See the amazing miracle of the blind man healed at the Pool of Siloam (John 9:1–7). Learn the purposes for sickness, the location, and historical facts about this highly visited site in Jerusalem. Additional sites of interest are: Road from the Pool of Siloam leading up to the southern entrance to the temple (Pilgrims' Road), the southern temple entrance, Gihon Spring, City of David, Temple Mount, Hezekiah's Tunnel Pool of Siloam Photo Gallery Places of Interest Pool of Siloam Introduction 1. The Pool of Siloam was a large purification mitzvah for the Jewish holy festivals like the Passover, Feast of Tabernacles, Pentecost, etc. 2. The historian, Josephus, who lived just after the time of Christ, records that up to a million Jews would make pilgrimages to Jerusalem on these holy festivals. These Jews had to be purified before entering the Temple Mount. 3. The water for the Pool of Siloam came from the Gihon Spring, ran through Hezekiah's Tunnel, filled it, and then continued below the pool. 4. The water in the Pool of Siloam was living water. 5. The Pilgrim's Road, which was a wide street with shops on both sides, went from the Pool of Siloam up to the southern entrances to the temple. As they ascended this road, they would sing the songs of ascent found in Psalms 120-134. 6. It was here that Jesus performed an astounding miracle by healing a blind man, as found in John chapter 9. 7. Just above the pool a ways is the Synagogue of Theodotus, the place where the Pharisees questioned the blind man after Jesus healed him. 8. Let's explore and experience this site. Location 1. The Pool of Siloam was uncovered in 2004 during a water pipe break. 2. It is in the lower part of the City of David. 3. It was located on a main road that headed up to the Southern Gate entrance to the temple. Historical Background 1. The Pool of Siloam was a large purification mitzvah for the Jewish holy festivals like the Passover, Feast of Tabernacles, Pentecost, etc. 2. The historian, Josephus, who lived just after the time of Christ, records that up to a million Jews would make pilgrimages to Jerusalem on these holy festivals. These Jews had to be purified before entering the Temple Mount. 3. It was the size of two Olympic-sized swimming pools. 4. It has the same kind of stones and style as the Southern Stairs. 5. Its water source comes from the Gihon Spring in the City of David. 6. The water runs through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, which was built in 700 BC to prevent Jerusalem’s water source from being cut off by the warring army of the Assyrians. 7. When Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army, the first-century historian, Flavius Josephus, said that this area was set on fire. At that point, silt and debris started to slide into the pool. Pretty soon, it was covered up and totally forgotten. And now, almost 2000 years later, the pool is being excavated and uncovered. 8. The Gihon Spring still exists, and the water from it still flows down through what is called Hezekiah’s tunnel. It ends at a smaller pool built by the Byzantines at the end of Hezekiah's Tunnel today, which is about 160 ft (50 m) above the main Pool of Siloam today. 9. Since the main Pool of Siloam disappeared, Christians throughout the centuries came to believe that the smaller pool, above the now Siloam Pool, was the original Pool of Siloam. They even built a church there, which was destroyed by the Persians in the year 614 AD. 10. In 2004, workers repairing a damaged sewage pipe discovered some large stone steps. Archaeologists then arrived and realized that the stones were part of a large pool mentioned in the Bible. The archaeologist Eli Shukron was watching a team of workers trying to repair a drainage pipeline near the south side of the City of David ridge. Their tractor hit some of the slabs, and the archeologist stopped the work and summoned his colleague, Ronny Reich. They continued peeling back the soil and revealed a section of the steps of an ancient pool, dating to the Second Temple period. After extensive cleaning followed by conservation operations, the full extent of the northern section of the pool was revealed. Places of Interest 1. Pool of Siloam 2. Pilgrim's Road that went from the Pool of Siloam up to the southern entrances to the temple. As they ascended this road, they would sing the songs of ascent found in Psalms 120-134. 3. Southern temple entrances (Southern Stairs & Robinson's Arch Stairway) 4. Gihon Spring 5. City of David 6. Temple Mount 7. Hezekiah's Tunnel 8. Synagogue of Theodotus In John chapter 9, when Jesus rubbed clay on the blind man’s eyes, He told him to go wash it off in this pool. After the blind man was healed, he was brought to the synagogue just up the hill to be questioned by the Pharisees. The synagogue is located near the Tomb of David in the City of David. Pool of Siloam in the Bible 1. Jesus performed an astounding miracle here by healing a blind man. John 9:1–7: As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. 2. Why did Jesus make clay out of dirt and His saliva? To possibly show that He was the Creator and formed Adam and Eve out of the dust of the ground. According to the Gospel of John, the blind man was not healed until he himself washed the mud from his eyes. If Jesus had healed him instantly, the confrontation with the Pharisees in John 9 would never have taken place. Jesus intended for this trial to unfold, and He set it in motion by making clay on the Sabbath—a practice the Pharisees considered unlawful. This miracle occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2), when the Pool of Siloam was filled with people. Many of those present already knew the blind man (John 9:8– 9). By sending him through the streets with mud covering both eyes, Jesus drew public attention to him, making it inevitable that he would be brought before the Pharisees. 3. Why the Pool of Siloam? It was a key purification place, and multitudes of people were likely present to witness the miracle. It was an example of living water. John 7:37–38: Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 4. Confrontation between the blind man and the religious leaders. John 9:28–34: And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out. 5. Later, this man also received spiritual sight and became a follower of Christ. John 9:35–38: Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 6. Jesus pronounced judgment on those who refuse the light God gives them. John 9:39–41: Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind .” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.” Faith Lesson from the Pool of Siloam 1. The blind man received physical sight because of Jesus. 2. Later, he would receive spiritual sight as well and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Have we received spiritual sight by being born again? 3. The blind man was cast out of the synagogue, which was an enormous price to pay for a Jew. Are we willing to pay any price to follow Christ? 4. If we refuse the light God gives us, we can become spiritually blind like the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ day. 5. Contrary to what many believe, God does not always heal everyone and has more than one purpose for sickness. Seven Biblical Purposes for Sickness and Ailments 1. Sickness for the glory of God. Example of the blind man Jesus healed at the Pool of Siloam. John 9:3: Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 2. Sickness for disciplining believers living in sin. Example of believers who partook of the Lord’s Supper with sin in their lives. 1 Corinthians 11:30: For this reason, many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 3. Sickness to keep us humble and dependent on God. Example of the Apostle Paul. 2 Corinthians 12:7: So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 4. Sickness that allows us to glorify God in our suffering as we show our love and devotion to God despite our problems. Example of the life of Job. Job 13:15: Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. 5. Sickness for transforming us into the image of Christ. Romans 8:28–29: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. 6. Sickness that will develop within us a greater appreciation for heaven and all its pleasures. 2 Corinthians 4:17: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 7. Sickness unto death. Eventually, we’re all going to die regardless of what happens. Example of the great Prophet Elisha.

