about dates on a calendar. It is about the living rhythm of Jerusalem. In this city, the year is shaped by Passover, Easter, Ramadan, Sukkot, Christmas, Hanukkah, and many other holy days. In Jerusalem, history is not only in the past. It is lived every year. 8. Gallery 6: The Tower of David This gallery tells the story of the citadel itself, using projection mapping, video archives, artifacts, and digital games. It presents the Tower of David as a symbol of Jerusalem and shows archaeological evidence from the First Temple Period to modern times. Now we focus on the building we are standing in. The citadel is a small version of Jerusalem’s whole history. Every empire that came to Jerusalem left something here. The Tower of David is not the story of one king. It is the story of many rulers, many faiths, many destructions, and many reconstructions. 9. Gallery 7: Temporary Exhibition Gallery It's called the "Temporary Exhibition Gallery" because the museum changes its exhibitions regularly. Because this gallery changes, it reminds us that Jerusalem is not only ancient, but also modern, artistic, musical, and personal. Every generation tells the city’s story in a new way. 10. Gallery 8: “From a Bird’s Eye View” — The 1873 Illés Model This gallery displays the large Stephan Illés model of Jerusalem as it appeared in 1873. It measures about 4 by 4.5 meters and shows streets, alleys, buildings, mountains, and valleys. The model was made by Stephan Illés, a Hungarian pilgrim who arrived in Jerusalem in 1864; it was first shown in Vienna in 1873 and later rediscovered in Geneva before being returned to Jerusalem on permanent loan. This is one of the best tools for understanding 19th-century Jerusalem. The city was still mostly inside the Ottoman walls. Soon after this, Jerusalem began expanding outside the Old City in a major way. In the model we can see the Jaffa Gate, the citadel, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Temple Mount, Mount of Olives, valleys, roads, and the first neighborhoods outside the walls. This model captures Jerusalem at a turning point: still ancient in appearance, but about to become a modern city. 11. Gallery 9: Modern Times — Jerusalem as Center of the World This gallery tells the story of the last 200 years through photographs, films, archival material, and documents, showing Jerusalem’s modernization in the 19th and 20th centuries and its role as the capital of the State of Israel. In the modern period, Jerusalem changed rapidly. New neighborhoods were built outside the walls. Foreign powers opened consulates. Pilgrims, archaeologists, photographers, scholars, and political movements all came here. Jerusalem became not only a holy city, but also a modern political and international city. 12. Gallery 10: “Eye Towards Zion” — Photography and Modern Jerusalem This gallery is dedicated to early photography and photographers of modern Jerusalem. It shows how Jerusalem became an important subject soon after the invention of photography in the mid-19th century. It also includes a reading library and views from the windows. Photography changed the way the world saw Jerusalem. Before photography, many people imagined Jerusalem through Scripture, maps, paintings, and pilgrims’ stories. With photography, people could see the real streets, gates, walls, people, and holy sites. Jerusalem has always been both real and symbolic. Photography brought those two together. 13. Phasael Tower Observation Point This is one of the best views in Jerusalem and offers a 360-degree view. From here, we see east and west, old and new, sacred and modern. This view helps us understand why Jerusalem matters geographically. From here we can see: To the east: Old City, Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, Mount of Olives. To the north: Christian Quarter, Church of the Holy Sepulchre area, Muslim Quarter, Damascus Gate direction. To the south: Armenian Quarter, Jewish Quarter, Mount Zion, Dormition Abbey, Upper Room. To the west: New Jerusalem, Mamilla, modern city expansion outside the walls. Jerusalem is not large, but its meaning is enormous. From this tower, we see why this city was desired by kings, empires, pilgrims, armies, and worshipers. 14. The Moat The moat reminds us that this was a fortress. A moat made it harder for attackers to reach the walls. In the Crusader and later periods, defensive planning shaped this site. The museum notes that the Crusader citadel was surrounded by a moat and included halls, arches, and defensive walls. The Tower of David today is peaceful, but its architecture was born from centuries of conflict. 