See and experience an engineering wonder that happened over 2700 years ago. In order to save Jerusalem and its inhabitants, King Hezekiah orchestrated a tunnel that took the water from the Gihon Spring underground to the Pool of Siloam. This kept the water inside the city so the Assyrian army couldn't cut off their water supply and conquer them. Hezekiah's Water Tunnel Photo Gallery Places of Interest Hezekiah's Water Tunnel Location 1. Hezekiah's Water Tunnel, also known as the Siloam Tunnel, is a remarkable ancient water tunnel located in the southern part of the City of David in Jerusalem. 2. The City of David is located just south of the Temple Mount and is the original part of Jerusalem that existed before it was expanded over the centuries. 3. Today, Hezekiah's Tunnel is a popular archaeological site and tourist attraction, offering visitors the chance to walk through the ancient waterway. Historical Background 1. It was constructed during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah in around 700 BC. 2. The Bible mentions it in the context of preparations for an impending siege by the Assyrians, led by Sennacherib. 3. The tunnel was designed to transport water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam, effectively securing the city's water supply during the siege by preventing the Assyrian forces from accessing it. 4. The construction of this tunnel is considered an engineering marvel of its time, as it was hewn from solid rock. It measures approximately 583 yards (533 m.) long and has an altitude difference of 12 inches (30 cm.) between its two ends. 5. The historical significance of Hezekiah's Tunnel is also highlighted by the Siloam Inscription, found at the southern end of the tunnel. This inscription describes how two teams of workers, starting from opposite ends, met in the middle to complete the tunnel. This feat is detailed in the biblical passages of 2 Chronicles 32:2–4 and 2 Kings 20:20. Biblical Background 1. After the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms (Israel and Judah), God sent prophet after prophet to warn them to turn from their sinful ways and follow Him. However, all these warnings fell on deaf ears. 2. All the 19 kings who reigned in the northern kingdom of Israel did not follow the Lord and acted wickedly. 3. As a result, the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered and taken into captivity by 722 BC by the Assyrians because of Israel’s continual disobedience. 2 Kings 18:11–12: Then the king of Assyria carried Israel away into exile to Assyria, and put them in Halah and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, 12 because they did not obey the voice of the Lord their God , but transgressed His covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded; they would neither listen nor do it. 4. The Assyrian army was brutal and known for its torturous tactics. They intentionally instilled fear in the hearts of those they conquered to cause other countries to surrender instead of fighting. 5. By 701 BC, the Assyrians, headed by Sennacherib, invaded Judah, the Southern Kingdom of Israel, because they disobeyed God. 6. According to an Assyrian stele found in the ruins of the royal palace of Nineveh, Sennacherib conquered 46 cities in Judea before attempting to conquer Jerusalem. 7. God allowed most of Judah to be conquered but protected Jerusalem because of Hezekiah’s obedience to Him. 8. As Hezekiah began to prepare for what he knew would be a terrible siege by a merciless Assyrian war machine, he had to figure out how to protect his people. This meant building new defenses. 9. During the time of Hezekiah, Jerusalem’s urban population had grown far outside the old walls of the city and were unprotected. 10. King Hezekiah fortified the city's existing walls and built a new wall rapidly to protect those living outside them. 2 Chronicles 32:5: He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance. 11. Hezekiah’s new wall measured about 22 feet wide (7 m.) by 25 feet high (8 m.). 12. It was a massive undertaking and measured around 2.5 miles (4 km.) in length. 13. A portion of the wall was discovered in the 1970s by Israeli archaeologist Nahman Avigad and dated to the reign of King Hezekiah (716-687 BC). 14. Archaeologists called it “Hezekiah’s Broad Wall” because of how wide it is. 15. Additionally, King Hezekiah also built a water tunnel to keep the water from the Gihon Spring inside the city walls so the Assyrians couldn’t cut off the water supply (2 Chron. 32:3–4). Places of Interest 1. Hezekiah’s Broad Wall 2. Gihon Spring 3. Pool of Siloam 4. Hezekiah's Water Tunnel 5. City of David 6. Temple Mount Hezekiah in the Bible 1. King Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, was a wicked king. He closed the doors to the temple and burned his children in sacrificial worship to false gods. 2. King Hezekiah was a godly king who reopened the temple and restored worship to God. 2 Kings 18:3–6: And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. 4 He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). 5 He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. 6 For he held fast to the Lord. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses. 3. King Hezekiah chose not to serve the King of Assyria. 2 Kings 18:7: And the Lord was with him; wherever he went he prospered. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. 4. Sennacherib, the King of Assyria, conquered the southern part of Judah, including the mighty city of Lachish. King Hezekiah tries to keep him at bay by paying him money. 2 Kings 18:13–16: Now in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and seized them. 14 Then Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong. Withdraw from me; whatever you impose on me I will bear.” So the king of Assyria required of Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15 Hezekiah gave him all the silver which was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasuries of the king’s house. 16 At that time Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord, and from the doorposts which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria. 5. King Sennacherib makes plans to conquer Jerusalem. 2 Kings 18:17: Then the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rab-saris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah with a large army to Jerusalem. So they went up and came to Jerusalem. 6. King Sennacherib mocks King Hezekiah and the God of Israel. 2 Kings 18:32–35: And do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, “The Lord will deliver us .” 33 Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 34 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 35 Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’” 7. King Hezekiah humbles himself before God and sends for the Prophet Isaiah. 2 Kings 19:1–7: And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the Lord. 2 Then he sent Eliakim who was over the household with Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 3 They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and rejection; for children have come to birth and there is no strength to deliver. 4 Perhaps the Lord your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the Lord your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left.’” 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.” 8. King Sennacherib once again threatens King Hezekiah and speaks against the God of Israel. 2 Kings 19:9–12: So he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying, 10 “Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. 11 Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, devoting them to destruction. And shall you be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, the nations that my fathers destroyed.’” 9. Hezekiah seeks the Lord’s help. 2 Kings 19:14–19: Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15 Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands 18 and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. 19 Now, O Lord our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God.” 10. God answers Hezekiah’s prayer. 2 Kings 19:20–22: Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah saying, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.’ 21 This is the word that the Lord has spoken against him: ‘She has despised you and mocked you, The virgin daughter of Zion; She has shaken her head behind you, The daughter of Jerusalem! 22 ‘Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice, And haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel!’” 2 Kings 19:32–34: Therefore, thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, “He will not come to this city or shoot an arrow there; and he will not come before it with a shield or throw up a siege ramp against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same he will return, and he shall not come to this city, declares the Lord. 34 For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.” 11. God miraculously destroys King Sennacherib and his army. 2 Kings 19:35–37: Then it happened that night that the angel of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men rose early in the morning, behold, all of them were dead. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and returned home, and lived at Nineveh. 37 It came about as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place. Faith Lesson from the Life of King Hezekiah 1. Even though Hezekiah had a wicked father, he chose to serve the Lord. What about us? Do we realize that no matter what our background might be, and the parents we have, God can still use us greatly if we yield ourselves entirely to Him? 3. King Hezekiah was extremely dedicated to God. 2 Kings 18:5–6: He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. 6 For he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses. What about us? Do we show the same kind of dedication to God? 4. King Hezekiah trusted in God during times of great trials. What about us? Do we trust God during the trials He send us? 5. God blessed and protected him because of his faith and dedication to Him. What about us? Do we realize that God will bless us too if we stay faithful to Him? 6. He worked hard to fortify the old walls, built a huge new wall, and protected the water source of the city. All this was good, but not needed, as God supernaturally protected Jerusalem because Hezekiah trusted in the Lord. What about us? Do we realize that we can do everything we can think of to protect ourselves, but it's ultimately God who is in control? 7. King Hezekiah lived the kind of life God blesses. What about us? Are we following his example?