The latest discoveries show that Tel Khirbet el-Maqatir and Et Tell provide the most evidence for being the biblical Ai. The Bible story of how this city was destroyed by Joshua and the lesson to be learned by it is found here. Ai is in the hill country of the Samaria region. Two locations close to one another provide evidence of the location of Tel Ai. The first location is called Et-Tell. The second, and most recent excavation site, is called Khirbet el-Maqatir (Khirbet means ruins in Hebrew). Tel Ai: Et-Tell & Khirbet el-Maqatir Photo Gallery Places of Interest Tel Ai: Et-Tell & Khirbet el-Maqatir Location 1. Ai is in the hill country of the Samaria region about 14 miles (22 km.) west of Jericho and about 10 miles (17 km.) north of Jerusalem. 2. Two locations close by to one another provide overwhelming evidence as to the location of Tel Ai. The first location, which is the oldest excavation site, is called Et-Tell. The second, and most recent excavation site, is called Khirbet el-Maqatir (Khirbet means ruins in Hebrew). It is the view of HolyLandSite.com that both places are the same biblical Ai. Ai was a large city and had at least 12,000 inhabitants (Josh. 8:25). Because both sites are almost adjacent to one another, it appears that both belong to the same city of Ai and are just different parts of the city. 3. Both places are undeveloped sites, and no fees are charged to visit them. Et-Tell is located to the north of the modern town of Dayr Dibwan, and Khirbet el-Maqatir is located just west of Dayr Dibwan. Historical Background 1. Ai was the second town Joshua and the Israelites conquered after they entered the Promised Land. 2. It was a small town compared to Jericho, but because of sin among one person, Joshua and the Israelites had a hard time conquering this city and were taught a major lesson of how God feels about sin in the midst of His people. 3. Khirbet el-Maqatir is also the believed place of the New Testament town of Ephraim. This is significant because after Christ raised Lazarus from the dead, He and His disciples came here to stay awhile. John 11:54: Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim , and there he stayed with the disciples. 4. There has been some dispute regarding the location of Ai, with the believed place being Et-Tell for many years. However, in 1995, excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir were begun by Bryant Wood and sponsored by the Associates of Biblical Research (ABR). They excavated much of the site and made substantial discoveries, all indicating this site as the biblical Ai. ABR deserves the bulk of the credit for the excavations and discoveries at this site. However, as mentioned, we believe both sites of Et-Tell and Khirbet el-Maqatir are part of biblical Ai. 5. Byzantine monks built a large monastery at Khirbet el-Maqatir in the 4th century AD. Normally, churches were built at significant holy sites to preserve and commemorate them. This helps confirm this site as Ai. 6. The earliest reports by Edward Robinson in 1838 show that the local people thought Khirbet el-Maqatir was Ai. It’s likely that the Byzantine monastery helped preserve the memory of this location. 7. Evidence shows that Khirbet el-Maqatir was occupied and destroyed by fire during the time of Joshua, matching the biblical account. Ash layers have been discovered here supporting destruction by fire. 8. The Bible states that when Joshua arrived at Ai with his army, he stood in front of Ai on its north side (Joshua 8:11). In 1995, Associates for Biblical Research discovered the remains of a gate on the north side of the city wall. This matches the biblical account for the layout of biblical Ai. 9. At Khirbet el-Maqatir, a Canaanite border fortress was discovered that shows evidence of being destroyed by military action in around 1406 BC. This matches the exact time of the destruction of Ai in the Bible. The rough outline of the walls of the fortress has been marked out and small sections have been excavated. 10. Many pieces of pottery and artifacts dating to the time of Joshua have been uncovered at both sites. Among these are two Egyptian scarabs (small seals that look like coins). 11. The geography of the land in the area fits the locations of Khirbet el-Maqatir and Et-Tell perfectly. 12. Khirbet el-Maqatir and Et-Tell are on one of the highest mountains to the east of Bethel. Places of Interest at Et-Tell 1. Temple 2. Sacred Stones 3. Northern Gate 4. Tower 5. Building area of Ai that was covered with stones 28 feet (8.53 m.) high. This matches the biblical account in Joshua 8:29. Places of Interest at Khirbet el-Maqatir 1. City Towers 2. City Gate 3. City Walls 4. Ash remains from the destruction of Ai. 5. Byzantine church and monastery. 6. Mikveh 7. Dwellings 8. Silos 9. Cisterns General Places of Interest Around Ai 1. City of Bethel 2. Bethel Site of Abraham and Jacob 3. Bethel High Place of Worship – Currently named Khalom Ya'akov Antiquities Site. 4. Jericho Ai in the Bible 1. Close by to Ai, Abram (Abraham) built an altar to the Lord. Genesis 12:7-8: The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him. 8 Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 2. Before conquering Jericho, God gave strict orders that the Israelites were not to take any items from it. It was for the Lord as a kind of “First Fruits Offering” because it was the first city the Israelites conquered in the Promised Land. Joshua 6:17-19: The city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the Lord; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. 18 But as for you, only keep yourselves from the things under the ban, so that you do not covet them and take some of the things under the ban, and make the camp of Israel accursed and bring trouble on it. 19 But all the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.” 3. God gave the Israelites a miraculous victory over Jericho. After marching around the city one time each day for six days, and seven times the seventh day, God caused the walls to fall by the shout of His people. Joshua 6:20: So the people shouted, and priests blew the trumpets; and when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat , so that the people went up into the city, every man straight ahead, and they took the city. 4. Achan disobeyed God’s orders and took forbidden items from Jericho. Joshua 7:1: But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel. It’s interesting that God held all of Israel guilty for the sin of one person. It appears He wanted to show them that they were a family and community, and what affects one person affects everyone. 5. After seeing a miraculous victory over Jericho, the Israelites then proceeded to Ai, thinking they would take it with ease. However, God was angry over Achan’s sin and decided to teach the whole nation of Israel a big life lesson. Joshua 7:2-5: Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, "Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 They returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up; only about two or three thousand men need go up to Ai; do not make all the people toil up there, for they are few.” 4 So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai. 5 The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent, so the hearts of the people melted and became as water. 6. God spoke to Joshua and revealed the problem. Joshua 7:10-13: So the Lord said to Joshua, “Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? 11 Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. 12 Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst. 13 Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the Lord, the God of Israel, has said, “There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.” 7. Achan’s sin is dealt with, and the Israelites are cleansed. Joshua 7:22-26: So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, it was concealed in his tent with the silver underneath it. 23 They took them from inside the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the sons of Israel, and they poured them out before the Lord. 24 Then Joshua and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the mantle, the bar of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent and all that belonged to him; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor. 25 Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.” And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. 26 They raised over him a great heap of stones that stands to this day, and the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger. 8. The Israelites easily conquer Ai and burn it with fire. Joshua 8:11–12: And all the fighting men who were with him went up and drew near before the city and encamped on the north side of Ai, with a ravine between them and Ai . 12 He took about 5,000 men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city . Joshua 8:14–17: And as soon as the king of Ai saw this, he and all his people, the men of the city, hurried and went out early to the appointed place toward the Arabah to meet Israel in battle. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. 15 And Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them and fled in the direction of the wilderness. 16 So all the people who were in the city were called together to pursue them, and as they pursued Joshua they were drawn away from the city. 17 Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. They left the city open and pursued Israel. Joshua 8:19–21: And the men in the ambush rose quickly out of their place, and as soon as he had stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it. And they hurried to set the city on fire. 20 So when the men of Ai looked back, behold, the smoke of the city went up to heaven , and they had no power to flee this way or that, for the people who fled to the wilderness turned back against the pursuers. 21 And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that the smoke of the city went up, then they turned back and struck down the men of Ai. Faith Lesson from Ai 1. Sin is a serious thing in the life of a believer or church. 2. Our sin not only affects us but others around us as well. 3. If there is unconfessed sin in our lives, God will likely allow us to be defeated. 4. If our hearts are right before God, He will give us victory.

All about HolyLandSite.com Ministries. Bible Videos, teachings, maps, Holy Land Tour Trips to Israel, resources, and more. See amazing and interesting facts and truths 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. About Us About Us In 2010 we began going to Israel, and in 2011 we began leading tour trips to Israel. God gave us a passion for helping people see the places and context in which the Bible took place. As a result, we started creating videos, writing books, and leading tour trips to Israel to fulfill this calling and passion. In 2012 we officially launched HolyLandSite.com Ministries. It is a rapidly growing ministry that has become our central ministry focus. In conjunction with leading Holy Land Tour Trips to Israel, we go to Israel regularly to film more sites for our Bible teaching videos. For example, we just spent 2 months in Israel filming around 100 sites for the upcoming videos we plan to produce. Holy Land Site is a ministry affiliated with Go Missions to Mexico, a Christ-centered, biblically-based, non-denominational mission organization that has 29 years of experience in missionary service. It exists to incorporate short-term mission teams in the Great Commission to reach the unreached and strengthen churches and believers of Christ in Mexico. Scroll down to see more info about us. Todd & Letsy Fink (left), Logan Fink (center), Joel and Miriam Fink (right), Jonathan & Jason (Joel & Miriam's children) Todd Fink Todd has 45 years of ministry experience in the U.S. and Mexico. During this time, he has served as Youth Director, Campus Life Staff, AWANA Director, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, Hispanic Outreach Pastor, Building Construction Chairman, and Missionary. He also has experience in the secular field in agriculture and construction. Currently, he is in his 25th year as a missionary in Mexico and is the founder of Go Missions to Mexico and Holy Land Site Ministries. Todd is married to Letsy Fink and has four grown children and 8 grandchildren . Todd holds the following Bible degrees Bachelor of Theology Degree from Freelandia Bible College Master of Divinity studies at Western Seminary Master of Theology Degree from Freedom Bible College Master of Biblical Theology from Trinity Theological Seminary Doctor of Theology Degree (Ph.D.) from Trinity Theological Seminary. For books by Todd, click here . Letsy Fink Letsy has many years of ministry experience in both the U.S. and Mexico. She has served in many children's ministries, served with Todd in youth ministry, and loves leading Vacation Bible School Outreaches in Mexico with short-term mission teams. She has become a vital part of Holy Land Site Ministries and does a lot of camera work and filming for our videos. Letsy grew up in a godly home and went to church in an evangelic, Bible-believing church her whole life. She is currently working on a Bachelor of Theology Degree and delights in learning and growing in the Lord. Letsy has four grown children and 8 grandchildren . Joel Fink Joel moved to Mexico with his parents when he was 9 years old. He has grown up in Mexico and attended a local high school. It was there he met his high school sweetheart, Miriam, and later married. The culture of Mexico is second nature to Joel, and his Spanish speaking abilities are flawless. He has been working with short-term mission teams for practically his whole life. He has many building skills, ministry skills, and is a worship leader at his home church in Mexico. Joel accompanies us on all our Holy Land Tour Trips to Israel and helps with all the details, and is the main camera operator. Joel received a Bachelor of Theology Degree from Freedom Bible College and Seminary. Joel has two children. Miriam Fink Miriam is from Mexico and married Joel Fink in 2009. She has been an incredible addition to the ministry team and loves the Lord. She enjoys working with children and short-term mission teams. She is a great mother and loves her family deeply. Mirian goes to Israel on occasion and loves it very much. Miriam received a Bachelor of Business Degree from a university in Guadalajara, Mexico, and a Bachelor of Theology Degree from Trinity Bible College and Seminary. Miriam has two children. Logan Fink Logan moved to Mexico with his parents when he was about a year old. He has grown up in Mexico and feels very at home in the culture and his Spanish speaking abilities are flawless. He has been working with short-term mission teams for practically his whole life. He has many building skills, ministry skills, and is the youth pastor at his home church in Mexico. Logan accompanies us on many of our Holy Land Tour Trips to Israel and helps with all the details, and is one of the main camera operators. Logan has done Bachelor of Theology studies at Freedom Bible College and Seminary. Bere Fink Bere is from Mexico and married Logan in 2019. She has been an incredible addition to the ministry team and loves the Lord. She is the children's director at her home church, helps Logan in youth ministry, and is active in leading VBSs with Go Missions to Mexico. She is very gifted administratively and brings organization to whatever she does. Bere goes to Israel on occasion and loves it very much.