15. The Kishle The Kishle is an archaeological part of the Tower of David. It was originally the northern part of King Herod's Palace complex. Over the years it has been converted into a prison during the Ottoman and British Mandate periods. Under its floors, excavations have revealed layers from many periods of Jerusalem’s history: First Temple, Hasmonean, Herodian, Roman, Crusader, Ottoman, British, and modern. It is one of the clearest examples of Jerusalem’s layers in one building. Recent excavations reached bedrock and revealed a major Hasmonean-era wall, one of the most complete and longest sections of Jerusalem’s First Wall found so far. Archaeologists also found evidence such as medieval dyeing basins and prison graffiti from the Ottoman and British periods. Some believe Herod’s palace area near the Tower of David may be the better location for the praetorium where Jesus was tried before Pilate. The Kishle is powerful because it brings together archaeology and human stories: kings, soldiers, prisoners, pilgrims, rebels, and worshipers. 16. Exit The exit is near the inner passage by the Gift Shop, close to the route toward the Moat and Kishle area. As we leave the Tower of David, remember this: the citadel is not really about David alone. It is about Jerusalem. It shows us a city, built layer upon layer, period upon period, empire upon empire. Here we see walls from the days of Judah, fortifications from the Hasmoneans, towers of Herod, traces of Rome, memories of Byzantine Christians, Muslim fortifications, Crusader halls, Mamluk rebuilding, Ottoman symbols, British history, and modern Israel. Jerusalem is a city where history is not hidden far away. It is under your feet, in the stones, in the walls, and in the names. The Tower of David is one of the best places to understand that story. 17. Optional Evening Add-On: Night Spectacular or King David Show The museum also offers night experiences projected on the walls of the citadel. These are not part of the regular museum ticket, but they can be a strong evening add-on for groups. The museum describes the Night Experiences as open-air sound-and-light shows projected on the citadel walls, about 40 minutes long, designed for speakers of all languages. King Herod's Palace Historical Background 1. King Herod’s Palace, located near the Tower of David, was one of the most magnificent structures in ancient Jerusalem. 2. Herod the Great built it from 25-10 BC. The palace was renowned for its grandeur and luxury. 3. The palace complex included two main buildings with banquet halls, baths, and gardens, all surrounded by impressive fortifications. 4. It served as the administrative center of Herod’s rule and later as the residence of Roman governors, including Pontius Pilate. 5. The Tower of David and Herod’s Palace were part of the same fortified area, with the palace located just to the west of the citadel. 6. Excavations have uncovered parts of Herod’s Palace near the Tower of David, providing valuable insights into the period's architectural and historical context. 7. The Kishle and King Herod’s Palace offer fascinating glimpses into Jerusalem’s layered history, from ancient times through various periods of conquest and rule. If you visit the Tower of David Museum, you can explore these areas and learn more about their historical significance. Faith Lesson from the Tower of David and Herod's Palace 1. The stones here cry out that God’s Word is true and is verifiable through the fulfillment of many prophecies. What about us? Do we see that written all over the history of Jerusalem and Israel are fulfilled prophecies from the Bible? Does this increase our faith and confidence in the Bible? 2. A famous statement about Jerusalem, which is a sad but very true, says, “The Jerusalem Stone, so resilient and supple, bows to the transient follies of humankind, bearing a testimony like a hundred witnesses, and yet, remains silent.” What about us? Do we understand that disobedience to God only results in folly and destruction? 3. We find in all that has happened to the Jews a powerful and sobering message for us today. Obedience brings God’s blessings, but disobedience brings His discipline. 1 Corinthians 10:11–12: Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. What about us? are we enjoying God's blessings or His discipline? Do we realize His discipline is for our own God to draw us out of destruction and into His blessings and life?

If you want an in-depth Bible-centered trip and see more holy sites in Israel than other tours, then this trip is designed for you. Holy Land Trips Final Payment Secure Payment Link Holy Land Trip Final Payment To complete your final deposit payment, please send $1,950 by credit card, PayPal, or check. Payment can be made for more than one person if needed. If paying by credit card or PayPal, a 4% fee is added to your total amount due to fees charged by the credit card and PayPal providers. If paying by credit card or PayPal, click the button below. PayPal does not require you to create a PayPal account to use your credit card. $1,950.00 Final Payment Payment can be made for more than one person if needed. If paying by check, please send your check to the following address: Holy Land Site (Make checks payable to: Holy Land Site) 6945 Burnett St., SE Salem, OR, 97317-5202 (Using regular mail is preferred as there's not always someone available to sign for certified mail).