The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem: This is a place that has an ancient tomb and rock face that looks like a skull. Some believe it's the site of Golgotha. Gordon's Garden Tomb Lecture by Archaeologist Gabriel Barkay (details about the Garden Tomb start at the 37:00 mark of the video) This lecture is from 2009. Since then, the walls of Jerusalem have been identified. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was clearly outside the city walls during the time of Jesus. Photo Gallery Places of Interest Garden Tomb Location 1. Gordan’s Garden Tomb is located just 250 yards (220 m.) to the north of the Damascus Gate of Old City Jerusalem. 2. The evidence is overwhelming that the Garden Tomb is not the authentic site of Golgotha. However, it does provide a serene setting in a garden-like place where many go to meditate and reflect upon the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. 3. Some consider it the location of Golgotha, but again, the evidence clearly points to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the true site (see below for why). Historical Background of the Garden Tomb 1. The property of the Garden Tomb was purchased in 1894 by The Garden Tomb Association. 2. It is a Charitable Trust based in the United Kingdom and comprises people from many different denominations and national backgrounds. 3. Their passion is to help people understand all Christ did for them on the Cross. 4. The site is maintained by volunteers who come from around the globe and join a team of local Arabs and Israelis. Places of Interest 1. Garden Tomb ~ The tomb is from around 800-700 BC. It is an Old Testament tomb in the area of an Old Testament graveyard. It is not from the time period of Christ. 2. Rock-cut Channel ~ At the entrance of the tomb is a rock-cut channel that appears to be where a stone could be rolled to cover and uncover the tomb. However, the channel is not from the time of Jesus. Archaeological and historical evidence shows that the channel was cut during the Crusader period, most likely between 1100 and 1200 AD. 3. Rock-face Cliff ~ In the area of the Garden Tomb is a rock-cut cliff that has the faint appearance of a human skull. Today, is very difficult to see the face, but older photos show it more clearly. This shape has been given as evidence for the Garden Tomb as being the place of Golgotha. However, over the past 50 or so years, its look has undergone dramatic changes. In fact, it now bears hardly any resemblance to the look of a skull. That's why the Garden Tomb has a photo of it posted for all to see. Imagine how this shape has likely changed over the past 2,000 or so years, with all the wars, rain, erosion, and other natural forces that have affected it. As mentioned, today, it hardly resembles a skull. When Scripture mentions this site, it doesn't necessarily refer to a natural shape, but is more likely to refer to a place where crucifixions took place. Therefore, the natural formation at the Garden Tomb is weak evidence and shouldn't be a major factor in determining the true site of Golgotha. This shape could have looked entirely different during Jesus' time. 3. Damascus Gate 4. Old City Jerusalem 5. Church of the Holy Sepulchre Evidence for Why the Garden Tomb is Not the Authentic Site of Golgotha After extensive research, we have come to a firm conviction that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the true site of Golgotha. While we understand that some may disagree, here is the evidence that supports our conclusion. 1. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was outside the Old City Walls of Jerusalem during the time of Christ. While the staff at the Garden Tomb are gracious, they lead you to believe that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was located within the Old City Walls of Jerusalem during the time of Christ, making it unlikely to be the site of Golgotha. This is false. The wall that now encompasses the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was added about 10 years after Christ. Historical records, archaeology, and eyewitness accounts all reveal this as factual. This later wall was incorporated into the city shortly after the time of Christ by Herod Agrippa (AD 41-44). This is also supported by records of Flavius Josephus, a 1st-century Roman historian. Many eyewitness accounts and writings (Origen, Melito of Sardis, Eusebius, and Jerome) clearly affirm the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the location of Golgotha (we will elaborate on this further below). 2. The Garden Tomb is an Old Testament tomb, not a new tomb from the 1st century (time of Christ), as described in the Gospels. Scripture clearly states that Jesus was laid in a new tomb. "And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb , which he had cut out in the rock" Matthew 27:59-60). The problem with the Garden Tomb is that it's situated within an 8th-century BC grave complex. It follows all of the known patterns of 8th-century BC tombs and breaks all the patterns of known 1st-century tombs. In short, it’s from the wrong era to be Christ’s tomb. This determination is based on the plan and characteristics of its rooms, the type of chisels used to excavate the tomb, the artifacts found inside, and other relevant factors. Thus, it does not qualify as a "new tomb" of the first century. 3. Scripture clearly teaches that one had to bend over or stoop down to see and enter Jesus' tomb. So Peter and the other disciple left, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead, faster than Peter, and came to the tomb first; and he stooped [NASB, ESV, NKJV] bent over [NIV, KJV] to look in, and saw the linen wrappings lying there; however he did not go in (John 20:3-6). The problem with the Garden Tomb is that you walk up to it and enter. You don't stoop down or bend over to enter or see it. 4. Golgotha was near Old City Jerusalem Scripture states in John 19:20 that the place of crucifixion was near the city of Jerusalem, so this place fits the biblical narrative well: Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin and in Greek. The Garden Tomb would have been much farther away than the location of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 5. During the time of Christ, there was a gate to Jerusalem called the Gennath Gate, which means Garden Gate. This gate was discovered recently. It is in a slightly different location than the Jerusalem model, which was built before the gate was discovered. Josephus also mentions this gate in his historical writings. There was a road that passed by the stone quarry, serving as a route for travelers entering and leaving Jerusalem. Because the quarry had fallen out of use many years before Christ, it gradually developed into a garden, with a cistern and pool of water nearby. Some of the rock was left, and the Romans crucified people upon it. This rock can be seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre today. It was an ideal place because it was just outside the city and located on a well-traveled road. The Romans crucified people in the most visible places possible so all would learn what would happen to them if they disobeyed Roman laws. There were also tombs in the rock faces that were used for burials. Substantial remains of the First Wall have been found in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. In these latter excavations, the remains of the Gennath (Garden) Gate and the beginning of what is believed to be the Second Wall have been found, just where Josephus described them as being (cf. War 5.146). The name "Garden Gate" indicates that a garden must have been located nearby. However, this garden wasn't like a flower garden; it was a farming garden for raising crops. Excavations below the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer reveal that this area was once an ancient quarry, which was later abandoned. A layer of new farming soil has been discovered under the Church of the Redeemer, indicating that it was once a garden area. The excavators believe that the area was filled with fertile soil, presumably to transform the unsightly quarry remains into a small farming garden. An additional area near the rock quarry was converted into a cistern as the city expanded. From the Gospels, we know that Jesus was crucified in a place called "Calvary" and buried in a garden that was in the same place as Joseph of Arimathea's tomb. The front wall of the tomb faced east, allowing the early morning sun to illuminate it. According to Hebrews 13:12, Jesus was crucified outside the city. Some people have a problem with the proximity of the place where Jesus was crucified and his tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. However, John 19:41 states, "Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid." So, Scripture clearly indicates that the crucifixion and the tomb were close to each other. 6. The burial tomb at the Garden Tomb has a channel where a large round rock was rolled to cover the tomb. These kinds of tombs were only used by people of royalty. Those who could afford burial cave tombs had smaller square-like stones to cover the tombs. 7. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has 2,000 years of continual historical, archaeological, and eyewitness history confirming it as the site of Golgotha. The Garden Tomb has no such history. Historical Background of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre 1. 1000 ~ 400 BC The place of Calvary was once a stone quarry that supplied stone for the building of the temple and so forth. 2. 4 BC ~ 33 AD During Christ's time, there was a gate to Jerusalem called the Gennath Gate, which means garden gate. This gate was discovered recently. It is in a slightly different location than the Jerusalem Model located at the Israel Museum, which was built before the gate was discovered. Josephus also mentions this gate in his historical writings. There was a road that passed by the stone quarry, serving as a route for travelers entering and leaving Jerusalem. Because the quarry had fallen out of use many years before Christ, it gradually developed into a garden, with a nearby cistern and pool of water. Some of the rock was left, and the Romans crucified people upon it. This rock can be seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre today. It was an ideal place because it was just outside the city and located on a well-traveled road. The Romans crucified people in the most visible places possible so all would learn what would happen to them if they disobeyed Roman laws. There were also tombs in the rock faces that were used for burials. Scripture states in John 19:20 that the place of crucifixion was near the city of Jerusalem, so this place fits the biblical narrative well: Therefore, many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and in Greek. Substantial remains of the First Wall have been found in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. In these latter excavations, the remains of the Gennath (Garden) Gate and the beginning of what is believed to be the Second Wall have been found, just where Josephus described them as being (cf. War 5.146). The name "Garden Gate" indicates that a garden must have been located nearby. However, this garden wasn't like a flower garden; it was a farming garden for raising small crops. Excavations below the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer reveal that this area was once an ancient quarry, which was later abandoned. A layer of new farming soil has been discovered under the Church of the Redeemer, indicating that it was once a garden area. The excavators believe that the area was filled with fertile soil, presumably to transform the unsightly quarry remains into a small garden for farming. An additional area near the rock quarry was converted into a cistern as the city expanded. From the Gospels, we know that Jesus was crucified in a place called "Calvary" (also called Golgotha) and buried in a garden that was in the same place as Joseph of Arimathea's tomb. The front wall of the tomb faced east, allowing the early morning sun to illuminate it. According to Hebrews 13:12, Jesus was crucified outside the city. Some people have a problem with the proximity of the place where Jesus was crucified and his tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. However, John 19:41 states, "Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid." So, Scripture clearly indicates that the crucifixion and the tomb were close to each other. 3. 33 ~ 135 AD According to historians Eusebius and Socrates Scholasticus, the Christian community of Jerusalem held worship services at the site from shortly after the resurrection of Jesus until 66 AD. Additionally, according to tradition, the early Christian community of Jerusalem venerated the site of the crucifixion from the time of the resurrection until 135 AD, when Emperor Hadrian destroyed and rebuilt Jerusalem. Visiting the burial sites of rabbis was a common practice that is still done to this day by the Jews. Therefore, it is clear that the early Christians would have visited the place where Christ died and rose again as well. No one was like Jesus, so His followers knew exactly where Golgotha was and venerated it. There is no way this spot would have been lost or forgotten by them. For example, shortly after the resurrection of Christ, the Upper Room was converted into a church, and the apse (which is a half-round circle with a dome shape) pointed toward the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection place of Christ (where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located today). This provides significant evidence that this place was venerated and visited early on after Christ's resurrection. Because this place was so important, the apse of the Upper Room Church pointed toward it and not the temple. Another interesting fact is that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre also contains burial tombs that date back to the time of Christ. They are of the type that were used from about 37 BC to around 70 AD. These tombs clearly indicate that this area had tombs and was outside the City of Jerusalem during the time of Christ, as regular people were not buried within the city. Lastly, during this period, from the time of Christ to 132 AD, a carving with an ancient Latin description was found here. It says, "Yes, Lord! We will go." This shows that early Christians venerated this place. 4. 41 ~ 44 AD About 10 years after the crucifixion of Christ, a wall was built by King Agrippa I that enclosed the area of Christ's execution and burial within the city. This accounts for why the Holy Sepulchre is located inside the Old City walls of Jerusalem today. 5. 132 ~ 135 AD The next major event that affected the site of the crucifixion and tomb of Christ was a major Jewish rebellion against the Romans called the Bar Kokhba revolt around 132 AD. Due to the revolt, the Roman Emperor Hadrian destroyed much of Jerusalem and altered its orientation. He renamed the city Aelia Capitolina and the country to Palestine. Aelia is derived from the emperor’s family name, and Capitolina refers to the cult of the Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva). Palestine is a derivative of the Philistines. Hadrian's intent was to erase any connection the Jews had to their homeland. He desired to erase the Jewish connection to the land because of the Jews' continual rebellions and uprisings. He constructed a main street that ran north and south, called the Cardo Maximus (meaning "hinge" or "center axis"). He also desecrated the place of the crucifixion and resurrection that had been venerated by early Christians, and in its place, he built a large platform that filled in the quarry and erected upon it a large temple. Hadrian erected a statue of the Roman god Jupiter (equivalent to Zeus) over the tomb of Jesus, and a statue of Venus (equivalent to Aphrodite) over the site of his crucifixion. Hadrian was so intent on destroying any connection to the land by the Jews and the Christians that he buried all the evidence of the crucifixion and tomb of Christ under a platform that housed his large temple to Jupiter and Venus. Hadrian laid out the new City of Jerusalem so that the major streets led to his temple to Jupiter and Venus, which again were over the remains of the crucifixion and tomb of Christ. Coins have been discovered that depict the image of the temple that Hadrian built to Venus. 6. 160 AD The most compelling, and indeed the earliest witness to the local memory of the site of Jesus’ death and burial, comes through the testimony of Melito of Sardis. Melito was a very important figure in the history of the church, as he was the first to compile the Christian Canon of the Old Testament. In fact, he is the one who coined the term “Old Testament.” Melito affirms that the location of Golgotha was where Hadrian built a temple to the false god Venus. It is important to note that between 160 and 450 AD, six historians wrote about the location of the crucifixion site, and all of them place this event either under or in the vicinity of Hadrian’s Temple to Jupiter and Venus. 7. 185 – 254 AD Origen of Alexandria is also an eyewitness to the location of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the site of Golgotha. 8. 