The Chapel of the Ascension marks the place on the Mount of Olives where Christ ascended back to heaven and where He will return to at His second coming. Learn all about it here. Sites of interest include: Mount of Olives, Kidron Valley, (Valley of Jehoshaphat), Garden of Gethsemane 3. Mary’s Tomb, Church of Mary Magdalene, Church of Dominus Flevit, Triumphal Entry Path, Bethphage, Tomb of Lazarus, Pater Noster Church, Absalom’s Monument, Tomb of the Prophets (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) Chapel of the Ascension Photo Gallery Places of Interest Chapel of the Ascension Ascension and Return of Christ Introduction The events that have occurred here and will occur in the future are monumental. They are so astounding it's hard to grasp them fully. 1. This spot marks the highest place on the Mount of Olives. 2. It's right here that Jesus ascended back to heaven in the sight of His disciples. 3. It's also right here that Christ will return to earth in power and astounding glory. Revelation 1:7: Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him , even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. Matthew 24:29–31: Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 4. Inside the chapel is a stone slab with an impression of Jesus' right foot, the last point on earth that was touched by Him before He ascended to heaven. It's believed to have been carved in the stone by one of Jesus' disciples. The Muslims removed the left foot, and it is located in the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount. 5. This will be a moving experience as we see this site and behold everything that happened, and will happen here soon. 6. We're going to be reflecting on the Bible, all these events, and letting them soak in and fill our souls. Location 1. The Chapel of Ascension sits at one of the highest places on the Mount of Olives and is the leading candidate for where the ascension of Christ took place. 2. A couple of other sites have been considered as the location of the Ascension of Christ back to heaven. One is the Russian Orthodox Church of the Ascension, and the other is the Pater Noster Church. However, this site is the best candidate for where this event actually happened. 3. All these churches are within a stone's throw of each other on the top of the Mount of Olives, so we're right in the area where this monumental event happened. Historical Background 1. Early Christians soon memorialized this place after Christ’s resurrection. 2. In 384 AD, a pilgrim named Egeria found two footprints embedded in a rock that she claimed were those of Christ when He ascended to heaven. It's believed that they were carved in the stone by one of Jesus' disciples to mark the spot where Jesus ascended. 3. Constantine's mother, Helena, had a church built here at the end of the 4th Century as a memorial chapel. It was an open-air building to preserve the view of the sky where Jesus ascended. 4. There has never been a roof on this church – not even since the beginning. It didn’t make sense to the builders to put a roof on the site where Jesus was taken up into heaven. It seemed to them that worshippers should have an unobstructed view of the sky, so this became a church with no roof. 5. This chapel was rebuilt in the 7th Century. 6. It was rebuilt by the Crusaders again around 1100 AD. 7. In 1198 AD, Saladin destroyed the chapel under Ottoman Muslim conquest, and a mosque was built on its site. However, part of the original chapel was left intact. The bases of the columns are visible today. 8. At this time, since the chapel was primarily used by Christians, a mosque was built during the Ottoman period on the south side of the compound, and the chapel was converted into a Muslim shrine. 9. Today, both Christians and Muslims visit this place, and it’s open to all. 10. Because it’s the highest place on the Mount of Olives, it’s believed to be the place from where Christ ascended back to heaven. 11. It’s also the believed place where Christ will return at His second coming. 12. Around the walls of this open-air church, you see a few altars. These altars belong to several Christian denominations that all hold festivals in this courtyard, celebrating the ascension of Jesus. These Christian groups use the hooks in the walls to hang awnings, banners, and ribbons during these celebrations. 13. On the floor of this chapel, inside a frame, is a stone slab with what many people believe is an impression of Jesus' right foot, the last point on earth that was touched by Him before He rose into the air. In the year 680 AD, the French monk Arculf recalled seeing two footprints, one for each of Jesus' right and left feet. However, the left footprint was later removed during the Middle Ages, and today it is located just behind the main pulpit in the Al-Aqsa Mosque at the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. Muslims also believe in the ascension of Jesus, which is why the left footprint is considered holy for them as well. How did these impressions get here? It has been assumed that one of Jesus’ disciples carved these two footprints into the rock after recalling the spot where Christ stood when He was taken into Heaven. While these might not have been actual impressions of Jesus’ feet, we can be certain that someone believed that He stood on this very spot when He was caught up in the air. Places of Interest 1. Foundations of the pillars of Helena's Church, built around 335 AD. 2. Chapel It used to be that there were no walls around this chapel. It was an open-air structure with just pillars and arches surrounding the sides. It didn’t have a dome either. Just as the entire rotunda was, this small chapel was also open to the sky. However, in 1198, Saladin decided to fill the space between the chapel's walls and then place a stone dome on top. Inside the chapel is a stone slab with what many believe is an impression of Jesus' right foot, the last point on earth to be touched by Him before He ascended to heaven. One of the first things you see upon entering the chapel is a Muslim prayer niche, known as the mihrab, in the wall. That was put here by Saladin in 1198 AD, when he converted this chapel into a mosque. The mihrab points toward Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, the direction in which Muslims are commanded to pray. 3. Altars by the outer walls. Around the walls of this open-air church, you see a few altars. These belong to several Christian denominations that all hold festivals in this courtyard, celebrating the ascension of Jesus. 4. Hooks in the outer walls. Christian groups use the hooks in the walls to hang awnings, banners, and ribbons during their celebrations. Chapel of the Ascension in the Bible 1. Christ ascended back to heaven from the top of the Mount of Olives. Acts 1:6–12: So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 2. The return of Christ to earth will be one of the greatest culminating events of Scripture. Zechariah 14:4: On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.” 3. Every being that has ever been created will see Christ’s return. Revelation 1:7: Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 4. Christ’s return conquers and flips all evil powers into submission to Him. Revelation 19:15: From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 5. Christ's coming will be in extreme power and great glory. Matthew 24:29–31: Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Revelation 6:12–17: When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" 6. Believers and angels will return with Christ in power and great glory as well. Revelation 19:11–15: Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 7. Christ will judge the nations and separate the sheep (believers) from the goats (unbelievers). Revelation 14:17–20: Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia [200 miles or 300 kilometers]. 8. The judgment of unbelievers will be severe. Zechariah 14:12: And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. Faith Lesson from the Chapel of the Ascension 1. Christ proved to be God in ascending in a glorified body back to heaven. Do we believe Jesus is God? 2. Every being that has ever been created will see Christ’s return in power and great glory. 3. Christ’s return conquers and flips all evil powers into submission to Him. 4. Christ coming will be in extreme power and great glory. 5. Christ will physically return to the Mount of Olives. 6. Believers and angels will return with Christ in power and great glory as well. 7. Christ will judge the nations and separate the sheep from the goats. 8. Are we living a devoted life to Christ and serving Him? 9. Are we living a life that is watchful and ready? 10. Will we be among those who come with Christ at His return or those whom Christ judges?