If you want an in-depth Bible-centered trip and see more holy sites in Israel than other tours, then this trip is designed for you. Holy Land Trips Final Payment Secure Payment Link Holy Land Trip Final Payment To complete your final deposit payment, please send your payment of $1,450 by either credit card, PayPal, or check. The payment is set up for single and double payments. Just select the one that applies to you. If paying by credit card or PayPal, a 4% fee is added to your total amount due to fees charged by credit cards and PayPal. If paying by credit card or PayPal, click the button below. PayPal does not require you to create a PayPal account to use your credit card. Please refresh your browser before paying for latest button updates. Single Person Payment $1,450 Double Person Payment $2,900 If paying by check, please send your check to the following address: Holy Land Site (make check payable to this name, please) 6945 Burnett St., SE Salem, OR, 97317-5202

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Christ's Miracle of the Feeding of the 5,000 is an amazing event. See where it happened, where Christ walked on water, calmed the storm, and taught His disciples. Tiberias, Mount Arbel, Magdala, Ginasor, Gennesaret, Tabhga, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Gamla, Kirsi, Feeding the 5,000, Yardenit, and more. Feeding the 5,000 Photo Gallery Places of Interest Feeding the 5,000 Introduction Welcome to the believed location where Jesus Fed 5,000 people. This is a major event from the Bible that took place here. Here are the highlights. 1. This was an amazing miracle where Jesus miraculously fed a huge multitude with five loaves of bread and two fish. 2. Scripture says there were 5,000 men, not counting women and children. This means there could have easily been 15,000 to 20,000 people present. 3. He had them sit on the grass in groups of 50. This shows how this location could accommodate a large multitude. 4. We'll explain why we believe this is the best location for this astounding miracle. Location 1. The traditional site of this miracle is at Tabgha, located on the northwestern side of the Sea of Galilee. 2. However, this miracle most likely occurred on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, a short distance south of Bethsaida. 3. Scripture says Jesus and His disciples were headed to Bethsaida, a desolate or deserted place (Mark 6:31; Luke 9:10). Tabgha is in a very populated area and on the opposite side of the sea from Bethsaida. 4. The large population area was from Tiberias to Capernaum (the northwestern side). The deserted area was on the northeastern and eastern sides of the sea. 5. Bethsaida was a small fishing village and was about the only town on the northeastern side of the sea. 6. Immediately after feeding the 5,000, Jesus ordered His disciples to cross over to the other side of the sea (Matt. 14:22). Scripture says He first sent them to Bethsaida; then they were headed to Capernaum, and they finally wound up at Gennessaret (Ginosar). 7. A strong storm arose while the disciples were crossing over to the other side. Jesus walked on water (Peter also attempted to), and Jesus calmed the storm. 8. The storm seems to have changed the course of their destination, as Scripture says that they ended up arriving in the area of Gennesaret (Matt. 14:34–36). 9. Gennesaret is located on the northwestern side of the sea, the area where most of the population resides. 10. Gennesaret is less than 2 miles (3 km) south of Tabgha. If the miracle happened at Tabgha, going from Tabgha to Gennesaret wouldn’t have crossed over the other side of the sea, as both towns are nearby. 11. After Christ arrived at Gennesaret, many heard he had arrived, and a large multitude gathered for healing. If Christ had just been in the area of Tabgha, it wouldn't make sense that a large crowd would gather again right after Christ had just been there. 12. From the location of the feeding of the 5,000, the disciples headed toward Bethsaida and Capernaum (Mark 6:45; John 6:16–17). Therefore, they had to be south of Bethsaida enough to travel in that direction by boat. 13. For these reasons, we believe the best biblical location for the feeding of the multitude is just south of Bethsaida in this open, flat area. It seems to fit the text and the geography of the land best. Historical Background 1. This miracle happened just after Jesus had sent out the 12 disciples to preach and heal throughout Israel (Luke 9:1–9). 2. You would think that after being used so mightily by God, the disciples would have had more faith. 3. It also took place just after the death of John the Baptist (Matt. 14:1–12). 4. Jesus and His disciples were headed to the remote area of Bethsaida to rest after the long ministry period they had just finished (being sent out two by two, preaching and healing). Luke 9:10–11: On their return, the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida . Mark 6:30–32: The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 5. However, instead of resting, a huge ministry opportunity awaited them. Mark 6:33–34: Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 6. Scripture mentions that 5,000 were fed, not including women and children. This means there could easily have been 15,000 people or more present. Places of Interest (Please See Maps Above) 1. Bethsaida 2. Tabgha 3. Gennesaret 4. Tiberias 5. Feeding of the 5,000 location. 