260 ~ 339 AD Eusebius, the bishop of Caesarea , Israel, provided a chronological account of the development of Early Christianity from the 1st century to the 4th century. He was an eyewitness to some of the events Hadrian did and wrote down what he saw. Regarding the desecration of the crucifixion and tomb of Christ, Eusebius says: "The Romans brought a quantity of earth from a distance with much labor and covered the entire spot and buried it. Then having raised this to a moderate height, they paved it with stone." What he described was the raised platform Hadrian built, upon which he erected his temple to Jupiter and Venus. This platform had retaining walls around it, some of which can still be seen inside the Church today. Additionally, some of the stairs leading up to the Temple of Hadrian can still be seen today in the lower part of the church to the east. Eusebius goes on to say, "The monument of his most holy passions so long ago buried beneath the ground." Here, he is describing the place where the crucifixion and tomb of Christ were buried. Hadrian also minted a coin depicting the temple he built upon Golgotha. Eusebius describes the destruction of Hadrian's temple by Constantine: "As soon as his [Constantine's] commands were given, these engines of deceit were cast down from their proud eminence to very ground and the dwelling places of error with the statues and the evil spirits which they represented were overthrown and utterly destroyed. Nor did the Emperor's zeal stop here, but he gave further orders that the materials of what was thus destroyed, both stone and timber, should be removed and thrown as far from the spot as possible, and this command also was speedily executed." Eusebius continues: "The emperor, however, was not satisfied with having proceeded thus far; once more fired with holy adjure, he directed that the ground itself should be dug up to come to a considerable depth and the soil which had been polluted by the foul impurities of demon worship transported to a far distant place. This was also accomplished without delay, and as soon as the original surface of the ground beneath the covering of the earth appeared, immediately the venerable and Holy Monument of our Savior's resurrection was discovered. Then indeed did the most holy cave [referring to the tomb] present a faithful similitude of his return to life and that after lying buried in darkness, it again emerged to light and afforded to all who came to witness a sight a clear and visible proof of the wonders of which that spot had once been seen, a testimony to the resurrection of the Savior clearer than any voice could give." Eusebius then speaks about the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that Constantine built: "Accordingly, on the very spot which witnessed the Savior's suffering, a new Jerusalem was constructed where at the side opposite to the Sepulcher [Jesus's tomb] which was the eastern side, the church itself was erected, a noble work rising to a vast height and a great extent in length and breadth." Eusebius now describes the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre by Constantine: "Thereupon the Emperor issued sacred edicts, and when he had provided an abundant supply of all the things required for the project, he gave orders that a House of Prayer worthy of God should be erected round about the cave of salvation [he is speaking about the tomb], and on a scale of rich and imperial costliness to be greater than anything else that had been built on earth." So Constantine built a large mausoleum over the tomb's location. A mausoleum is a structure designed for burial or entombment above the ground. The temple of Hadrian would remain in place for another 200 years or so until the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine. 9. 313 AD A major change happened in the Roman Empire when Constantine legalized Christianity. Later, because his mother was so passionate about Christ, she made a trip to the Holy Land to build churches over the main events of Christ’s life. She built the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Church of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives (currently known as the Pater Noster Church), the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Roman Emperor Constantine had the Temple of Hadrian, erected to Jupiter and Venus, demolished to make way for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. During the demolition process, the tomb and crucifixion site of Jesus were uncovered once again, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was subsequently erected. Additionally, Constantine's mother, Helena, is claimed to have discovered the relic of the Cross of Jesus at this time as well. The church was dedicated in 335 AD. The church was laid out in three sections: 1: Leading up from the Cardo was the church venerating the crucifixion site, also known as the Basilica of the Martyrium (taken from the word martyr). The apse of the church faced west. 2: The courtyard was called the triportico because it had three sides with covered walkways. Just outside the church, and before the mausoleum (with its rotunda dome), was an open courtyard. Just to the left was the crucifixion site of Christ. Now, I should mention that some believe the crucifixion site was located in the apse part of the Basilica of the Martyrium and not in the courtyard. However, the likelihood of the tomb's location and the crucifixion site being exactly aligned is unrealistic. It appears that the building was constructed in this manner for aesthetic reasons, rather than archaeological purposes. The remains of the rock of Golgotha are still preserved today and are located in the place where the courtyard once stood, not in the church itself, specifically in the apse area. 3: Just beyond the open courtyard was the large rotunda covering the tomb of Christ. This is also known as a mausoleum or anastasis. The tomb was initially carved out of the rock and preserved. You can see an example of this in Absalom's Monument in the Kidron Valley. The crypt, or cistern of the crosses, was under the Basilica of the Martyrium, venerating Golgotha. 10. 333 AD Another eyewitness account that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was located on the site of the crucifixion and tomb of Christ comes from the Pilgrim of Bardot: "On your left is a little hill of Golgotha where the Lord was crucified, about a stone's throw from it is the Crypt where they laid his body and from where he rose again on the third day. These are present by order of Constantine. There has been built a basilica that is a church of wondrous beauty." 11. 347 ~ 420 AD Jerome established a monastery at Bethlehem and translated the Old and New Testaments from Hebrew to Latin. Bethlehem is very close to Jerusalem, so Jerome was an eyewitness to the events he wrote about. Here's what Jerome tells us: "From the time of Hadrian to the reign of Constantine, the spot which had witnessed the resurrection was occupied by a figure of Jupiter while on the rock where the cross had stood a marble statue of Venus was set up by the heathen and became an object of worship. The original persecutors indeed suppose that by polluting our holy places, they would deprive us of our faith in the passion and in the resurrection." So Jerome confirms that from the time of Hadrian to Constantine, the temple Hadrian built was located on top of Golgotha. So, in the place where Christ died for the sins of humanity, Hadrian set up a temple to false gods who promoted deep immoral sins. What a contrast. 12. 380 AD A quote from another pilgrim's account of a worship service in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre states that: "I know you were eager to know about the services they have daily in the holy places, I shall tell you about them. When the first cock has crowed, the bishop straightaway enters and goes into the tomb and the anastasis [anastasis means resurrection and is the round rotunda dome place in the church over the tomb of Christ] and the whole crowd streams into the Anastasis which is already ablaze with many lamps. Then the bishop standing inside the screen takes the gospel and advances to the door of the tomb, where he himself reads the account of the Lord's resurrection. When the gospel is finished, the bishop comes out and is taken with hymns to the cross, and they all go with him to the great church, the martyrium. The people assemble in the great church built by Constantine upon Golgotha." 13. 400 AD Another amazing piece of evidence is found at the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana, which is recognized as the oldest place of Christian worship in Rome. In the apse of the building is a mosaic of Christ with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the background. So, we actually have an image of what Constantine's Church of the Holy Sepulchre looked like. This is strong evidence of the church's authenticity. 14. 550 AD In addition, more substantial evidence supporting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the true site of Golgotha is found in Madaba, Jordan. The Madaba Mosaic Map is part of a floor mosaic in the early Byzantine church of St. George in Madaba, Jordan. The map is of the Middle East, and part of it shows the oldest surviving original depiction of the Holy Land and Jerusalem. On the map of Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located in the center of the city. This reveals that the church existed and was venerated as the site of Jesus' death and resurrection by this time. 15. 614 ~ 638 AD The next significant change to the church occurred during the Persian conquest in , when it was pillaged and suffered significant damage. However, the monk Modestus restored it. According to tradition, the relic of the True Cross was also taken during this time and then recovered in 630 AD. In 638 AD, Jerusalem came under Muslim rule, but Christians could still make pilgrimages to the church. 16. 1009 AD The Muslim Caliph al-Hakim ordered all churches to be destroyed. This proved fatal for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which was singled out in particular and destroyed beyond recognition. During the destruction of the church, the tomb of Christ was largely destroyed. However, some of the rock of the tomb and its location were still preserved. 17. 1048 AD The Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos and Patriarch Nicephorus of Constantinople again restored the church at great expense. 18. 1112 ~ 1187 AD The Crusaders renovated the church in 1112 AD and reconsecrated it in 1149 AD. Much of what is seen today of the church dates back to the Crusader renovations around 1112 AD, although portions of the original church of Constantine remain. As 12th-century maps reveal, the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was the spiritual center of Christendom and its most important pilgrimage site. The church was laid out so pilgrims could move from chapel to chapel, culminating in the Holy Sepulchre itself. The church that the Crusaders built included the courtyard where Golgotha was believed to have been, and enclosed everything under one roof within a magnificent cathedral. The entrance to the church was relocated from the east end to the south side of the building. Stairs and a platform were built at the level of Golgotha so pilgrims could be at the same level where Jesus was crucified. This stairway and platform still exist today. The Basilica of Helena, accessed from stairs leading downward, was built. This is the place where Helena is believed to have found the true Cross of Christ. It was initially in a hole under the quarry. The entrance to Calvary was located outside the church, with stairs leading upwards to a platform where all the events of the crucifixion were depicted. The Basilica of the Martyrium was transformed, and all its contents were housed under the cathedral's roof. The apse of the church Constantine built for the crucifixion site faced west; today, it faces east. The sites of the crucifixion and tomb have remained in the same places since the time of Christ. Only the buildings around them have changed. An Edicule was built over Christ's tomb, and within it is the Chapel of the Angels, as well as what remains of Christ's tomb. The right-hand door was blocked up after the Muslim reconquest of the city in 1187. Today, the entrance consists of a single large door. The three primary custodians of the church were appointed when the Crusaders ruled Jerusalem. They are the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic churches. In the 19th century, the Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Syrian Orthodox also acquired responsibilities, albeit in a smaller capacity. Each church denomination agrees on the times and places of worship. A Muslim family has been given the key for opening and closing the church doors since 1187 AD, when Muslims seized control of Jerusalem. 19. 1808 After a fire, the last significant changes to the church took place around 1808 AD. The Edicule over the tomb was renovated. The central Catholicon was closed, which was once part of the courtyard of Constantine’s church. New stairs leading up to Calvary were changed from outside the church to inside. Today, you enter from just inside the church, turn right, and take steep stairs up to the platform of Calvary. The Edicule, or tomb of Christ, has been renovated several times since the Crusaders. It suffered an earthquake in 1927 and was subsequently shored up; then, in 2016, it underwent another renovation. 20. 2016 In 2016, when the marble slab over the traditional burial bench was removed inside the tomb of Christ edicule, researchers found the original limestone surface of the burial bed intact. Under the outer marble covering, they also found an older broken marble slab with a cross carved into it, resting directly on the limestone rock. This was important because many scholars wondered whether the tomb had been destroyed or moved over the centuries. 21. 2022 ~ Present In April of 2022, a stone slab was turned over during renovations, inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. They identified unique decorations on this stone slab that combine Classical, Byzantine, and early Islamic art, featuring finely cut tiles of colorful marble used to fill in circular engravings on the stone. The stone slab stood at the apex of the sanctuary in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This provides further evidence that this site has been revered for millennia as the actual location of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Recent excavations beneath the church floor revealed that the area was originally a limestone quarry, with quarry marks visible in the bedrock. The Israel Antiquities Authority's preliminary report states that the exposed bedrock shows evidence of intensive quarrying throughout the area. This is important because the Gospel setting makes sense archaeologically: Golgotha and nearby tombs would have been outside the city wall in a reused quarry area, not in the middle of a normal residential neighborhood. Archaeobotanical analysis found remains connected with grapes, figs, cereals, grasses, and possibly olive trees. This is striking because John 19:41 says that “in the place where He was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb.” The finds do not “prove the resurrection,” but they do show that the traditional Holy Sepulchre area really did have garden or agricultural activity before Constantine’s church was built. Conclusion 1. Based on all the above accounts, the true site of Golgotha should have evidence of buildings on and around it. The problem with the Garden Tomb is that it has none of this. There is no evidence of buildings or any other structures on or around it, and it was only discovered in 1883. The true site of Golgotha must have ruins on it. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre meets this requirement. 2. When attempting to find an authentic site, the best candidate is where one thing has been built upon another, dating close to the time of its beginning. Again, the problem with the Garden Tomb is that it lacks this, while the Church of the Holy Sepulchre does. Now, in archaeology, one of the most important factors in locating an authentic site is having one thing built upon another. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has around 2,000 years of such history. For me personally, there is no doubt this is the genuine place where Christ was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead to pay for our sins. All the evidence and historical writings from eyewitnesses provide overwhelming evidence that supports the authenticity of this site. Therefore, the true site of Golgotha should exhibit all the evidence of the buildings described in the eyewitness accounts, match the historical records and archaeological discoveries, and have these ruins visible to some extent today. There is only one place in the world that contains all this evidence, and it's the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The evidence is just so overwhelming that this is the true location of Golgotha. 3. Christians would not have forgotten where Golgotha was. There was no one like Jesus. The holiest site for Christians was marked out early and venerated. It has been venerated for 2,000 years and continues to be so today. The early Christians would not have forgotten where Golgotha was. The problem with the Garden Tomb is that it is based upon Christians forgetting this holiest event. 4. The rock face that resembles a skull at the Garden Tomb is weak evidence. The shape of the rock face at the Garden Tomb appears to be convincing evidence. However, over the past 50 or so years, its look has undergone dramatic changes. In fact, it now bears hardly any resemblance to the look of a skull. That's why the Garden Tomb has a photo of it posted for all to see. Imagine how this shape has likely changed over the past 2,000 or so years, with all the wars, rain, erosion, and other natural forces that have affected it. As mentioned, today, it hardly resembles a skull. When Scripture mentions this site, it doesn't necessarily refer to a natural shape, but is more likely to refer to a place where crucifixions took place. Therefore, the natural formation at the Garden Tomb is weak evidence and shouldn't be a major factor in determining the true site of Golgotha. This shape could have looked entirely different during Jesus' time. 5. What appears to be some motives regarding the Garden Tomb. It appears that part of the reason why evangelicals don't like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and favor the Garden Tomb has to do with theological reasons, rather than biblical, historical, or archaeological ones. They don't like the fact that it has a Catholic influence. However, it's only partly Catholic. Six different faiths claim ownership of it—Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Coptic, etc. Another reason they dislike it is its atmosphere. It's hard to picture what it would have been like during the time of Christ, and the ornaments and decorations may not have appealed to them. Due to the numerous adornments and constructions over the centuries, it is challenging to envision how the site would have appeared during the time of Christ. However, these 2,000 years of activity and tradition give greater weight to its authenticity. Some people have an adverse reaction to the atmosphere inside the church. However, this is what we should expect from a place that has been venerated for two millennia. We understand why most evangelicals don't like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and favor the Garden Tomb. However, if it's the truth we are looking for, then t he overwhelming evidence points to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre location as the true site of Golgotha. Final Thoughts 1. We also understand that many find significant meaning in the atmosphere of the Garden Tomb, which serves as a meaningful place to meditate on all that happened at Golgotha. We are in no way against this. We are just trying to be faithful servants who present the evidence for the truth. We wish the Garden Tomb God's richest blessings.

Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, Church of the Primacy of Peter. Place Jesus Restored Peter and met with the disciples after His resurrection. Sites of interest include: Church of the Multiplication, Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, beach close-by to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, Heart-shaped stones by the beach, Rock Monument with carved Cross and verse above Tabgha, Mount of Beatitudes Tabgha: Church of the Primacy of St. Peter Photo Gallery Places of Interest Church of the Primacy of St. Peter Restoration of Peter Introduction 1. Welcome to the place where the risen Jesus met with seven of His disciples and prepared them a breakfast of fish and bread after they had fished all night. 2. It was here that Jesus restored Peter to fellowship with Him and entrusted him to feed His sheep. 3. We'll see the very place, according to tradition, where Jesus and His seven disciples met. 4. We'll go down by the seashore and reflect on the miraculous catch of fish Jesus performed just before calling them to land to eat, and the restoration of Peter. Location 1. Tabgha is located on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee. 2. There are seven springs found in this area, which provide one of the best places for fishing around the sea. 3. Some of the springs provided warm sulfuric water that caused the fish to gather here. It was also used for health purposes, and many came from far away to find healing and relief in its waters. 4. Waters from these springs were also taken to nearby fields and villages via canals. Historical Background 1. The first church was built here around 350 AD by the Byzantines. 2. At the base of the current church, opposite the main altar, the foundations of the first church are visible. 3. In around 808 AD, the church was referred to as the Place of the Coals. This name refers to the incident in which Jesus prepared a meal for the apostles, building a charcoal fire on which to cook the fish. 4. Also first mentioned in the year 808 AD are the "Twelve Thrones", a series of heart-shaped stones, which were placed along the shore to commemorate the Twelve Apostles. 5. The church survived longer than any other in the area, finally being destroyed in 1263 AD. 6. The church today was built in 1933 and incorporated parts of an earlier 4th-century church. Places of Interest 1. Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. 2. Floor Mosaics As visitors step inside the church, they are greeted by a stunning display of mosaic decorations adorning the floor. These intricate designs showcase the diverse flora and fauna of the region in vibrant colors, creating an atmosphere of reverence and beauty. The most famous mosaic, located near the altar, depicts a basket of loaves flanked by two fish, serving as a powerful symbol of the miracle the church commemorates. 2. Mensa Christi (Table of Christ) The church features a limestone rock projection in front of the present altar, which is venerated as a "Mensa Christi," meaning the table of Christ in Latin. According to tradition, this is the spot where Jesus is said to have laid out a breakfast of bread and fish for the Apostles. 3. Statue of Jesus and Peter Inscription: "Feed My sheep." 4. Beach close to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. 5. Stones by the Beach Just outside the church are six heart-shaped stones placed along the shore. Because these stones serve no structural purpose in their current location on the beach, archaeologists and historians believe they were salvaged from the ruins of older buildings (such as abandoned synagogues) and deliberately placed on the shoreline by early Christians sometime between the 5th and 9th centuries AD. Even though there are only 6 stones, they are traditionally known as the "Twelve Thrones" and were placed there to commemorate the Twelve Apostles. 6. Outside the church, by the beach, there are some stairs cut into this rock by the church. It’s believed that someone carved these steps in the second or third centuries, which is why in the year 381 AD, Egeria visited this area and reported that, “next to the Church of the Loaves and Fishes, which is nearby, there are some stone steps where the Lord stood". 7. Ancient Boat Docks The beach is flanked by two ancient piers constructed from black basalt boulders. That proves that this was a fishing spot during the time of Jesus, and it was on these piers that fishermen would embark and disembark from their boats. Restoration of Peter The disciples had returned to their home towns on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem. 2. They undoubtedly felt very depressed, lonely, and as if their whole world had come to an end. 3. Their beloved Master had been crucified, and they were left wondering what would happen now. 4. They probably called into question how they had spent their past 3 ½ years following Christ. 5. Peter especially felt depressed and spiritually sick. He had denied Christ his Lord and Master three times after he had just moments earlier said he would follow Him even to death. Restoration of Peter in the Bible 1. After Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, the disciples went back to fishing like old times. John 21:1–3: Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberius. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee [James and John], and two other disciples were together [7 disciples in all]. 3 "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 2. Jesus appears to the disciples. John 21:4–14: Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. 6 He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread [in John 18:18 Peter denied Christ by a charcoal fire]. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153 [according to Hebrew alphabetics, this number meant “I Am God”], but even with so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish [same food as the feeding of the 5,000]. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 3. Jesus restores Peter. John 21:15–17: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.” 4. This encounter was like the first time Christ called Peter to be His disciple. Luke 5:1–11: On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word, I will let down the nets." 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish , and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. Faith Lesson 1. Peter’s original calling to be a disciple and his restoration follow the same miracle pattern. Christ did this on purpose because He wanted Peter to remember his roots and beginning. 2. Christ was the one who reached out to Peter and took the initiative to restore him. 3. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him 3 times because Peter denied Him 3 times. 4. God realizes we are human and make mistakes. 5. The main thing God looks for in restoration is a spirit of repentance and a contrite, humble heart. 6. Am I in need of restoration in some way? 7. Do I understand that God is more interested in my restoration with Him than I probably am?