Doctrinal Statement of HolyLandSite.com Doctrinal Statement Doctrinal Statement The Bible We believe the Bible is inspired and inerrant in every word and thought by God and therefore, is the perfect Word of God without error (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We believe all scripture is the product of men writing as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit and is therefore totally accurate and God inspired (2 Pet. 1:19-21). We believe God’s word was not the product of man’s idea but came about as the result of God using man to write the very words He desired (2 Pet. 1:19-21). We believe the Bible is God's complete revelation to mankind and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16). We see that Christ and the Apostles referred to virtually every book of the Old Testament in their writings and sayings as the very word of God so we believe the same. We believe God is so powerful that to preserve His word is no great task for Him to accomplish. God said through the prophet Isaiah, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8). Christ said,"It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). The Nature of God We believe that God is the Creator of all that exist and is worthy of complete adoration by His creation (Gen.1-2). He gives life to every living creature and sustains them as well. He holds all things together and is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, transcendent, immanent, eternal and all-powerful (Col. 1). All things exist by Him and for Him. We believe in one living God who exists as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each of the Deity is fully God and totally united in essence and purpose. Jesus Christ We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God (Jn. 1:1) and through the virgin birth became fully man as well. Jesus lived a perfect life without sin and gave His life as the complete and perfect payment for our sins. Christ rose from the dead the third day and now is our High Priest forever. Through His work on the cross, we are forgiven for our sins and made totally righteous in Him. Through Christ's work on the cross, we receive the gift of the forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit, and eternal life (Rom. 3:23, Rom. 6:23, Jn. 3:16, Rom. 5:8, Rom. 10:9,10). The Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is also fully God and is the agent of the new birth. He convicts men and the world of sin and calls them to repentance. He lives within the believer to guide and empower them to please God, give power for living the Christian life and fulfill His plan for their lives (Gal. 5:16-26). Satan We believe Satan is a real adversary of the believer and must be battled with spiritual weapons (Eph. 6). He is a fallen angel and roams about seeking to destroy. He will ultimately be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:10). Mankind We believe mankind was created in the image of God, but that through the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, is now born with a sinful self-will and nature (Gen. 3, Rom 1-3). Mankind is completely unable to become righteous on his own and is spiritually dead until God enters their life and they are reborn. Mankind is totally depraved and falls short of the glory of God Rom. 3:23). The wages of sin is death and unless man is born again he remains dead in his sins and without hope of eternal life (Jn. 3:3, Rev.20:15). Salvation We believe that as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve, mankind is totally depraved, dead in their sins, and without hope of eternal life with God in heaven. If not born again during their lifetime, they will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire separated from God (Rom. 3:23, Rev. 20:11-15). As a result of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, each person's sins are forgiven and paid for upon receiving the free gift of salvation in Christ alone (Jn 3:16). Salvation is by faith in Christ alone, and not by works of righteousness by man by which salvation can be earned (Eph. 2:8,9). It is given by the grace of God and is available to all who believe (Jn. 3:16). Genuine salvation must involve repentance from sin and a realization that only Christ’s sacrifice on the cross can pay for one’s sins and make them right with God. The gift of salvation is found only in believing and receiving Christ and there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). Note: Todd Fink holds the following Bible degrees Bachelor of Theology Degree from Freelandia Bible College Master of Divinity studies at Western Seminary Master of Theology Degree from Freedom Bible College Master of Biblical Theology from Trinity Theological Seminary Doctor of Theology Degree (Ph.D.) from Trinity Theological Seminary. Click here for more about us

Overview of the Sea of Galilee and all the sites around it. Videos, maps, books, talks, archaeology, Bible teachings, and history of the people and places in around the Sea of Galilee. Tiberias, Mount Arbel, Magdala, Ginasor, Gennesaret, Tabhga, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Gamla, Kirsi, Feeding the 5,000, Yardenit, and more. Sea of Galilee Overview Photo Gallery Places of Interest Sea of Galilee Introduction Welcome to the Sea of Galilee. Many events from the Bible took place here. Here are some of the highlights. 1. Abraham entered the Promised Land through the gateway of the Sea of Galilee when he first journeyed from Ur of the Chaldeans. 2. In Matthew 4 we find that Jesus established his home ministry base in the town of Capernaum which is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 3. At least six of the 12 disciples were from around the Sea of Galilee: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, and Philip. 4. According to Acts 1:11, the rest of the disciples were also from the Galilee area. 5. Jesus spent around 60-70% of His ministry time around the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 6. The Via Maris passed right by Capernaum. It was a major international travel route linking Africa, Asia, and Europe. Location 1. The Sea of Galilee is located in the northern part of Israel, known as the Galilee region. Therefore, it’s called the Sea of Galilee. 2. It is also referred to in Scripture by other names, such as Ginnosar, Lake of Gennesar, Gennesaret, Sea of Chinneroth, Kinneret, and Sea of Tiberias. 3. It’s about 70 miles (115 km) north of Jerusalem and about 27 miles (45 km) east of the Mediterranean Sea. 4. It's a freshwater lake about 8 miles (13 km) wide by about 12 miles (19 km) long, and 150 ft. (46 m) deep. 5. It's located about 700 ft. (213 m.) below sea level. 6. It's a key freshwater source for much of Israel. 7. Because of its location, storms can arise quickly and drop down onto its surface without much warning. 8. The Sea of Galilee was located at a main crossroads of the known world during Christ's ministry on earth. This international highway, called the “Via Maris” (Way of the Sea), facilitated travel among the three continents of Africa, Asia, and Europe. 9. Travelers from these 3 continents were forced to use this route as there were few other options for traveling to and from each continent. This was so because the desert to the east was impassable due to a lack of water, and the Mediterranean Sea lay to the west, which was not a realistic option for travel, as it was expensive and ships were scarce. 10. The Via Maris passed right along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and old ruins and markers show its existence. 11. The north shore of the Sea of Galilee was even more traveled than the roads and routes leading through Jerusalem. 12. Oftentimes, we might think Christ was hiding out somewhere in a remote location. However, just the opposite was true. He chose the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (with Capernaum located at a key place along this route) as a center stage so His message would reach as many people as possible worldwide. 13. By spending most of His ministry time in the northern Galilee area, Christ’s miracles traveled by word of mouth to the ends of the earth. This laid the groundwork and sowed the seeds of the Gospel throughout the known world, making the later evangelization work of the apostles easier and more acceptable to those who heard the message about Christ. 14. It also provided the necessary space to accommodate the multitudes who would gather to be with Jesus. Historical Background 1. Abraham entered the Promised Land through the gateway of the Sea of Galilee when he first journeyed from Ur of the Chaldeans. 2. In Matthew 4 we find that Jesus established his home ministry base in the town of Capernaum which is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 3. At least six of the 12 disciples were from around the Sea of Galilee: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, and Philip. 4. According to Acts 1:11, the rest of the disciples were from the Galilee area as well. Places of Interest (Please See Above Map) Listed clockwise, starting at Tiberias 1. Tiberias 2. Mount Arbel – Likely place the Great Commission was given. 3. Magdala – Hometown of Mary Magdalene, from whom Christ cast out 7 demons. 4. Gennesaret (Ginosar) Yigal Allon Center – Jesus Boat Museum 5. Calling of the disciples. 6. Tel Chinnereth (Kinneret) – Identified as the Biblical city listed by Joshua as one of the fortified cities in the Naftali tribe region (Josh. 19). 7. Restoration of Peter at Tabgha – Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter 8. The traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 at Tabgha – Church of the Multiplication 9. Mount of Beatitudes – Place from where Christ preached the Sermon on the Mount. 10. Chorazin – One of the 3 towns Jesus cursed because of their unbelief. 11. Sower's Cove – Possible place Christ preached the Parables of the Kingdom sermon. 12. Capernaum - Home base of Jesus, Franciscan Site 13. Capernaum - Home base of Jesus, Greek Orthodox Site 14. Capernaum National Park and Peer – Great place to get out into the Sea of Galilee a bit. 15. Bethsaida traditional location. 16. Bethsaida newly discovered location – New archaeological evidence points to this place as the real Bethsaida. 17. Gamla – Place many Jews jumped to their deaths fleeing the Romans in 66 AD. 18. Sea of Galilee lookout place. 19. Kursi - Demon-possessed man healed. Pigs run down a steep slope into the sea just south of Kursi. 20. Feeding of the 4,000 – The most accurate location according to Scripture. 21. Horvat Susita – Old Roman City atop of a hill on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. 22. Yardenit – Nice baptismal site and souvenir store. 23. Hamat Tiberias National Park – Old Ruins of ancient Tiberias. The Sea of Galilee in the Bible 1. Jesus calmed the sea here two times. 2. Christ fed 5,000 and 4,000 on its eastern shores. 3. Christ walked on water in the northern part of the sea. 4. Christ preached the Sermon on the Mount here, which is His most famous and longest sermon. 5. Jesus cast demons out of a herd of 2,000 pigs here. 6. Christ did the majority of his miracles here in this region. 7. The miraculous “Catch of Fish” was performed here by Jesus. 8. Jesus performed every class of miracle to show He was Lord of every aspect of creation. Here are the kinds of miracles Christ performed: He healed all kinds of sickness. He had power over the demons and the demonic world. He had power over the weather and calmed the sea. He had power over nature and cursed a fig tree, and it died. He had power over animals – He cast demons into a herd of swine, performed miraculous catches of fish, and rode into Jerusalem on an untamed donkey. He had power over food – He fed 5,000 and 4,000 people. He had power over death – He raised a number of people from the dead and rose from the dead Himself. Jesus had the power to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). 9. Christ preached the parables of the Kingdom from its shore. 10. Jesus spent around 60 - 70% of His ministry time on earth around the Sea of Galilee. 11. The cursing of the unrepentant cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum was pronounced here by Jesus. 12. The Great Commission was likely given on Mount Arbel, which is the tallest mountain around the Sea of Galilee and has the best view. 13. Jesus appeared here to the disciples after His resurrection. 14. Jesus restored Peter to ministry here. 15. The Gospels mention multitudes of people following Jesus thirty-four times. These great crowds could easily have reached 15,000 or more. Matthew 4:23–25: 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. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. Mark 6:30–34: The apostles gathered together with Jesus ; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) 32 They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. 33 The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. Faith Lesson from the Sea of Galilee 1. Christ chose to locate His ministry base in Capernaum, which was on the Via Maris, so He would have maximum impact on a worldwide scale. Do we position ourselves to have maximum impact regarding the ministries we are involved in? 2. Jesus performed every class of miracle to show He was Lord of every aspect of creation. Do we believe Jesus was fully God and fully man at the same time? 3. Christ cursed the three towns of Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida because they heard so much teaching and witnessed many miracles but grew apathetic and hardhearted. Are we becoming apathetic toward Christ and His Word in our own personal lives? 4. Christ gave the Great Commission overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Are we serious about fulfilling the Great Commission, or have we become lazy and apathetic to this key command?