6. Likely place they arrived and departed with their boat. 7. Mountain upon which Jesus prayed after the feeding of the 5,000. 8. Desolate side of the Sea of Galilee. 9. Populated side of the Sea of Galilee. 10. Sea of Galilee Feeding the 5,000 in the Bible 1. Feeding the multitude Luke 9:10–11: On their return, the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. Luke 9:12–17: Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, "Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place." 13 But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people." 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each." 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. 2. Interestingly, there were twelve baskets. This was no accident, as there were 12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles. 3. This miracle is similar to what Elisha did in the Old Testament. 2 Kings 4:42-44: A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” 43 But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” 44 So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord. 4. After feeding the multitude, the people try to force Jesus to be their king. John 6:15: Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king , Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. 5. Jesus went up on a mountain to pray. Matthew 14:23: And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray . When evening came, he was there alone. 6. Jesus sent His disciples to the other side of the sea. Matthew 14:22: Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. Mark 6:45: Immediately, he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida , while he dismissed the crowd. John 6:16–17: When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum . The summary of these verses indicates that they were headed west to the other side of the sea. 7. Jesus sends a strong storm. Matthew 14:24: But the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. Mark 6:48: And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. John 6:17–18: It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 8. Jesus comes to the disciples, walking on the sea. Matthew 14:25: And in the fourth watch of the night [3:00–6:00 am] he came to them, walking on the sea. John 6:19: When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat. 9. The disciples become terrified. Matthew 14:26: But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified , and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear . 10. The emotional state of the disciples: They were already exhausted from their ministry of being sent out two by two. They had a long day of ministry. They rowed all night in a state of panic and desperation. They missed a night of sleep. It was still dark, so it was probably around 4:00 am. They feared for their lives. They were alone. It was dark. They were terrified when they saw Jesus walking on the sea. 11. Jesus speaks to the disciples. Matthew 14:27: But immediately Jesus spoke to them , saying, "Take heart; it is I [I AM, in Greek]. Do not be afraid." 12. Peter walks on the water for a moment. Matthew 14:28–31: And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come. "So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 13. Jesus calms the storm. Mark 6:52: And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased . And they were utterly astounded. 14. The disciples worship Jesus as Lord and Messiah. Matthew 14:32–33: And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him , saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." This miracle was a major turning point in the disciples' lives. The deity of Jesus was now deeply embedded in their hearts and lives, and they would never be the same. 15. Jesus and the disciples miraculously arrive at the other side of the sea at Gennesaret. Matthew 14:34: And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret . John 6:21: Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. 16. After already being exhausted and missing a night's sleep, they had more ministry awaiting them. Matthew 14:35–36: And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. Faith Lesson from Feeding the 5,000 1. The disciples should have had more faith after God used them mightily to preach and heal many people. What about us? Do we lack faith after seeing all God has done for us and others? 2. The crowd later approached Jesus to make Him King. However, Jesus rebuked them because they were just seeking what He could do for them and weren’t interested in true discipleship. Do we tend only to want God’s blessings but no discipleship, sacrifice, suffering, or persecution? 