Under the Convent of the Sisters of Sion lie ancient ruins going back before the time of Jesus. It is a gold mine of archaeology and insights into ancient Jerusalem. We'll tour this site and see the Struthion Pool, ruins of the Antonia Fortress, and what some believe is the stone pavement where Jesus was tried and condemned to crucifixion by Pontius Pilate. Sisters of Sion, Ecce Homo Arch, Antonia Fortress Photo Gallery Places of Interest Sisters of Sion, Ecce Homo Arch, Antonia Fortress Introduction 1. We are about to descend beneath the streets of Jerusalem into one of the most dramatic and mysterious places connected with the final hours of Jesus. It's known as the Lithostrotos, which means "Stone Pavement." It's believed by some to be the very place Jesus was tried by Pontias Pilate and condemned to crucifixion. We'll see what the evidence shows about this later. It's located beneath the Sisters of Sion, near the Ecce Homo Arch on the Via Dolorosa. 2. Here, hidden below the noise of the Old City, massive stone pavements, ancient cisterns, Roman arches, and the great Struthion Pool reveal layers of history buried beneath our feet. 3. For centuries, pilgrims believed this was the very place where Pontius Pilate judged Jesus and presented Him to the crowd with the words, “Behold the Man.” 4. Is this where Jesus was tried and condemned to crucifixion? Was this where the Antonia Fortress was located? What was this area like during the time of Jesus and later? And what about the Ecce Homo Arch? This area, just north of the Temple Mount, is vital to understand. It's one of the most important sites in Jerusalem. We'll be providing you with a understanding of this area so you can learn from its vital importance. We'll embark to uncover the fascinating evidence about the layout of this area in ancient Jerusalem. 5. As we walk on these ancient stones through these tunnels and rooms, we'll discover a story that is fascinating. We'll see a place where faith, tradition, Roman power, and archaeology all meet in the heart of Jerusalem. Location 1. The area we're going to focus on is located just outside the Temple Mount area on its northwestern side. 2. Today, Umariya Elementary School and the Sisters of Zion Convent lie atop much of their ruins. 3. We'll look at the key sites in this area and then descend down under the Convent of the Sisters of Zion. 4. Tradition places the Antonia Fortress as the beginning point of the Via Dolorosa, which means, painful path. Orientation to the Key Sites Now let's provide some orientation. As mentioned, this area, just north of the Temple Mount, is vital to understand as it's one of the most important areas in Jerusalem. Therefore, we want to orient you to all the key sites in this area. After this, we'll descend down under the Sisters of Sion Convent and explore ancient Jerusalem during the time before, during, and after the time of Jesus. Sisters of Sion Convent 1. The first place we'll look at is the Sisters of Sion Convent. As mentioned, later we'll be going underneath it and exploring it in-depth. But for now, we'll provide an overview of it. 2. The land was purchased in 1857 by Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne, a French Jewish convert to Catholicism who founded the Sisters of Zion to build bridges between Christians and Jews. The Sisters excavated the ruins and preserved them. 3. For centuries, Christians believed this area was the courtyard of the Antonia Fortress—the Roman military garrison where Pontius Pilate condemned Jesus. According to John 19:13, Pilate sat on his judgment seat at a place called the Lithostrotos (Stone Pavement), or Gabbatha in Aramaic. The arch outside the convent was believed to be the spot where Pilate presented Jesus, saying, "Ecce Homo" (Behold the Man). 4. The Archaeological Reality Modern archaeology (spearheaded by the brilliant Catholic archaeologist Father Pierre Benoit in the 1970s) proved that the stone pavement and the Ecce Homo arch actually date to 135 AD and was built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian a century after Jesus. Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as a Roman pagan city called Aelia Capitolina, and this area was his eastern public plaza marketplace. The Temple Mount 1. It was first built by King Solomon in around 967 BC and was a walled platform upon which the temple Solomon built would stand. The mountain was originally Mount Moriah, and in order to build the temple on it, had to be leveled. Solomon's original platform measured 500 cubits square (861 feet, 262.5 meters). 2. Later, the Hasmoneans added onto the southern part of the platform in around 140 BC. The addition lines can still be seen today. 3. Then Herod the Great enlarged the platform as well almost doubling its size. He enlarged it to the south, west, and north. The lines of his addition can also be seen today. 4. Exactly where the Dome of the Rock stands today is where the original temple once stood. The evidence for this is overwhelming. We have done videos about this. The Via Dolorosa 1. The Via Dolorosa, meaning “The Way of Suffering” or “The Sorrowful Way,” is the traditional route through Jerusalem’s Old City that remembers Jesus carrying the cross from His condemnation to His crucifixion. Today it begins inside where the Antonia Fortress once stood, and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christians have long identified the place of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. The route is marked by 14 Stations of the Cross—nine along the streets and five inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 2. Historically, the exact path has changed over time. Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, later rebuilt by Hadrian as Aelia Capitolina, and reshaped many times afterward, so the original first-century street route cannot be known with certainty. The Via Dolorosa as a Christian pilgrimage route developed mainly in the Crusader Period (1099 - 1260), especially through the work of the Franciscans, who were entrusted with care for many Holy Land sites and led pilgrims in devotional walks connected with the Passion of Christ. 3. The route followed today took on its modern form around the 18th century, replacing earlier versions. Because many scholars believe Pilate’s Praetorium was likely at Herod’s Palace near Jaffa Gate, not at the Antonia Fortress, the present route may not be the exact path Jesus walked. However, it remains one of the most meaningful Christian pilgrimage routes in the world because it allows believers to prayerfully remember the suffering, sacrifice, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus in the city where these events took place. Ecce Homo Arch 1. Most pilgrims know this arch by the words Ecce Homo, Latin for "Behold the Man." These words come from John 19:5, when Pilate presented Jesus to the crowd after the scourging and mocking. 2. For centuries, many Christians believed this arch marked the place where Pilate said those words. But archaeology tells us the arch itself was not standing in Jesus’ day. It was built later by the Roman emperor Hadrian, around 135 AD, when he rebuilt Jerusalem as a Roman colony called Aelia Capitolina after the Jewish revolts. 3. The arch was part of a triple-arched Roman gateway connected with Hadrian’s eastern forum or public plaza. The large central arch is the one visible today over the street, while part of one smaller side arch can still be seen inside the Ecce Homo Church. 4. It was a Roman monumental gateway, built to mark a main entrance into Hadrian’s new city center, displaying Roman power, order, and victory after Jerusalem had been destroyed and reshaped. Only later did Christian tradition connect the arch with the Passion of Christ and the words “Ecce Homo.” The Antonia Fortress 1. The geography of ancient Jerusalem dictated its defenses. While the city was naturally protected by steep ravines to the east, south, and west, the northern approach lacked natural barriers. Consequently, the northwestern corner of the Temple Mount was its most vulnerable point. 2. Following the Babylonian exile, a fortress called the Birah was constructed near this spot by Nehemiah in around 444 BC to protect the Second Temple on the Temple Mount originally built by King Solomon. 3. During the Hellenistic and Hasmonean periods (332-63 BC), the Jewish priest-kings built a heavily fortified tower known as the Baris. It housed a military garrison, protected the northern flank of the Temple Mount, and securely stored the sacred vestments of the High Priest. 4. When Herod the Great captured Jerusalem and secured his throne as the Roman client king of Judea in 37 BC, he recognized the necessity of controlling a volatile city that largely viewed him as an illegitimate ruler. He completely rebuilt and expanded the old Baris into a formidable, state-of-the-art military complex. When completed, it was a massive, strategically vital military citadel situated on a rocky escarpment at the northwestern corner of the Temple Mount. It stood as a towering symbol of military might and imperial control over the sacred heart of Judaism. 5. Herod named the citadel the Antonia Fortress in honor of his Roman patron and friend, the general and triumvir Mark Antony. Because Antony was defeated by Octavian at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC and died shortly after, the fortress was certainly built and named prior to that date. 6. Our primary source for the physical appearance of the fortress is the 1st-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. He recorded that it was built on a steep rock outcropping 50 cubits (23 meters) high, covered with smooth stone slabs to prevent scaling. 7. The citadel was rectangular and featured massive corner towers. Three were 50 cubits high (23 meters), but the southeastern tower was 70 cubits (32 meters) high. This specific tower offered a direct, unobstructed view down into the courts of the Temple Mount, allowing soldiers to monitor the massive crowds below. 8. Although built as an impregnable fortress, Josephus noted it was designed with the luxury of a palace, containing baths, broad courtyards, and barracks large enough to house a full Roman cohort. Subterranean passages and staircases connected the fortress directly to the northern porticoes of the Temple. Pools of Bethesda 1. The Pools of Bethesda are located just inside the Lions’ Gate, beside the Church of St. Anne, near the traditional beginning of the Via Dolorosa. In Jesus’ day, this area was near the Sheep Gate, where animals connected with Temple sacrifice may have passed, and the pools served as a large water and purification complex. 2. They consist of two pools, a northern and southern pool. The northern pool was built by King Hezekiah in around 700 BC, and the southern pool was built by the Hasmoneans in around 150 BC. They were living water pools nearby the Temple Mount for purification and water reservoirs. 3. The Gospel of John says that Jesus healed a man there who had been unable to walk for 38 years, and John describes the pool as having five porticoes. For many years, critics thought this detail was strange, but excavations revealed a large pool complex with two basins separated by a central wall, which helps explain the “five porticoes” description. 4. In the time of Jesus, the site had a northern pool used as a reservoir and a southern pool with steps, likely used as a mikveh, or Jewish ritual bath. The pools were famous in the time of Jesus and were associated with healing and purification. Pool of Israel 1. The Pool of Israel was once a huge open reservoir located just inside the Old City near the northeastern corner of the Temple Mount, close to today’s Lions’ Gate. It was one of Jerusalem’s largest reservoirs, measuring roughly 110 meters long, 38 meters wide, and about 24 meters deep, and it helped collect and store rainwater for the city and the Temple Mount area. It also likely functioned as a kind of defensive ditch or moat along the vulnerable northern side of the Temple Mount. It existed before the time of Herod the Great reigned over Israel (37 - 4 BC) but was refortified by him. Struthion Pool 1. It is also called the Sparrow Pool. Probably because it was the smallest of the pools on the northern side of the Temple Mount. 2. Before Hadrian covered it in 135 AD, it was an open-air pool or reservoir. It was connected with the water system north of the Temple Mount and the defensive area of the Antonia Fortress. 3. The pool is described as about 54 meters long and 14 meters wide, with a depth around 5 meters. It was originally an open-air reservoir, and Josephus refers to the pool called Struthion. 4. Hadrian later installed vaulting over it so his plaza could cover it. 5. The pool itself belongs to the late Second Temple-period (515 BC - 70 AD). The covering vaults above it are from the time of Hadrian in 135 AD. So, think of two layers: the Struthion Pool at the lowest level and Hadrian’s second-century Roman city on top of the Struthion Pool. 6. In summary, the pool was from the time of Herod and associated with the Antonia Fortress. Then, Hadrian covered it with two parallel vaults around 135 AD and built the paved plaza above it so it wouldn't be in the way of his plaza and gate entrance to the city. Church of the Holy Sepulchre 1. The church marks the spot of Golgotha, where Christ was crucified, buried, and rose again. The evidence supporting this is overwhelming. 2. It is where the Via Dolorosa ends. Five of the stations of the Via Dolorosa are located inside the church. Herod & Pilate's Palace 1. Herod's Palace Fortress, which later was used by Pontias Pilate, is located on the west side of Jerusalem just south of Jaffa Gate. It was built by Herod and consisted of two north and south palace wings with a large plaza garden in the middle. To the far north it had massive protective towers and to the far south, barracks for around 500 soldiers. Touring Underneath the Sisters of Sion Convent The Sisters of Sion has a total of 16 stations or places to see on their tour map. We will be following this route and seeing the highlights of the tour. 1. Descending Down in Time 1. As we descend down the stairs from the Sisters of Sion meeting area, we are traveling back in time. Jerusalem is a city built on a 'layer cake' of its own ruins. Every time the city was destroyed, the next empire built right on top of the rubble of the previous empire. This first lower level is from the time of Hadrian (135 AD). 2. Struthion Pool 1. Struthion is Greek for "sparrow"—likely a nickname because it was considered a smaller pool compared to the other pools in the area and the massive Temple Mount reservoirs. It was originally carved out around 140 BC by the Hasmonean kings and later expanded by King Herod. 