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the believed place where Christ was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. See all the places and events that happened at the Church of this historical place. Church of the Holy Sepulchre Background Photo Gallery Places of Interest Church of the Holy Sepulchre Background Introduction Welcome to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The evidence is overwhelming that this is the place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. This is the most significant event in Christian history. We will explore all the evidence and witness this monumental event. There are two main sites here that we'll see: (1) Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified, and (2) the tomb where Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. May the significance of this place move you as you reflect on what Christ did here for you and for everyone else. Its role in God's master plan of salvation cannot be overstated. Location 1. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located about 450 yards (415 m.) west of the Temple Mount. 2. It was located outside the city walls during the time of Christ. 3. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is believed to be the place where Christ was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. 4. It is the ending place of the Via Dolorosa path, and the last five stations are located there. 5. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the most important holy site in Christianity and is visited by over one million pilgrims every year. Historical Background 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 Because of all the adornments and construction over the centuries, it is hard to imagine how the site would have looked in Christ's time. 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. 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 a history spanning approximately 2,000 years. All this provides overwhelming evidence that 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 support for the authenticity of this site. The true site of Golgotha should have all the evidence of the buildings described by all the eyewitness accounts, should match the historical records, archaeological discoveries, and have these remains 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. Here is the very place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and risen from the dead. It is, therefore, Christianity's most holy site. Places of Interest 1. Window Ladder The so-called "Immovable Ladder" under the window of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, made of Lebanese cedar wood, was in place by 1728 and has remained there ever since the 1757 status quo was established, aside from being temporarily moved twice. The ladder is referred to as immovable due to the agreement of the Status Quo, which states that no cleric of the six ecumenical Christian orders may move, rearrange, or alter any property without the consent of the other five orders. The six churches that oversee the church are: Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic churches are the primary overseers. The Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Syrian Orthodox churches have less oversight. 2. The Chapel of the Franks ~ Via Dolorosa Station 10 According to Christian tradition, it's where Jesus was stripped of his clothes before crucifixion. This would make sense as the Romans usually crucified people naked. It is located to the right of the church entrance. It can be seen behind glass panels by going up the stairs. This place was formerly accessed from inside the church. Today, this door is closed, and the Chapel of the Franks can only be accessed from the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 3. Stairway Leading to Golgotha The place where Jesus was crucified was at the summit of a small hill. To ascend the hill of Golgotha today, you need to start at the entrance of the church, turn right, and climb up the 800-year-old stairs leading to Calvary (or Golgotha), the place where Jesus was crucified. This stairway and a platform were built by the Crusaders in around 1187 at the level of Golgotha so pilgrims could be at the same level where Jesus was crucified. 4. Chapel of the Nailing of the Cross ~ Via Dolorosa Station 11 This is where Jesus was nailed to the Cross. It features a 12th-century mosaic of Jesus being nailed to the cross. Here you see Jesus after having been nailed to the cross. Mary is wearing black, indicating that she is in mourning. It seems that the other two people in this mosaic are entirely symbolic. The person bowing before Jesus represents the bride of Christ, the Church, adorned in a pure white robe. The man with the nails is not a soldier because he is dressed in ordinary clothing. Luke 23:33: When the soldiers came to the place called “The Skull,” they nailed Jesus to a cross . They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each side of Jesus. 5. Rock of Calvary The rock of Calvary can be seen under a glass cover on either side of the main altar. 6. Crucifixion Altar ~ Via Dolorosa Station 12 This is where Christ was crucified. A silver disk, with a central hole, lies underneath the altar, marking the place where the Cross stood. On each side of the altar is the bedrock from the original site of Golgotha. Beneath the altar is a hole that permits people to touch the rock of Golgotha. John 19:18-19: There they crucified Him , and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. 19 Now Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written: “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 7. Shrine of Mary ~ Via Dolorosa Station 13 Between stations 11 and 12 of the Via Dolorosa is a shrine of Mary, the mother of Jesus, with a spear piercing her heart. This is also the believed place where the body of Jesus was taken down from the Cross. Luke 2:34-35: And Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul —to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 8. Chapel of Adam This chapel enshrines a cracked slab of rock behind glass, which is believed to have been caused by the earthquake after Christ died on the Cross. Just outside the chapel, part of the original rock of Golgotha can also be seen. Matthew 27:50-53: And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 Also, the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 9. T he Stone of Unction Located just after entering the church, it commemorates the preparation of Jesus' body for burial. Behind the Stone is a mosaic depicting Christ's anointing for burial. Matthew 27:59-60: And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth , 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. Just above the Stone of Unction is a large mosaic showing a timeline of the events of the death, anointing, and burial of Jesus. 10. Mourning Place An Armenian Shrine, also known as the Chapel of the Three Marys. It marks the place where they watched the crucifixion of Christ. John 19:25: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 11. Tomb of Jesus ~ Via Dolorosa Station 14 Underneath the large dome of the church (Rotunda) is the Tomb of Jesus. It is housed in a large shrine referred to as an Edicule. In the first room of the tomb is a rock in a case on a table. It is believed to be part of the original stone that was rolled to seal the tomb. In the second room of the burial tomb is bedrock from the original tomb. To the right is the bench where the body of Jesus would have been laid. Matthew 27:57-60: Now when it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea came, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock ; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. Matthew 28:5-6: The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen , just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” In 2016, an archaeological team was granted permission to lift the marble slate covering the tomb, and an older marble slab with a carved cross was discovered beneath it. Underneath it was the original limestone burial bed of Christ. 12. Coptic Chapel Around the back side of the Tomb of the Edicule is the small Chapel of the Coptic Church – the Orthodox Church of Egypt. Probably the most interesting aspect of this small chapel is what lies beneath the altar. Under it is an exposed portion of the original rock that surrounded the tomb of Jesus, which Joseph of Arimathea built. 13. Syrian Chapel ~ First Century Tombs The chapel is located within the original 4th-century walls of Constantine's church. This room is used every Sunday for worship by the Syrian Orthodox Church, which claims to be the oldest Christian denomination in the world. The Syrian church worships in the first-century language of Aramaic, and its Bible is written in the Syriac language, which is closely related to Aramaic. According to tradition, the Apostles Peter and John are considered the founders of the Syrian Church, which originated in the first century in the city of Antioch. It was here, as recorded in Acts 11:26, that the followers of Christ were first referred to as Christians. There are five tombs in this room that date back to the first century. Three of them are blocked, as if they have no significance. A decorative arch surrounds the two open tombs in the middle. That means these tombs were reserved for individuals of special status. It's believed that these were the tombs of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, members of the Jewish ruling council who were secret disciples of Christ, and who laid Him in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. 14. The Catholicon It was the central part of the Crusader Church. It's the largest chapel in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the main prayer hall of the Greek Orthodox church in Jerusalem. At the front of the chapel is a short, rose-colored marble basin containing a circular stone marked with a cross. It’s called the Omphalos, a word that means navel. It has been here for almost 1,000 years. The Orthodox Church teaches that the place where Jesus died and rose from the dead is the center of the world. A specific spot, known as the Omphalos, is situated exactly halfway between the cross and the tomb. They believe this spot is the spiritual center of the entire universe. This throne, located on the right side of the chapel, is reserved for the priest who oversees the Greek Orthodox Church in the Holy Land. He is called the Patriarch of Jerusalem. The throne on the left side of the chapel is dedicated to the Patriarch of Antioch, a city located in southern Turkey. The lecterns on each side of the chapel are called the Analogion. It is where the priest reads Scripture and leads his congregation in song and holy liturgy during Orthodox worship services. The wall in the front of the church is called an iconostasis, or icon stand, and virtually every Greek Orthodox church in the world has one. The iconostasis symbolically separates the main worship hall, which represents all of us on earth, from the sanctuary and the main altar behind the wall, which represents heaven. 15. Chapel of Mary Magdalene In between the rotunda of the church and the Arches of the Virgin is the Roman Catholic Chapel dedicated to Mary Magdalene. This chapel is believed to be the site where Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection. Above the altar in this chapel is a bronze statue depicting the encounter of Mary Magdalene with Jesus. High on the opposite side is the pipe organ that accompanies the worship services celebrated here. The tiles on the floor are new, but they are laid in the same pattern that they were in the 11th century. The circle with the rays represents the location where Jesus stood when He and Mary first encountered each other after His resurrection, and the three concentric circles represent the positions where Mary Magdalene stood when she saw Him. 16. Chapel of the Apparition It's approximately 1,000 years old and in the custody of the Franciscan Catholic community in Jerusalem. On the front left side of the church, a sculpture depicts Jesus appearing to His mother shortly after His resurrection. This appearance of Jesus to his mother is not recorded in the Bible. It’s a legend that was first mentioned in the third century. In this chapel is a column of stone believed by many to be part of the pillar to which Jesus was tied as the Roman soldiers whipped Him. On the far side of this room is a bronze statue on the wall, showing all fourteen stations of the cross – from the point at which Jesus was condemned by Pontius Pilate to die, to the tomb where He was buried, and from which He rose from the dead. 17. Arches of the Virgin Mary This is a long gallery under the custody of the Franciscan Catholics in the Holy Land. It’s called the Arches of the Virgin because it commemorates the moment Mary visited the tomb of Jesus, where He appeared to her after His resurrection. This legendary appearance to Mary is not mentioned in the Bible, but found in historical accounts from two ancient sources from the third century AD. The northern wall of this gallery is part of the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built by Constantine. There are holes in this wall that once supported large marble panels that adorned the rotunda over the Tomb of Jesus. 