3. Like the crowd Jesus fed, today, many people come to God for help and want to be fixed up. However, they don’t want Christ to be the Lord of their lives. Do we embrace the lordship of Christ, or do we just want our problems solved and then continue living as we please? 4. God also cares for our spiritual needs and likens Himself to spiritual bread. Are you laboring for the bread that endures to eternal life, or are you more focused on temporary things that will soon fade away? 5. Are we feeding our souls daily with God’s Word and the Bread of Life? John 6:35: Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never become hungry, and the one who believes in me will never become thirsty.” Matthew 4:4: It is written, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Overview of Jerusalem's history during the Byzantine Period (313- 614 AD in Jerusalem. Filmed at the Jerusalem model at the House of Caiaphas (St. Peter in Gallicantu), Jerusalem. Jerusalem During the Byzantine Period Photo Gallery Places of Interest Jerusalem During the Byzantine Period 313 - 614 AD Introduction 1. Welcome to a Jerusalem many visitors never see. We often picture this city in the days of King David or Jesus. Here we can see what happened several centuries after Jesus, when great churches became prominent features of its skyline. 2. Imagine pilgrims arriving after weeks or months of travel. They have heard the accounts of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Now they want to see the places where those events were remembered, worship with local Christians, and bring those memories home. 3. The Byzantine Jerusalem model at St. Peter in Gallicantu offers a fascinating view of the city several centuries after Jesus. 4. It helps explain an important chapter in Jerusalem’s history: the development of a major Christian pilgrimage center. It also helps visitors understand why many Jerusalem churches stand over the remains of earlier sanctuaries. 5. The reconstruction was completed in 2003 by archaeologist and biblical scholar Jacques Briend and architect and model maker Jean-Claude Marmorat. 6. Built at a scale of 1:200, it depicts Jerusalem before the Persian attack of AD 614. Its inclusion of Justinian’s Nea Church places the reconstructed scene after that church’s dedication in 543. 7. But keep the dates clear. Jesus did not walk past these Byzantine basilicas. They were built generations later to honor Him and preserve the memory of His ministry. The Gospel events came first; the churches followed. 8. As we explore, keep asking two questions: What does this building tell us about Byzantine Jerusalem? And what does the event it commemorates teach us about Christ?” Location 1. The model is on the grounds of St. Peter in Gallicantu, on the eastern slope of Mount Zion, south of Jerusalem’s present Old City walls. 2. It can be included in a visit to the site traditionally associated with Caiaphas’s house and Peter’s denial of Jesus. Historical Background 1. Jerusalem before the Byzantine Period Roman forces destroyed the Second Temple in AD 70. Elements of that Roman city remain visible today. Around AD 130, Emperor Hadrian gave Jerusalem the Roman name Aelia Capitolina and the region the name Palestinia. Aelia comes from Hadrian’s family name, Aelius. It honored the emperor. Capitolina refers to Jupiter Capitolinus, the chief Roman god associated with Rome’s Capitoline Hill. Together, the name expressed Jerusalem’s new identity as a Roman city honoring Hadrian and Jupiter. Palestinia refers to the Philistines. His intent was to erase any connection the Jews had to their ancestral homeland. Cardo Maximus Cardo Minor 2. The rise of Christian Jerusalem Constantine granted Christianity legal toleration in 313 AD with the Edict of Milan. After Constantine took control of the eastern empire in 324, imperial support helped establish important Christian sanctuaries in Jerusalem. The term Byzantine refers to the eastern Roman civilization centered on Constantinople. 3. Churches Built Over Several Centuries The model brings together buildings from different stages of the Byzantine period. Constantine’s Holy Sepulchre complex was inaugurated in 335. Holy Zion became a major basilica by the early fifth century. Eudocia supported building in Jerusalem during the fifth century. Justinian dedicated the Nea Church in 543. These structures later became memorials and places of worship; they did not stand during Jesus’ earthly ministry. 4. A City of Pilgrimage Pilgrims visited sites associated with Jesus, heard Scripture, joined worship, and carried their experiences home. Egeria’s late-fourth-century account preserves valuable descriptions of Christian worship in Jerusalem. The streets between the shrines were part of the pilgrimage experience. 5. Destruction and Transition Persian forces captured Jerusalem in 614 AD. Byzantine rule was briefly restored before the Muslim conquest around 638. These changes altered the city, although Christian communities and many traditions continued under subsequent rulers. 