2. Its purpose was to catch rainwater and provide drinking water for the Antonia Fortress, a massive Roman military barracks that stood right above it. But here is the catch: In the time of Jesus, this pool was open to the sky. It acted as a massive, open-air defensive moat for the fortress. If Jesus walked past the Antonia Fortress during his life, He would have seen the Struthion Pool, along with the other sites as well. 3. So, why is it in a dark cave today? Remember Emperor Hadrian in 135 AD? When he wanted to build his new paved marketplace (the forum), he didn't want a giant open pool in the middle of it. So, his engineers built these beautiful, soaring stone barrel-vaults right over our heads. He put a 'roof' on the pool, and then laid his stone plaza directly on top of it. At the far wall of the pool there is a cinderblock wall blocking the far end of the water. In 1970, Israeli archaeologists digging the famous Western Wall Tunnels accidentally broke through the rock into the Sisters of Sion side of the pool. That wall was built to divide the Sisters of Sion Convent's private property from the public tunnels. If you take the tunnel tour today, your grand finale is walking along the other half of this exact same body of water. 3. Lithostrotos (Stone Pavement) 1. We have now moved up one layer, standing on the "roof" of the pool. Welcome to the Lithostrotos, a Greek word meaning "The Paved Place." In the Gospel of John (19:13), it states: "When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha)." 2. When early archaeologists discovered these massive, beautiful flagstones in the 1800s, they fell to their knees. They were convinced they had found the exact courtyard of the Antonia Fortress where Jesus stood trial. 3. Take a look at the stones. Notice how massive they are. Notice the rough grooves carved into the rock by Roman stonemasons to keep horses and chariots from slipping on the wet stone. But here is the archaeological truth. Because these stones sit on top of the vaulted roof Hadrian built over the pool in 135 AD, these paving stones cannot be from the time of Jesus. They belong to Hadrian’s 2nd-century Roman forum. 4. Ceiling Over the Lithostrotos Under our feet are these massive stones that were those of Hadrian's large plaza built over the Struthion Pool, but what about the ceiling above us, when was it built? 1. After Hadrian's plaza was built over the Struthion Pool below us, Jerusalem was repeatedly besieged, leveled, and rebuilt by the Byzantines, Persians, Islamic empires, Crusaders, Mamluks, and Ottomans. 2. In ancient cities, it was too difficult to haul away heavy stone rubble. When buildings collapsed, new builders simply smoothed out the debris and built their new streets and homes right on top of the old ones. As a result, the street level of Jerusalem slowly rose by 4 to 6 meters. Hadrian's open-air pavement was swallowed up by tons of earth, debris, and the foundations of medieval buildings, completely disappearing from history. 3. In 1857, a French Jewish convert to Catholicism and Jesuit priest named Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne purchased a tract of ruined land along the Via Dolorosa. His goal was to build a church, an orphanage, and a convent. 4. When Ratisbonne's workers began digging deep into the debris to lay the foundations, they made an incredible discovery: they hit the ancient Roman paving stones of Hadrian's forum. At the time, Ratisbonne and early archaeologists mistakenly believed these stones were the biblical Gabbatha—the courtyard of the Antonia Fortress where Jesus was condemned by Pontius Pilate. (Modern archaeology in the 1970s conclusively proved this pavement actually belonged to Hadrian's 135 AD forum, but the spiritual tradition remains). 5. Believing he had found one of the holiest sites in Christianity, Ratisbonne ordered his architects to preserve the pavement exactly where it lay. However, he still needed to build a massive complex on top of it. 6. To protect the Roman pavement without destroying it, between 1858 and 1868, the builders constructed heavy stone pillars and a series of sturdy, arched stone vaults directly over the ancient plaza. 7. This new roof served a dual purpose: it created a protective subterranean crypt to showcase the Roman pavement, and it served as the heavy foundational floor to hold up the massive Convent of the Sisters of Zion and the Basilica of the Ecce Homo, which still sit above it today. 5. The "Game of the King" 1. On the floor is the 'Game of the King" also known as "Nine Men's Morris." The gameboard is etched several large stones in this area. There is also the faint circle radiating like a king's crown right beside it. Interesting, this game is still played today. 2. This is one of the most chilling artifacts in Jerusalem. This is a game board, carved by bored Roman soldiers while on guard duty. It is called the Game of the King. Roman soldiers played this with knuckle-bone dice. The winner was allowed to pick a condemned prisoner to be the mock "King." They would dress the terrified prisoner in a fake royal robe, put a makeshift crown on his head, give him mock orders, beat him, and at the end of the festival, execute him. Do you see the connection to this game and what was done to Jesus? 3. Even though these specific etchings date to a century after Christ, they were carved by the exact same type of Roman legionaries who occupied the Antonia Fortress. The Gospels tell us that Roman soldiers stripped Jesus, put a scarlet robe on Him, twisted together a crown of thorns, struck Him, and mocked Him, yelling, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 4. When you look at this game board, the mockery of Jesus is no longer just a story on a page. You are looking at the exact cultural and psychological reality of the Roman military machine that crucified Him. 6. Murial of Jesus and His Cross 1. Here we see Jesus carrying His cross. It provides a visual aid to help us realize what Jesus did for us all. He willingly went to the cross to die for our sins, rise from the dead, and give us eternal life in paradise with Him. 2. Even though Jesus did not walk at this level of ancient Jerusalem, some of the things under this floor were here when He was here. Was the Antonia Fortress Where Jesus was Tried? 1. Some believe Jesus appeared before Pilate here and was condemned to death by crucifixion. Others believe that Pilate’s Headquarters, also called Pilate’s Palace or Praetorium, was the place Christ appeared before Pilate. 2. If the stones of the Lithostrotos are from a century later, we have to ask: Where was the actual trial of Jesus? Where was Pilate's Praetorium? 3. For centuries, pilgrims assumed Pilate stayed right here at the Antonia Fortress, which is why the Via Dolorosa starts at the Antonia Fortress today. However, Roman history tells us a different story. Pontius Pilate usually lived in luxury on the Mediterranean coast in Caesarea. When he came to Jerusalem for Passover, he did not sleep in a sweaty, cramped military barracks with the common soldiers. 4. Historical records from ancient writers like Flavius Josephus and Philo indicate that Roman governors like Pilate did not stay in the cramped Antonia Fortress when visiting Jerusalem. They stayed in the most luxurious location in the city: Herod's Palace (located on the western side of the city near the modern Jaffa Gate/Tower of David). 5. So why do we walk the Via Dolorosa here, on the east side? Because faith and tradition are powerful. During the Crusader and medieval periods, the ruins of Herod's palace were repurposed, and pilgrim routes shifted based on safety and the locations of churches. The Franciscans finalized this route in the Middle Ages. The Via Dolorosa is a spiritual journey—a physical meditation on the Passion of Christ—not an exact GPS map. Was the Present-Day Temple Mount Once the Antonia Fortress? 1. Some believe that the Antonia Fortress encompassed all the current Temple Mount and that the original Temple Mount was in the City of David. However, Scripture clearly states that at the dedication of the temple that Solomon built, in 2 Chronicles 5, that the Ark of the covenant was brought, “out of the City of David ” to the temple. “Then Solomon assembled to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ households of the sons of Israel, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the City of David , which is Zion” (2 Chron. 5:2). 2. If the Ark was brought out of the City of David to the temple, then the temple couldn't have been in the City of David. There is also overwhelming historical and archaeological evidence, and the writings of the famous Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, that contradict the belief that the Antonia Fortress encompassed all the Temple Mount. This Area Around the Sisters of Sion in the Bible 1. The possibility that Jesus was tried in or by the Antonia Fortress, John 19:16. If this is the place, then it was here that Christ was condemned to crucifixion and was led away to Golgotha. This is monumental event in God's plan of redemption for humanity. John 19:16: “Finally, Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So, the soldiers took Jesus away.” 2. The Apostle Paul addresses a large crowd, Acts 21:31–40. After Paul was falsely accused of bringing Gentiles into the temple, an angry mob seized him, dragged him out, and tried to kill him. Roman soldiers from the Antonia Fortress quickly came down, rescued Paul, and carried him up the stairs into the barracks because of the crowd’s violence. As he was being taken inside, Paul asked permission to speak, and from the fortress stairs he addressed the mob in Hebrew. 3. Jesus healed a sick man at the Pools of Bethesda, John 5:1-17. While in Jerusalem for a Jewish feast, Jesus visited the Pool of Bethesda near the Sheep Gate, where many sick and disabled people waited for healing. There He saw a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years and asked if he wanted to be made well. Jesus then commanded him, “Get up, pick up your mat and walk,” and the man was immediately healed. Because this happened on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders opposed Jesus, but He answered that His Father was still working, and He too was working. Faith Lesson from the area by the Sisters of Sion 1. Jesus willingly chose to suffer a horrific death to pay for our sins. What about us? Are we grateful for what Christ has done for us? Have we repented of our sins and placed our trust in Christ for salvation? Are we right before the Lord and walking in obedience to Him? 2. Paul suffered at the Antonia Fortress for his faith. Are we willing to boldly proclaim our faith and suffer as a result if necessary? Paul shared his testimony often. Do we have our testimony memorized, and do we share it when talking to others about God? 3. The sick man whom Christ healed apparently was sick because of some sin in his life. What about us? Are we in danger of God's discipline in our lives because of sin we are clinging to? The sick man showed extreme perseverance in going to the Pool of Bethesda for 38 long years. Are we persistent in seeking the Lord, or do we give up easily?

Google interactive maps, video maps, printable maps, books, models, writings, teachings, and other maps and resources about the Holy Land. Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Negev, Dead Sea, Nazareth, Capernaum, Masada. Maps of the Biblical Sites Maps for Purchase Map of Israel Map of Jerusalem Satellite Poster of Israel In the Footsteps of Jesus Map Sea of Galilee Booklet & Map Via Dolorosa Booklet & Map Posters & Maps in General Maps for Viewing Map of the Holy Land During the Time of Christ Website with Many Maps of the Holy Land and Surrounding Areas Map of Abraham's Journey to the Holy Land Map of the Travel Locations of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph Travels of Moses and the Children of Israel Location of the 12 Tribes of Israel in the Holy Land Harmony of the 4 Gospels (Chronological timeline of events of the Life of Jesus) Biblical Sites for Christian Visitors Booklet Great Website for photos and info on the Holy Land

See all the outstanding major holy sites (over 55) in Israel, the Holy Land in 4K and with a Drone. Amazing, clear footage with a biblical overview of each site. See amazing and interesting facts about Israel, the Holy Land. Videos, maps, books, talks, archaeology, Bible teachings, history, walls, gates, people, and language of the people and places in Israel. Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, Masada, Negev, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Hebron, Shechem, Samaria, Jordan River, Beersheba, and more. Israel Overview Tour of All Biblical Sites Israel – God’s Chosen Land Israel . . . Land of the Bible . . . Land of Faith . . . the Holy Land, revered throughout recorded history as the cradle of monotheistic religion. For a person of faith whose beliefs are rooted in the Bible, there is no place on earth like the Holy Land. In this narrow strip of land lies the source of religious belief of much of mankind. Here, amongst the barren hills and fertile plains, man’s spirit learned to soar and from here a new message went out to all the world: “. . . and many peoples shall come, and say, “Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For out of Zion (Hill next to Jerusalem) will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3,4). The unique factor about the Holy Land is its special location in the World. Situated as it is, straddling the divide between Africa and Asia, the area has almost always been a battleground. Wave after wave of conquerors poured into it, anxious to control the strategic trade routes linking the centers of the ancient world. It’s not by accident that it’s virtually in the center of the world. In God’s master plan of creation, He decided to place Israel exactly in the center of His creation. Located on a tiny land bridge between Africa and Asia, there is no other way to get between the two of them except through Israel. It’s located on the crossroads of the world. Whoever wanted to trade between the two continents, or control the known world, had to conquer and control Israel. For this reason, there have been more wars and events that have taken place in Israel than any other country on earth. God positioned Israel in its unique location in order to influence the world and be on “Center Stage” so all of creation would know that He alone is God. For nearly 2,000 years, Christian visitors from all over the world have come to the Holy Land, the land of their spiritual heritage. With Bible in hand, they have walked the places Jesus walked and prayed in the places He preached and prayed. For Christians, Israel is a place like no other. It provides them a one of a kind opportunity to experience the land of the Bible, to deepen their faith, and to be spiritually transformed for a lifetime.