18. Chapel of the Prison of Jesus This chapel is under the authority of the Greek Orthodox Church. One of the remnants of this prison was this leg stock, where a prisoner’s legs would have been slipped through these holes, and then shackled at the ankles, so that the prisoner could not escape. It is unlikely that this prison existed during the crucifixion of Jesus, as it was located outside the city walls, and there is no mention in the Gospels of Jesus spending time in a prison at Golgotha. It is believed that Jesus was imprisoned for the night at the House of the High Priest, Caiaphas. However, not here at Golgotha. Today, this prison serves as a commemorative chapel where one can pray and contemplate the imprisonment of Jesus leading up to His crucifixion. 19. The Ambulatory There is a long, curved hallway that runs around the church behind the main worship hall, the Catholicon. This hallway is called the Ambulatory. When you walk through it, starting from the Chapel of Adam, it is like a little miniature Via Dolorosa. There are three chapels on the right side of this hallway, and they tell the story of Jesus' sufferings in chronological order, from right to left. Chapel of Derision Chapel of the Parting of the Robes Chapel of Longinus 20. Chapel of the Derision This place commemorates the people who derided Jesus by mocking and laughing at him while He hung on the Cross. The Paintings in the Chapel of the Derision. Each picture is a fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy. The picture on the right shows Jesus during one of His trials, where the Jewish rulers are mocking him. This was a fulfillment of verses from Psalm 27 and Psalm 35. The middle picture shows Jesus seated on this granite pillar, with the crown of thorns placed on His head. That was a fulfillment of prophecies in Psalms 35, 69, and Isaiah 50. The picture on the left shows Jesus walking through a crowd that is jeering and yelling at Him. That is a fulfillment of verses from Psalm 7 and Isaiah 53. Matthew 27:39-44: And those passing by were speaking abusively to Him , shaking their heads, 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way, the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself! He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He has trusted in God; let God rescue Him now, if He takes pleasure in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the rebels who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him in the same way. 21. Chapel of the Division of the Robes While Jesus hung on the cross, the Roman soldiers tore His robe up into four parts. This was foretold in Psalm 22:18: They divide my garments among them, and they cast lots for my clothing. The soldiers divided up Jesus’ outer garment into four parts, and then had a kind of lottery drawing to see which one of them would walk away with His tunic, which He wore under His robe. His tunic didn’t have any seams. It was woven into one piece. Mark 15:24: And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves , casting lots for them to decide what each man would take. 22. St Longinus Chapel Longinus was the believed Roman Centurion who commanded the soldiers that stood watch at Golgotha. He was an eyewitness to Jesus' final moments and proclaimed that Jesus was truly the Son of God. An ancient source from the fourth century claims the soldier's name was Longinus. John 19:32-34: So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man, and of the other who was crucified with Him; 33 but after they came to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 Yet one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear , and immediately blood and water came out. Whatever happened to this soldier named Longinus? Tradition tells us that Longinus became a believer in Christ, probably not just because of this earthquake, but also because, as a soldier, he likely heard that this same Jesus rose from the dead three days later. Matthew 27:54: Now as for the centurion and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the other things that were happening, they became extremely frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God !” Today, Longinus is revered as a saint in many Christian denominations because he is believed to have converted to Christianity after the crucifixion of Jesus. That’s why there is a large statue of Longinus in Saint Peter’s Cathedral in Rome today. Tradition tells us that Longinus was martyred in Cappadocia. 23. Chapel of St. Helena Descending the stairs into this chapel, ancient crosses carved into the walls from the 1100s can be seen. These stairs weren't always here. In the original church, this area was just a tunnel that led down to the foundation of the church that Helena built. After Christianity was legalized in 325 AD, the Empress Helena tore down the pagan temple Hadrian had built over Golgotha. That process exposed the area of this chapel. At the time, she did the same thing that Hadrian did 200 years earlier. She used this room as a foundation for the church that she built above it. To the left of the chapel, part of a structural wall Hadrian built can be seen today. The Chapel of Saint Helena was named after the mother of the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine the Great. In 326 AD, Constantine sent Helena to the Holy Land in her late 70s to build churches on Christianity’s most holy sites, beginning with this location. It was the Crusaders who gave this chapel its common name, but the current custodians of the chapel, the Armenian Apostolic Church, renamed this chapel after their patron Saint. They now refer to it as the Chapel of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. Saint Gregory is the most important saint for the Armenian Apostolic Church. In 301 AD, he convinced the king of Armenia to adopt Christianity. After that, the entire nation of Armenia switched from the pagan religion of Zoroastrianism to Christianity. The three large paintings on the north wall of this room tell his story. The Altar of Saint Helena (also known to the Armenians as the Altar of Saint Gregory). This altar was dedicated to Saint Helena. The Armenian Apostolic Church operates this chapel, and you will find a large mosaic on the floor depicting nine historic Armenian churches. Although the mosaic appears ancient, it was actually created in the 1970s. The Altar of the Penitent Thief is located to the left of the chapel. 24. Chapel of the Discovery of the Cross Going down some stairs located on the right side of the chapel is a room called the Chapel of the Discovery of the Cross. Tradition claims that this is where Saint Helena discovered the "True Cross" on which Jesus is said to have died. Why was the cross left here? This room was once a large underground cistern that collected water for the garden. You can still see the hole in the ceiling where people lowered buckets to get water. Tradition claims that local Christians told Helena that the Cross had been thrown into this old water cistern on the day Jesus died. Why was it thrown in this cistern? Jesus died at 3:00 PM, and the Jewish holy day (the Sabbath) began at 6:00 PM. Jewish law required that everything be buried or cleaned up before the Sabbath started. This gave Jesus’s followers only three hours to bury him and get rid of the bloody crosses. Because they were in a rush, they likely threw the crosses into this nearby cistern. Supposedly, the crosses stayed hidden here until Helena found them in 326 AD. If you look at the ceiling, you can see straight cuts in the rock. This is because, long before it was a cistern, this room was a stone quarry where workers extracted stone for building construction. Later, the old quarry was transformed into a garden, which is mentioned in the Bible (John 19:41). Ultimately, this space was converted into a cistern to supply water for the garden. The left side of this chapel is under the custody of the Catholics, whose altar features a life-sized statue of the Empress Helena holding a cross. The exact place where it is said that Helena found the three crosses is believed to be behind the metal altar railing. 25. Chapel of Saint Vartan This chapel is normally closed to the public, and special arrangements must be made to see it. This chapel is at the deepest part of the church. Throughout the centuries, the wall adjacent to the Altar of the Penitent Thief in the Chapel of Saint Helena was merely a wall. In the 1970s, a hole was made in the wall, and when they broke through, they discovered archaeological ruins that date back almost 2,700 years. The first room was part of a rock quarry that provided the building stones for Solomon’s Temple (960 BC) and other building projects in Jerusalem. A wall containing a boat drawing was part of the foundation of the temple to the false gods that Hadrian built on this site in 135 AD. The only remnants of this ancient temple are in this chapel and the Russian Church of Alexander Nevsky next door. Sometime between 325 AD—after Helena demolished Hadrian’s temple to the false gods—and the completion of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre about eleven years later, a pilgrim made his way to Jerusalem. He had traveled by boat from the western regions of the Roman Empire. Upon reaching this sacred place, he etched a drawing of his vessel onto the wall. Alongside it, in Latin, he inscribed the words: "Domine, imus"—“Lord, we go.” This phrase likely echoes Psalm 122:1: “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” His journey had brought him to the gates of Jerusalem—and he marked the moment in stone. Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Bible 1. Jesus arrives at Golgotha and is stripped of His garments (Station 10 of the Via Dolorosa; for all stations, see Via Dolorosa). John 19:23–24: When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, "They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” 2. Jesus is nailed to the Cross (Station 11). John 19:17–18: And he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 3. Jesus dies on the Cross (Station 12). Luke 23:44–45: It was now about the sixth hour [12:00 pm], and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour [3:00 pm], 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last.” 4. Jesus' body is removed from the Cross (Station 13). John 19:38–40: After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 5. Jesus is placed in the tomb (Station 14). John 19:41–42: 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. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. 6. Jesus rises from the dead. Matthew 28:5–6: The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” Faith Lesson from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre 1. While we might disagree with the decorations and atmosphere of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, do we appreciate all the devotion and sacrifice that have been made to remember and commemorate all Jesus did for us on the Cross? 2. The fact that this place, along with many others, has been preserved and set aside to honor Christ and the events of the Bible provides powerful evidence regarding the historicity of Christ and the truthfulness of the Bible. Do we truly believe the Bible and everything written in it? 3. This is the believed place where Christ gave His life for each one of us. Have we received Christ's gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life with Him in paradise? 4. Are we grateful for the price Jesus paid to save us and have a living relationship with us?