6. Understanding the Reconstruction A model combines evidence with interpretation. It helps explain relationships among buildings, streets, and terrain, but it cannot establish the precise appearance of every roof, house, or wall. Its strongest teaching value is the overall picture of late Byzantine Jerusalem. Places of Interest 1. The Cardos and the City Streets The Cardo Maximus (built by Hadrian in 135 AD) was the principal colonnaded north–south street. Its southern extension dates to Justinian’s period. It ran from the Damascus Gate south to what is now Zion Gate. The Cardo Minor (built by Hadrian in 135 AD) was another colonnaded north–south street. It ran from the Damascus Gate toward the Temple Mount and then south. The Decumanus Maximus Street. It ran east-west. These streets remind us that Jerusalem was a place of trade, work, and family life as well as worship. 2. The Temple Mount The Temple Mount underwent many changes. 70 AD ~ Temple destroyed. 135 AD ~ A false-god temple to Jupiter was built by Hadrian over where the original temple once stood. 330 AD ~ False-god temple to Jupiter torn down. Byzantines may have built a chapel in its place. 691 AD ~ The Dome of the Rock was built over the original temple site. 3. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre This complex commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. The Byzantine arrangement included the Martyrium basilica, the Golgotha area, and the Anastasis rotunda surrounding the tomb. The model makes their relationship easier to understand than the much-altered buildings visible today. 4. Herod/Pilate's Palace The place where Jesus was tried and condemned to crucifixion by Pontius Pilate. 5. Antonia Fortress A fortress on the northwest corner of the Temple Mount, used for protection. 6. The Church of Holy Zion Hagia Sion stood on the southwestern hill, near today’s Dormition Abbey and Upper Room. It preserved traditions associated with the apostles and the early Jerusalem church. It was built over the site of the Upper Room. The Upper Room is where Jesus celebrated the Passover Meal with His disciples and served as the early believers' headquarters for some time. 7. The Church of St Mary at the Sheep Pool This Byzantine church stands at Bethesda, north of the Temple Mount. Visitors to Bethesda today can see remains of earlier structures beside the Crusader Church of St. Anne. The church shown in the model dates to the earlier Byzantine period. John 5 records Jesus healing a man here who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 8. The Church of St John the Baptist South of the Holy Sepulchre, in the area now known as the Muristan, this church honors the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus. 9. The Church of Siloam At the city's southern end, this church commemorated the healing in John 9. The Byzantine sanctuary was associated with the upper pool near the outlet of Hezekiah’s Tunnel. 10. The Church of St Peter in Gallicantu (House of Caiaphas) This church sits on the eastern slope of Mount Zion, corresponding to the sanctuary grounds where the model stands. The sanctuary dates the first church here to approximately 457–460 AD. The site recalls Peter’s denial and repentance and preserves a tradition concerning Jesus’ appearance before Caiaphas. 11. The Nea Church The Nea, the New Church of Mary, the Mother of God, stood near the southern end of the main Cardo. Dedicated in 543 AD under Justinian, it was a monumental addition to Jerusalem. Its size and relationship to the street reveal the scale of imperial investment in the city. Excavated remains confirm that this great church was a real feature of Byzantine Jerusalem. Faith Lesson from Jerusalem 1. Let remembrance lead to faith and obedience. The model helps us understand how Christians remembered Jesus’ ministry. Our response should go beyond appreciating buildings. James 1:22 calls believers to put God’s Word into practice. As we visit the places connected with Scripture, we should ask how its teaching should shape our lives. 2. Repentance opens the way to renewed service. The Church of Gallicantu brings Peter’s failure into sharp focus. Yet John 21 shows that Jesus continued to work through him. We should take our sins seriously, confess them, and respond to Christ’s call to follow Him. 3. Keep the resurrection central. The Holy Sepulchre recalls the events Paul identifies as foundational to the gospel. Christian hope rests in Jesus’ victory over death. Buildings can be damaged and rebuilt; our confidence belongs in the risen Lord. 4. Practice the priorities of the early church. Holy Zion directs our attention to the Christian community described in Acts. Teaching, fellowship, generosity, the breaking of bread, and prayer should mark our congregations today. A visit to Jerusalem can encourage us to strengthen those habits at home. 5. Point others to Christ John the Baptist’s witness models ministry for us. Our teaching, service, and daily conduct should help others see who Jesus is. As we leave this miniature city, may we carry a clearer understanding of Scripture and a stronger desire to follow Him.