See all the sites and discoveries of Magdala by the Sea of Galilee. Learn about Mary Magdalene, one of Christ's most devoted followers. See how her life was drastically changed by Christ. Synagogue, stone with grooves (used for reading the scrolls in the synagogue), rare stone replica of the temple in Jerusalem, mosaics in the synagogue, scroll storage room, marketplace, fish market area, residential area, Mikvahs, harbor, Byzantine Monastery, Duc In Altum (Latin for "Put out into the deep") Magdala Photo Gallery Magdala Introduction Welcome to the town of Magdala. Many significant events from the Bible happened here. These are the highlights. 1. It was the largest city around the Sea of Galilee, so Jesus would have preached here regularly. 2. It has one of the most well-preserved synagogues in Israel. Magdala was the hometown of Mary Magdalene, from whom Christ cast out seven demons. 3. Mary became a devoted follower of Jesus and was the first one Christ appeared to after His resurrection. 4. Mary was likely a wealthy widow, as she followed Christ everywhere and financially supported the ministry of Jesus. 5. A strong case could be made that Mary was one of Christ’s most devoted and loyal followers. 6. It's a great place to put your feet in the Sea of Galilee. Location 1. Magdala, also known as Migdal and Magadan, is located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 2. It was located on the Via Maris (an International Highway linking Africa with Asia and Europe). 3. A massive tower foundation that may account for the city's name was discovered here . Both Magdala in Aramaic and Migdal in Hebrew mean tower. Historical Background 1. Magdala was one of the largest towns on the lake at the time of Jesus. Josephus reports that Magdala had a population of 40,000 people and a fleet of 230 boats. Excavations have uncovered the remains of a sprawling Roman city with mansions, paved streets, and a thermal bath complex. 2. History of the churches at Magdala. Around 350 AD, a Byzantine church was built on the site believed to be the location of Mary Magdalene’s house. The Byzantine church was destroyed around 640 AD. It was rebuilt by the Crusaders around 1150 AD. It was converted into a stable when the Crusaders were expelled from the Holy Land around 1291 AD. 3. Excavations first revealed this buried seaport city in the 1960s. Later, more of Magdala was discovered in 2009. 4. It’s believed a flash flood covered it sometime in the latter part of the 1st Century, as no coins or artifacts were found dating later than 67 AD. 5. It was a fishing village with one of the largest fish markets in northern Galilee. 6. It has one of Israel's oldest, most well-preserved synagogues. The synagogue was in use during Jesus' time, and He would have certainly preached here regularly. Matthew 4:23: And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 7. On one occasion, Jesus came to this area after feeding 4,000 people on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. Matthew 15:38–39: Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan (Magdala). 8. It has a rare stone replica of the temple in Jerusalem with detailed carvings showing different aspects of the temple. 9. Magdala was the hometown of the famous Jewish historian Josephus. 10. It was the hometown of Mary Magdalene, from whom Christ cast out seven demons. 11. It was the largest Jewish city around the Sea of Galilee. 12. The area around Magdala is called "Migdal," the Hebrew name for Magdala. 13. Magdala became a center of rebellion against Rome and a fortified base for rebels during the first Jewish revolt that began in AD 66. 14. In AD 67-68, three Roman legions commanded by Vespasian reached Magdala and surrounded the city. After its defeat, many of the rebels tried to escape by boat acros s Galilee with disastrous results. The Romans engaged them in a sea battle and killed so many that the water in the Sea of Galilee turned red with their blood. Another 1,200 were executed in nearby Tiberias. Of the remaining Magdala citizens, 6,000 were sent to build a canal in Greece, and 30,000 were sold as slaves. Places of Interest 1. Synagogue 2. Beth Midrash (teaching area in the synagogue) 3. Stone with grooves (used for reading the scrolls in the synagogue) 4. A rare stone replica of the temple in Jerusalem in the synagogue. A copy of it is now placed outside the synagogue in a glass case. Many symbols can be found carved into it. Westside (side facing seating area): Menorah Two pillars on each side represent the pillars at the entrance to the Holy of Holies. Jars likely represent storage for oil for the Menorah. Top of stone: Two trees represent the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden. Rosette represents the curtain to the Holy of Holies. Northside & Southside: Arches represent the entrance and exit to the temple in Jerusalem. Herodian Lamp, unique to Jerusalem. Eastside: Wheels with an explosion under them represent the Chariot of Fire, in which Elijah was taken to heaven. The Torah was read from this stone on Saturdays (Sabbath). 5. Well-preserved mosaics in the synagogue. 6. Scroll storage room in the synagogue. 7. Marketplace 8. Fishmarket area Aqueduct 9. Residential area The width of the streets in biblical times was measured by the width of two loaded donkeys passing by one another. 10. Mikvahs 11. Byzantine Monastery 12. Duc In Altum (Latin for "Put out into the deep") is a spiritual center in Magdala where all can worship. It has a unique Galilean boat as an altar and a beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee behind it. The boat is made out of cedar from Lebanon, in honor of the temple Solomon built with cedar from Lebanon as well. This center was built in honor of Mary Magdalene. One of its purposes is to honor and support women today. The Encounter Chapel, located on the lower level of Duc In Altum, is part of Magdala´s archaeological treasure. The floor is that of the original first-century marketplace of the Magdala port. The woman represented in this chapel was seeking healing and found it when she touched Jesus' hem. What a miraculous and life-changing encounter! Today, people can stand on the stones of the marketplace where Jesus walked and have a personal encounter as they experience Christ's historical and spiritual presence. 13. Byzantine Church Located beside the Duc In Altum center are the ruins of a Byzantine church built around 350 AD. The foundations, mosaic floors, and architectural fragments of the church are preserved and can be seen today. 14. Harbor and boat dock area by the seashore. Magdala (Mary Magdalene) in the Bible 1. Jesus preached in Magdala regularly. Matthew 4:23: And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. Matthew 15:38–39: Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan [Magdala]. 2. Jesus cast out 7 demons from Mary Magdalene. Luke 8:1–3: Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. 3. Mary was likely a wealthy widow as she followed Christ everywhere and supported the ministry of Jesus financially. 4. A strong case could be made that Mary was one of Christ’s most devoted and loyal followers. She followed Jesus everywhere and supported Him financially. She was present at the mock trial of Jesus, she heard Pontius Pilate pronounce the death sentence upon Jesus, she saw Jesus beaten and humiliated by the crowd, she was one of the women who stood near Jesus during the crucifixion to try to comfort Him, and she was the first woman Christ appeared to after rising from the dead. 5. Mary looked from a distance at Christ’s crucifixion and then moved in closer during His last suffering hours on the cross. Mark 15:40: There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. John 19:25: But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 6. Mary Magdalene helped buy expensive spices to anoint the body of Jesus after His crucifixion. Mark 16:1: When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 7. Mary was the earliest witness to Jesus's resurrection and was sent by Jesus to tell the others. Mark 16:9: When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. John 20:11-18: But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. 8. Even at the very end, Mary never lost her first love for Jesus. Revelation 2:4: But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 9. Mary also undoubtedly served Christ alongside the apostles for the rest of her life. Faith Lesson from Magdala and Mary Magdalene 1. Christ cast out seven demons from Mary. This changed her life forever and filled her with deep gratitude to Jesus. Are we grateful for what God has done for us as well? 2. Mary loved Christ profoundly and was one of His most devoted followers. She is the model of what it means to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Are we devoted to Christ as Mary was? 3. Mary supported Jesus’ ministry financially. Do we also support Jesus’ ministries? 4. Mary never lost her first love for Christ. Have we lost our first love?

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).