Why is the Holy Land so special? See amazing and interesting facts and truths 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. Holy Land Overview: Why It's So Special 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 in 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.

The history of the gates of Jerusalem plays a key role in understanding all God has done throughout its history. See each time period with maps, videos, talks, descriptions, and more. History of the Gates of Jerusalem Photo Gallery Places of Interest History of the Gates of Jerusalem There are eight gates around Old City Jerusalem. Seven are open, and one is closed (Eastern Gate). We'll look at these gates in a clockwise (right to left) circle, starting at the Jaffa Gate. Overview The Old City of Jerusalem covers about one square mile (2.6 square kilometers). The gates are the portals or entry passages into the city. The number of gates has varied over time. Until the Crusader Period (1099–1291), there were just four gates, one on each side of the city. Jaffa Gate (West) Damascus Gate (North) Eastern Gate (East) Zion Gate (South) From 1535 to 1542, the Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent restored and rebuilt the crumbling Old City walls to protect the city from a feared Crusader invasion. In addition to restoring many of the gates, Suleiman rebuilt two destroyed gates from previous years: Dung Gate Lions' Gate Herod's Gate Suleiman reclosed the Eastern Gate in 1541 AD. In modern times (1875-1889), two additional gates were opened into the city walls. Herod's Gate - Reopened in 1875 New Gate - 1889 Each gate has openings in the wall above it that enable the release of “weapons” such as boiling liquids, arrows, or stones aimed at the attackers below. The Bible records various uses of city gates. At the gates, people finalized business deals (Genesis 23), arranged marriages (Ruth 4), and settled disputes in the presence of witnesses (Amos 5). The king used gates to address his subjects (2 Samuel 18). Many of the gates are named after the location or destination they led toward. A number of the gates are shaped like an "L," designed to slow attackers attempting to enter the city. Jaffa Gate The Jaffa Gate is named so because the road leading from this gate heads westward to the port city of Jaffa, or Joppa. The gate as it stands today was rebuilt in 1538 by the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Great over the previous gate, which dates back to the time of the Hasmoneans around 140 BC. Facing due west, the Jaffa Gate is the best-known and busiest of the gates of Jerusalem. It is the only gate on the western side of the Old City. Today, it is the primary vehicle entry point into the Old City and one of only two gates in Jerusalem that allow vehicle access. When the German Kaiser Wilhelm II visited the Holy Land and Jerusalem in 1898, the Ottoman authorities opened the city wall beside Jaffa Gate so the Kaiser (emperor) could enter with his vehicle escorts. They also filled in the moat that surround the Tower of David complex. In 1917, British general Edmund Allenby entered the Old City through the Jaffa Gate, giving a speech at the nearby Tower of David. Allenby entered the city on foot in a show of respect for the city and a desire to avoid comparison with the Kaiser's entry in 1898. There are many bullet holes in the face of the gate due to wars before and during the Six-Day War in 1967. New Gate It's one of Jerusalem's newer gates. It was built in 1889 with the permission of the Turkish Sultan Abdul Hammid II, who gave it the alternative name The Gate of Hammid. The New Gate is in the northwest corner of the city. It is the only gate in Jerusalem that leads directly into the Christian Quarter. The Gate was built to allow easy access from the many Christian monasteries outside the walls to the Christian Quarter within. The New Gate is the simplest and least adorned of the gates of Jerusalem. Damascus Gate It's located on the northern side of the Old City walls, facing due north to Shechem and beyond to Damascus. The Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent completed the Damascus Gate between 1537 and 1542. It was built over previous gate ruins dating back to the time of Roman Emperor Hadrian, around 135 AD. It is the busiest of Jerusalem's gates, and many claim the most splendid. On Fridays and Saturdays, markets and bazaars make this one of the busiest parts of the city. Directly inside the gate is the Muslim Quarter, which serves as the Old City's Arab business center. During the Byzantine period (324 - 638 AD), it was known as St. Stephen's Gate (although the Lions' Gate is also known as such). Christian tradition claims Stephen was drug out of the city through this gate and stoned on the other side of today's road, becoming the first martyr. Of the two gates of Jerusalem, also named St. Stephen's Gate, this is the most likely sight of Stephen's stoning. The gate is one of the highest in the city because the northern part of the city was the most vulnerable to attacks due to the slope of the terrain. It was built in a double "L" shape to slow down would-be attackers. It was the beginning point of the Cardo Street, which the Roman Emperor Hadrian built around 135 AD. Part of the original gate Hadrian built can be seen to the left and below the newer gate. Ruins from previous gates can also be seen here. The gate Hadrian built was magnificent, with three arches. Arabs mainly use the gate today. Herod's Gate It bears this name because it was once believed to have led to a structure erroneously identified by Christians as Herod Antipas' Palace. The Jewish and Muslim communities know the gate as the Flower Gate, which derives from the floral designs in its architecture. It is located in the northern wall, to the east of the Damascus Gate. Herod's Gate leads into the Muslim Quarter, which provides Muslims with direct access to the Temple Mount. The gate as it stands today was built in 1875. Making it the newest gate of the city. Its main purpose before 1875 was to relieve traffic flow in the city's northern part. It was built with an internal L-shaped structure, like many of the other gates of Jerusalem. The Crusaders broke through the wall in this area to capture the city. Eastern Gate (Golden Gate) Perhaps the most intriguing of the gates of Jerusalem faces east toward the rising sun. East was the direction the Jewish Temple faced and opened up to. The gate was located along Jerusalem's eastern walls, facing east towards the Kidron Valley and Mount of Olives. It is the closest gate to the Temple Mount and, as such, has taken on special significance throughout Jerusalem's history. The Golden Gate is the oldest in Jerusalem, and scholars and archaeologists debate its exact timeline. Ancient stones at the base of the wall strongly suggest it dates back to the time of Solomon or Hezekiah (950-700 BC). It contains many biblical prophecies concerning the Messiah's entrance through it. Many of which have already been fulfilled. The Muslims established a cemetery in front of it, thinking this would stop the Messiah from entering through it in the future. Lions' Gate It is the eastern entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. Like many of Jerusalem's gates, it was built by the Ottomans in 1538-39 AD along the same stretch of walls as the Golden Gate. The Lion's Gate faces the Kidron Valley and Mount of Olives. The gate was originally built with an L-shaped structure, similar to the other Ottoman gates of Jerusalem. However, this L-shaped structure was later altered to allow vehicle access. The gate was also named St. Stephen's Gate, though the Damascus Gate is the likeliest site of Stephen's martyrdom. Four lions decorate the gate's facade, lending the gate its name. These lions were said to have been built by Suleiman under the influence of a dream. The legend goes that Suleiman desired to punish the Jews of Jerusalem. However, he had a dream in which lions devoured him, thus swaying his mind. Instead, he built the Lion's Gate, adding the lions to commemorate the occasion. Dung Gate Of all the gates of Jerusalem, the Dung Gate has unquestionably the most interesting name, and for obvious reasons. It is the smallest, possessing the lowest archway, and is built into the south walls. Like most of Jerusalem's other gates, the present gate was built by Suleiman around 1538 AD. The Dung Gate only allowed foot traffic until 1967, when the opening was enlarged. The Dung Gate derives its name from the fact that refuse and ash were escorted out of the city through this gate and dumped in the Hinnom Valley. It was a gate for trash from not only the Old City but also the Temple Mount. To the west of the gate, part of the original Cardo Minor Roman Emperor Hadrian, built in 135 AD, can be seen. It is the only gate without much defense abilities. This was so because of its location. Today, it's the closest and most used gate to the Western Wall. Tanners' Gate It's not included as one of the main eight gates of Old City Jerusalem. It was a small side entrance a short distance west of the Dung Gate. It's directly over the Cardo Minor Roman Emperor Hadrian, built in 135 AD. It was used to access animal purchases for sacrifices at the temple. It was named the "Tanners' Gate" because of those who tanned the hides of the animals slaughtered for temple sacrifices. Zion Gate This gate faces south and is located along the southwestern walls of the Old City. It is named such because it faces Mount Zion and provides access to It. The gate was rebuilt over previous ones by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1540. It is one of the gates of Jerusalem that lead into the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. Walls near the Zion Gate date from the Hasmonean and Herodian periods of the history of Jerusalem. Like the previously mentioned gates of Jerusalem, the Zion Gate was built with an L-shaped internal structure. One window on each side of the gate lent its distinguishable characteristic. It can support both foot and vehicle traffic. However, vehicles can only exit through the gate, not enter. It has many bullet holes and damage from the 1947 and 1967 wars fought in this area. Other Notable Sites of Old City Jerusalem's Walls Zedekiah's Cave The entrance to Zedekiah's Cave is just beneath the Old City wall, between the Damascus and Herod Gates. It's on the north side of Old City Jerusalem, just outside its walls. Only the