Sepphoris was a city nearby to Nazareth where Jesus likely worked as a carpenter as a young man. It was a sophisticated Roman city with all the luxuries of modern life. It included a network of colonnaded paved streets, markets, residential houses, public buildings, bathhouses, a theater, and a synagogue. After the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, Sepphoris became a center of Jewish learning and the seat of the Sanhedrin high court. The Mishnah (Jewish oral law), was first compiled here. Sepphoris (Tsipori, Zippori) Overview Photo Gallery Places of Interest Sepphoris Overview Location 1. Sepphoris is located about 4 miles (6 km.) northwest of Nazareth, about 14 miles (23 km.) from the Mediterranean Sea, and about 15 miles (25 km.) from the Sea of Galilee. 2. Because of its close proximity to Nazareth, it was easily accessible by Jesus and His earthy father, Joseph. Historical Background 1. The city started to grow during the 2nd Century BC under Greek rule. 2. Later, under Roman rule during the time of Christ, Herod Antipas (the son of Herod the Great) invested in it significantly and made it “the ornament of Galilee.” It was a sophisticated Roman city with all the luxuries of modern life at that time. It included a network of colonnaded paved streets, markets, residential houses, public buildings, bathhouses, a theater, and a synagogue. 3. Sepphoris rose to recognized status during the century before Christ because it was located right on one of the main trade routes linking Africa with Europe and Asia called "The Via Maris" (way of the sea). Therefore, it was a wealthy city. 4. It was also a military city guarded well by Roman troops. 5. Sepphoris was the capital of the Galilee area during the time of Christ. 6. In order to rebuild the city, Herod Antipas used a massive workforce. 7. Because Nazareth was so close to Sepphoris, and because Jesus was a Tekton (Greek for a construction worker of various types), Jesus and His early father, Joseph, undoubtedly worked here. 8. So, in part, it’s also where Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). 9. Because it was mainly a Jewish city, it was given its Hebrew name, Zippori, because it sits on a hilltop like a bird (Zippor). 10. Sepphoris is also known as the Mosaic City, as some of the best mosaics in all of Israel are found here. More than 40 mosaic floors reveal the bustling life of a Roman city and the luxury it afforded. 11. After Herod’s death in 4 BC, the Roman army put down a rebellion of Jewish rebels led by a man named Judas. These rebels numbering several thousand were killed; however, according to Josephus, 2,000 of them were kept alive to be crucified on its streets and close-by roads in the area. These mass crucifixions were carried out to instill fear in others who might consider rebelling against Roman rule. 12. Sepphoris did not join the Jewish rebellion in 66-70 AD and was therefore spared destruction. 13. After the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, Sepphoris became a center of Jewish learning and seat of the Sanhedrin supreme court. The Mishnah, the first authoritative collection of Jewish oral law, was compiled here. 14. Sepphoris witnessed Byzantine, Crusader, and Ottoman rule in the centuries following. Places of Interest (Please See Maps Above) 1. Park Entrance 2. Water source 3. Decumanus Street 4. Nile House with many mosaics 5. Cardo 6. Public building 7. Dionysus (god of wine) Building with mosaics 8. Fortress 9. Residential area 10. Theater 11. Synagogue Sepphoris in the Bible While Sepphoris is not mentioned in the Bible, it is significant for several reasons: 1. It was close-by to Nazareth and employed many carpenters. Because Jesus was a construction worker, it's very likely Jesus worked here before starting His earthly ministry. 2. After the death of Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, Christ became the chief financial provider for His family. Christ was very responsible in caring for His family and expects us to do the same. 2 Thessalonians 3:10–11: For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies John 19:26–27: When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. 3. It appears Jesus used references about this city in His teachings. Matthew 5:14–15: You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Sepphoris was certainly a city on a hill. In fact, that’s what the name of this city means. Matthew 6:2–4: Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you; they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. The word for actor in Greek is “hypocrite.” Because these actors would walk the streets sounding their horns to advertise an upcoming event at the city theater, Jesus used them as an example of what not to do when giving to others and serving God. 4. Jesus likely used the example of the mass crucifixion carried out by the Romans against the Jewish revolt here to teach about the cost of being His disciple. Mark 8:34–38: And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Christ taught about the cost of following him in several places during His ministry. In this account in Mark, He was teaching in the upper Galilee area at Caesarea Philippi, which is not far from Sepphoris. It's very likely that Christ’s audience would have personally witnessed the crucifixions here in Sepphoris or seen others. To the Jewish mind, Christ’s teaching would have sent a powerful and sober message of what Christ was asking of His followers. He was calling for total commitment, even commitment to death. Christ also used the imagery of crucifixion to teach us how we should daily crucify our personal desires that are contrary to God’s desires. Sepphoris was certainly an adulterous and sinful city that Christ probably referred to in Mark 8:38. Faith Lesson from Sepphoris 1. Jesus was a hard worker. Are we hard workers as well? 2. Jesus provided for His family after the death of His earthy father. He also took care of His mother’s future needs as He was being crucified. Do we provide and take care of our family members? 3. Jesus was undoubtedly good at what He did as a construction worker. Do we develop our skills to be good at what we do as well? 4. We should emulate Jesus in not only His spiritual side but also in His work ethic, work skills, and family responsibilities. 5. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man prior to His earthly ministry. Are we doing the same? 6. Jesus likely used Sepphoris as an example of how we should be lights on a hill. Are we letting our lights shine brightly, or are we dim lights to those who know and see us? 7. Jesus likely used the actors in Sepphoris who blew their loud trumpets as an example of what we should not do when we give and serve God. Do we serve for God’s glory alone, or do we serve for the praise and esteem of others?