An in-depth look at the Bible events, location, and discoveries of ancient Bethsaida at the El Araj site. Peter, Andrew, and Philip were from this fishing town, and then later moved to Capernaum. This new location of Bethsaida has been recently discovered, and we believe it is the true location. Et-Tell site of Bethsaida has been the traditional location, and the El Araj site of Bethsaida is the new location with the best evidence biblically and archaeologically for the location of Bethsaida. Bethsaida Overview Photo Gallery New Location Photo Gallery Traditional Location Places of Interest Bethsaida Overview Introduction Welcome to Bethsaida. Several significant events from the Bible took place here. These are the highlights. 1. Bethsaida was a fishing village with several hundred inhabitants during the time of Christ. 2. At least 3 of the 12 disciples were from Bethsaida. John 1:44: Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 3. It was one of the three towns Jesus cursed because the people there did not believe in Him after witnessing all His miracles. 4. It was near Bethsaida, where Christ fed the 5,000. 5. Not far from Bethsaida is where Jesus walked on the water and calmed the sea. 6. Jesus healed a blind man at Bethsaida. 7. It is a natural site where you can swim in the Sea of Galilee, fish, or sit by its shore and think about all that happened here. Location 1. Currently, there are two leading candidates for the actual Bethsaida location. The first is the traditional site, which has been excavated since 1987. It sits on a hill and is located approximately 1.5 miles or 2.25 kilometers from the high-water mark of the Sea of Galilee. Since no other sites were excavated besides this first one, it became the default site. The traditional site is known as Et Tell. A number of years ago, we did a video about the traditional site because at the time, it was the only site considered legitimate. However, we have revised our position and now believe that a new site, called El Araj, is the most suitable candidate for the actual Bethsaida location. It is located at the high-water mark on the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee at the inlet of the Jordan River and fits the biblical and historical records much better. 2. We know from the Bible that Bethsaida was in a desolate, remote place with little population. Luke 9:10: The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them, and withdrew apart to a deserted place of a city called Bethsaida. 3. The northwestern side of the Sea of Galilee was densely populated in Jesus’ time, but the northeastern side where Bethsaida was located was desolate. 4. Bethsaida was a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee. In fact, its name means “House of Fishing.” 5. In John 1:44, we find that at least 3 disciples were from here: “Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ” We also know that at least Peter and Andrew were fishermen, so they lived in Bethsaida to be close to the sea. Historical Evidence Supporting the El Araj Site 1. Edward Robinson first identified the site of Et-Tell as the possible site of the Biblical Bethsaida in 1841. However, in 1888, Gottlieb Schumacher challenged Robinson’s proposed site because it was too far from the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. He proposed that El Araj was the proper location. 2. Like Schumacher, today some archaeologists and historians like Mordechai Aviam, Steven Notley, and Marc Turnage are not convinced the traditional site of Et Tell is the actual location of Bethsaida for two main reasons: The first problem concerns the distance from the Sea of Galilee to Et Tell. It is a considerable distance away and doesn’t align with the biblical, historical, and eyewitness accounts that clearly indicate Bethsaida was located right next to the sea. The traditional site is about 100 feet, or 30 meters, above the high-water level of the Sea of Galilee. They propose that the Sea of Galilee was approximately 16 feet or 5 meters higher than the current high-water mark. It would have been impossible for the Sea of Galilee to have been 16 feet or 5 meters higher than the high-water mark. It would have covered other known towns, such as Magdala, Gennesaret, Capernaum, and the newly discovered site of Bethsaida, which existed during the time of Christ and is located right next to the high-water mark of the Sea of Galilee. A dam was built in 1930 at the outlet of the Sea of Galilee, allowing Israel to regulate the water flow. As a result, today the water level of the sea can rise higher than it could have during the time of Christ. In recent years, due to heavy rainfall, the sea has risen higher than in previous years. However, as mentioned, during the time of Christ, the outlet prevented the sea from rising higher than the high-level watermark found around the shoreline. Therefore, the traditional site of Et Tell has real problems as it is so far from the sea. The second problem concerns the scarcity of Roman archaeology at the traditional site of Bethsaida. Josephus, a Jewish historian, writes about how Bethsaida was converted into a Roman City in the first century AD and underwent urbanization. He says: "And to the village of Bethsaida [located] next to the lake of Gennesar [Sea of Galilee] Herod Philip granted the dignity of the city by [introducing] a multitude of inhabitants and other fortifications, and he called it Julias after the name of the daughter of the Emperor" (Antiquities of the Jews: 18:28). No substantial remains of a Roman settlement have been found at Et Tell. Its ruins are mainly from the time of King David and Solomon. It features an impressive six-chamber gate, a design common during the time of Solomon. Jody Magnus, from UNC, speaks about the lack of Roman ruins at Et Tell. She says: "While the iron age remains at Bethsaida, or Et Tell, are monumental and impressive, the Roman period remains are very poor, and therefore, the site does not look like an urban center." For these two main reasons, the traditional site of Bethsaida has been questioned as the true site by some. We agree, and now believe this new site of El Araj is the true location of Bethsaida. 3. This “El Araj” site is also known by the locals as a different name. They call it "Bet Habek," which means the "Habek House" and was named after a Kurdish aristocrat who lived here in the 19th to 20th century. Some of the villa's ruins can still be seen today. 4. This site of El Araj is being excavated under the leadership of Professor Mordechai Aviam from the Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archeology at Kinneret College, Israel. Dr. Steven Notley is the academic and historical director at the site. He is a professor from the New York City campus of Nyack College. Marc Turnage assists as well. The excavation process at el Araj began in 2014, when Marc Turnage organized what is known as a “shovel survey” under the leadership of Aviam Mordechai and Steven Notley. This involved digging and sifting the soil from several five-meter by five-meter squares to a depth of about a foot, or 30 centimeters. Archaeologists then collected and dated the pottery, glass, and coins they found to create a profile of the site and its settlement. It was determined that there was a settlement at el Araj over a thousand years, spanning the Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Crusader periods —precisely the time frame of Bethsaida, according to historical sources. More serious excavations began in 2016 and continue to the present. 5. Now let’s look at some of the evidence that supports this site of El Araj as the best candidate for biblical Bethsaida. We will first examine the biblical accounts, then the eyewitness accounts, and finally the archaeological evidence, which aligns remarkably with the Bible and historical descriptions. Biblical account: According to the Bible, Bethsaida was located right beside the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus repeatedly traveled to and from it by boat. Historical and eyewitness accounts: As mentioned, Josephus, a Jewish historian, wrote about how Bethsaida was converted into a Polish or Roman City in the first century AD and urbanized. He wrote about how Bethsaida was located next to the lake of Gennesar [Sea of Galilee], and how Herod Philip converted Bethsaida into a Roman Polis city and called it Julias after the name of the daughter of the Emperor. Pliny the Elder, a first-century Roman writer, called Bethsaida “One of four lovely cities on the Sea of Galilee.” Later, Eusebius, in 305 AD, wrote about Bethsaida. He said, “The city of Andrew and Peter and Philip. It is located in the Galilee next to the lake of Gennesar" [Sea of Galilee]. Finally, we have a key testimony recorded of Willibald, Bishop of Bavaria in 725 AD, that speaks of a church being built at this site during the Byzantine period. "From Tiberias, they went around the sea by the village of Magdala to the village of Capernaum, where our Lord raised the prince’s daughter. And from Capernaum, they went to Bethsaida, from which came Peter and Andrew. There is now a church where previously there was a house.” Evidence of this church, and a monastery, have been discovered at this site. 6. From these biblical, historical, and eyewitness accounts, we learn the following about the location of Bethsaida: During the time of Christ, the community was predominantly Jewish. Peter, Andrew, and Philip originally lived in Bethsaida. It was located right beside the Sea of Galilee. Its name means fishing village. Jesus sailed to and from it regularly. Bethsaida was converted into a Roman Polis city in the first century and urbanized. Later, a Byzantine church was built over the home of Peter and Andrew in the fourth century, and it was still visible in 725 AD, as noted by Willibald. During the Crusader Period, it was venerated and used as a sugar plantation. 7. Three main excavations are happening at this site. The main area is Area A, which began in 2014. Area B began in 2016 and is located 50 meters east of Area A. In 2019, a third area, Area C, was established, located approximately 100 meters west of Area A. 8. In summary, all the archaeological evidence points to the El Araj location as the actual site of Bethsaida. It fits better with the biblical narrative and the historical and archaeological evidence than the traditional site of Et-Tell. Archaeological Evidence at the Site of El Araj From the Jewish Settlement period, we find: Walls and plastering from the first century. Pottery Oil lamps First-century coins Stone vessels used by Jews in purification rituals. Limestone dishes and knife-pared Herodian lamps, which were only made in Jerusalem before 70 AD, provide clear indications of Jewish settlement at el-Araj. First-century homes are also found in area C. Lead fishing weights Galilean pottery Two capitals that resemble those found in use in other early Roman synagogues were unearthed. A Lioness was found, which is common in Jewish communities. From the Roman Period, we find: A key discovery from this period is a Roman Bathhouse with small tiles and mosaics. This bathhouse had an elaborate heating system and was used as a sauna. It proves Bethsaida was converted into a Roman Polis, as a bathhouse of this nature was not found in Jewish communities. The Roman Bathhouse dates back to the first century AD and confirms that the water level was precisely where the Bible indicates it would have been during Christ's time. Bethsaida and the other towns around the Sea of Galilee are on the shoreline as the Bible and archaeology describe them to be. This discovery presents even more problems for the site of ET Tell. Area C was opened in 2019 and reveals that Bethsaida was a large Roman city, as Josephus described it as Julia. A Roman coin from the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero, dating to 66 AD, was also discovered. In the fourth century AD, a Byzantine Church and monastery were built over the homes of Peter and Andrew. A 30-meter section of the Byzantine wall of the monastery was discovered. A Cross was discovered on a Byzantine vessel. The Church described by Willibald was discovered. It was quite elaborate and had mosaic floors. Individual gold-gilded glass tesserae are only found in wall mosaics of ornate churches. A Byzantine Frieze was found. The base of a chancel screen was discovered. In 2019, the excavation team stood side by side to form the outline of the Byzantine Church. In 2024, the Byzantine Church was fully exposed, and the monastery is planned to be exposed in the coming years. Lastly, a Crusader presence is also found at this site. The following items have been discovered: Sugar bowls A glass vase piece A ring, among other discoveries. At the end of the 2019 excavations, a geophysical study was conducted in the vicinity, using electromagnetic sensors operated on the ground and from a drone. The results indicate that this site is quite large, and many houses and buildings are buried, waiting to be uncovered and tell their stories. Now, regarding this site of El Araj being the actual location of biblical Bethsaida, Dr. Steven Notley says: "Every day, the argument gets stronger and stronger. You know, we are preparing, we are coming to the point where you say there's no question now. The question mark is finished, we're on the site of Bethsaida, truly." Historical Background 1. Bethsaida was a fishing village with several hundred inhabitants during the time of Christ. 2. At least 3 of the 12 disciples were from Bethsaida. John 1:44: Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 3. Later, however, it appears that these disciples moved to Capernaum to be closer to where Jesus lived. Mark 1:21: And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching. Mark 1:28: And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Places of Interest 1. Et-Tell site of Bethsaida – Traditional Location 2. El Araj site of Bethsaida – New Location 3. Feeding of the 5,000 4. Approximate place Jesus walked on the water. 5. Capernaum Bethsaida in the Bible 1. Philip, Andrew, and Peter were from Bethsaida (John 1:44). 2. Jesus healed a blind man at Bethsaida. Mark 8:22–25: And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again ; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 3. Bethsaida was one of the three towns Jesus cursed because the people there did not believe in Him after witnessing all His miracles. Matthew 11:21: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 4. It was near Bethsaida, where Christ fed the 5,000. Luke 9:10–17: When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. 11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” 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. 5. Not far from Bethsaida is where Jesus walked on the water and calmed the sea. Mark 6:45–51: Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night [the last watch before dawn], he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded. Faith Lesson from Bethsaida 1. Like the healing of the blind man, Jesus often heals in different and strange ways. Do we have faith and trust in God regardless of how or if He chooses to heal? 2. Christ cursed the town of Bethsaida because its inhabitants were apathetic, showed unbelief in Christ, and chose not to follow and obey Him. Are we often slow to trust and obey Christ as well? 3. Christ fed the 5,000 in the area of Bethsaida to reveal He was the true bread of life from heaven and that His Word is our spiritual food. In the same way there were 12 baskets of food left over, Christ, as our Bread from Heaven, is also abundant and overflowing in feeding us spiritual food through His Word. Are we eating daily and finding our life in the authentic Bread of Life? 4. Not far from Bethsaida, Jesus walked on the water and calmed the sea. Am I finding rest and peace in Jesus in the midst of my personal storms of life? Isaiah 26:3–4: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

October 17-November 2, 2025, Registration Form. In-depth 17-Day Bible-centered Holy Land tour trip to Israel that allows you to see more holy sites in Israel. Holy Land Trip Registration Form October 17~November 2, 2 025 Trip How to Register and Secure Your Spot on the Holy Land Experience Trip of a Lifetime! 1. Fill out and submit the online registration form below. 2. Upon receiving and accepting your form, we will notify you of availability and acceptance into the tour trip group. 3. Upon acceptance into the group, please pay your $500 non-refundable deposit to confirm your spot. Registration Deposit Link Final Paym ent Link CONTACT INFO: Pastor Todd Fink Phone: (541) 603-0881 Email: holylandsite.com@gmail.com Website: HolyLandSite.com NEXT STEPS 1. Upon receiving and accepting your form, we will notify you of availability and acceptance into the tour trip group. 2. Upon acceptance into the group, please pay your $500 non-refundable deposit to confirm your spot. Registration Deposit Link Final Payment Link 3. In the meantime, check out our video teachings to the left or see other info about Holy Land Trip orientation, etc. CONTACT INFO: Pastor Todd Fink Phone: (541) 603-0881 Email: holylandsite.com@gmail.com Website: HolyLandSite.com TOUR HOSTS Dr. Todd & Letsy Fink - Tour Hosts More about the Finks