cave's mouth is natural. The interior was carved over several thousand years. Zedekiah’s Cave is a 5-acre (2 hectares) underground limestone quarry that stretches under five city blocks of the Muslim Quarter of Old City Jerusalem. It was carved over several thousand years and is a remnant of the largest quarry in Jerusalem. Solomon very likely used this quarry to construct the temple and temple mount platform he built. Herod the Great likely used the main quarry at Zedekiah's Cave as building blocks to renovate the temple and its retaining walls. Stones from the quarry may also have been used for Herod Agrippa I's building projects. The cave was also said to have been King Zedekiah's hiding place when the Babylonians came to siege Jerusalem. Archaeology by the Bethesda Pools Recent discoveries outside the current walls by the pools of Bethesda strongly suggest they were outside the city walls during the time of Christ. Curious Bend in the Eastern Wall This bend marks where the Hasmoneans added onto the Temple Mount Platform around 140 BC. Seam in the Eastern Wall This marks where King Herod added onto the Temple Mount Platform around 19 BC. Southern Stairs The Southern Stairs were one of the main entrances from the south to the Temple Mount during Christ's time. Two main gate entrances led from these stairs up to the Temple Mount Platform. These gates are commonly known as the Hulda Gates. The gate for entering the Temple Mount Platform was on the right (east side), and the gate for leaving the Temple Mount was on the left (western side). King Herod had them redone and staggered them so no one could enter or depart the presence of God (signified by entering or departing the temple area) without being thoughtful in the process. They were the main access to the temple from the City of David and the city's western area, where most of the population lived. There were also many purification mikvehs at the base of the Southern Stairs (around 48 in total). The Southern Stairs were also called “The Rabbis’ Stairs” or the “Teaching Stairs” as rabbis taught their disciples on them. Jesus would have no doubt walked on these stairs and taught His disciples here. It’s also likely that the young Apostle Paul sat here under Gamaliel's teaching (Acts 22:3). It’s very likely that part of Pentecost took place here or ended up here. The Royal Stoa was located just above us on the southern end of the Temple Mount. It was a huge covered portico that ran the whole length of the Temple Mount at the southern part. We don't have time to discuss all the reasons now, but the Hebrew word for house means the House, referring to the temple or a covered structure. It doesn't really refer to a home. So just think that you are in the area where Pentecost took place. And, of course, around here are all these Mikvehs where the 3,000 who received Christ on Pentecost would be baptized. Pilate's Palace Judgment Seat This is the most likely place where Jesus was tried and condemned to crucifixion by Pilate. It has all the archaeological evidence to verify this event. Gate Entrance to Pilate’s Palace from Outside the Palace Steps Leading Up to the Gate Entrance to Pilate's Palace Preserved Wall of Herod the Great Preserved Stone Pavement Bema Seat – Judgment Seat Bema Seat Stone

See a tour of all the key sites at Tel Dan and learn the devastating reality of why the northern 10 tribes of Israel fell and were led into captivity by the Assyrians in 722 BC. Jeroboam set up an altar to worship a golden calf, and the remaining Kings of Israel followed in his steps. The city of Dan was located in the northernmost part of Israel, north of the Sea of Galilee. The tribe of Dan failed to take the original territory allotted to them, so they captured and moved to this area. The City of Dan Photo Gallery Places of Interest Dan Location 1. The city of Dan was located in the northernmost part of Israel, about 24 miles (38 km.) north of the Sea of Galilee. 2. It is a well-watered lush area superb for agriculture. Historical Background 1. The tribe of Dan failed to take the original territory allotted to them, so they captured and moved to this area (Judges 18). 2. When referring to all Israel, the phrase “From Dan to Beersheba” was commonly used. 1 Kings 4:25: Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. 3. Just after Solomon’s reign, the kingdom of Israel was divided because Solomon turned from the Lord and introduced the worship of false gods into the nation. 1 Kings 11:1–2: Now King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, 2 from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the sons of Israel, “You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for they will surely turn your heart away after their gods .” Solomon held fast to these in love. 1 Kings 11:6–11: Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done. 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon. 8 Thus also he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. 9 Now the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord , the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice , 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods ; but he did not observe what the Lord had commanded. 11 So the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and you have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you , and will give it to your servant. 4. Rehoboam was given the southern 2 tribes of Israel (called Judah from this time forward), and Jeroboam received the northern 10 tribes of Israel (called Israel from this time forward). Places of Interest 1. Entrance 2. Dan Spring 3. Dan River 4. Flour Mills 5. Pooh Bear Tree 6. Pistachio Tree 7. Wading Pool 8. Jeroboam’s Golden Calf High Place 9. Command Post Lookout 10. Israelite Outer Gate 11. Israelite Inner Gate 12. Canaanite Gate The City of Dan in the Bible 1. God appeared to Jeroboam and promised to bless him if he would serve Him. 1 Kings 11:38: Then it will be, that if you listen to all that I command you and walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight by observing My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build you an enduring house as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you. 2. Jeroboam turned away from the Lord and built golden calves in Bethel and Dan. 1 Kings 12:25-31: Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived there. And he went out from there and built Penuel. 26 Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. 27 If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will return to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 28 So the king consulted, and made two golden calves , and he said to them, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 29 He set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan . 30 Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. 31 And he made houses on high places, and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi. 3. After a severe warning from God, Jeroboam continued in sin. The worship of false gods would eventually seal the doom of the northern 10 tribes of Israel. 1 Kings 13:33–34: Even after this, Jeroboam did not change his evil ways, but once more appointed priests for the high places from all sorts of people. Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for the high places. 34 This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth. 4. The sin of Jeroboam became a pattern that the rest of the kings of Israel would follow. 1 Kings 15:33–34: In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king of all Israel in Tirzah, and he reigned twenty-four years. 34 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, walking in the ways of Jeroboam and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit. 1 Kings 16:26: He [Omri] walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit, so that they provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their worthless idols. 5. In 722 BC, as judgment from God for their continual disobedience, the 10 northern tribes of Israel were deported by the Assyrian Empire. 6. Eighty years later, Josiah became King of Judah and chose to follow God with all his heart. As a result of finding and reading the Scriptures, he led one of the most significant revivals Israel ever experienced. 2 Kings 22:1–2: Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother's name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. 2 Kings 23:25: Before him, there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him. 7. As a result of Josiah’s obedience, he renewed the covenant of the Lord with Israel and destroyed the golden calves Jeroboam had erected. 2 Kings 23:15: Furthermore, the altar that was at Bethel and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, had made, even that altar and the high place he broke down. Then he demolished its stones, ground them to dust, and burned the Asherah. 2 Kings 23:19: Josiah also removed all the houses of the high places which were in the cities of Samaria , which the kings of Israel had made provoking the Lord; and he did to them just as he had done in Bethel. Faith Lesson from the city of Dan 1. Despite God supernaturally revealing Himself two times to Solomon, he turned away from the Lord in his latter years. There is a tendency to grow apathetic the longer we are Christians. Are you apathetic and lukewarm in your relationship with God? 2. Despite God supernaturally revealing himself two times to Jeroboam, he turned his back on God and built altars to false gods all throughout the land. God gives grace to each person to receive and obey Him, but those who reject Him and His grace will be judged accordingly. 3. The sin of Jeroboam became a pattern that the rest of the kings of the northern tribes of Israel followed. What kind of example are we? Are we following the sinful patterns of our parents and those around us? 4. In 722 BC, the 10 northern tribes of Israel were deported because of their refusal to return to God. 5. The worship of false gods at Bethel and Dan became the downfall of the northern tribes of Israel. False gods and idols can be anything we make more important in our lives than God. Do you have any idols in your life? 6. Josiah chose to follow God with all his heart and tore down the two golden calf altars Jeroboam had set up. Do we follow God with all our heart like Josiah, and work with God to tear down the lies and false philosophies of Satan and the world with God’s Word (2 Cor. 10:4–5)?