Right beside the Garden of Gethsemane and the Tomb of Mary is an amazing cave where Jesus stayed while in Jerusalem. It was also where Jesus was arrested and taken to be condemned to crucifixion. Gethsemane Cave Grotto Photo Gallery Places of Interest Gethsemane Cave Grotto Introduction 1. This is the most likely place Jesus and His disciples stayed while ministering in Jerusalem. Therefore, you are in the footsteps of Jesus and His disciples right here. Luke 21:37-38: Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and e ach evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives , 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple. 2. The meaning of Gethsemane comes from the Hebrew words "gat," which means press, and "shemanim," which means oil. So, it was an oil press. However, in this case, it was an oil press for pressing olives into olive oil. 3. This is the most likely place Jesus spent His last moments with the disciples before being arrested and crucified. 4. It was likely from here that Jesus went to pray. 5. In this area, Christ’s sweat became like great drops of blood. 6. In this vicinity, Christ was arrested and taken captive by the Jews. 7. It was a large cave complex used as an olive press. 8. When it wasn't olive season, it was used for lodging. 9. Many believe it was in this cave that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, as found in John chapter 3. 10. In this place, you are literally in the same place Jesus was. Location 1. Gethsemane Cave is just north of the Garden of Gethsemane and beside the Tomb of Mary. Both are in the Kidron Valley, just east of the Temple Mount platform. 2. Access to the cave is along a narrow-walled passageway leading to the right from the open courtyard in front of the Tomb of Mary. 3. When people hear the word Gethsemane, they usually think of a garden. But Gethsemane wasn’t a garden. The word actually means olive press, not olive grove. It seems that everyone in Jesus’ time understood that Gethsemane was a cave—a location where olive oil was produced. In fact, the first time that we are aware of anyone using the term “Garden of Gethsemane” was around 1100 AD. Historical Background 1. Early Christians set this site apart and venerated it shortly after Jesus ascended back to heaven. 2. Since around 350 AD, this cave has been sanctified by the Christian faith as the place where the disciples waited for Jesus and later witnessed his arrest. A cistern, a fragment of a Greek inscription, and ceiling decorations attest to the site's use in both Byzantine and Crusader times. 3. In the Byzantine period, Christians recorded seeing some of the “Round Stone Beds” on which the disciples fell asleep while waiting for Jesus. 4. Parts of an ancient olive press prove the site is indeed Gethsemane. 5. The natural grotto, which is about 200 sq. yards (190 sq. meters) in area, has essentially been unchanged since Jesus' time. 6. It is believed to be where the disciples slept while Jesus prayed, and where Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested. 7. It may also be the location of Jesus’ nighttime meeting with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). The Catholic Church is the custodian of this cave and teaches that Jesus met the Jewish ruler Nicodemus there. In the third chapter of the Gospel of John, it says that in this room there was a conversation between Jesus and one of the leaders of the Jews – a man named Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a secret follower of Jesus. Because this cave was outside the city limits, it would have been easy for him to meet Jesus in secret at night. 8. The grotto is also known as the Cave of the Olive Press. 9. Around 350 AD, the grotto became a chapel. The floor was paved with white mosaic, through which graves were dug. More than 40 graves have been discovered, mainly from the 5th to 8th centuries. 10. The inscriptions on the wall have been interpreted in various ways. The line around the sanctuary seems to mean: “Here [in these representations]: The King sweated blood. Christ the Savior frequented [this place with his apostles]. My Father, if it is your wish, let this cup pass from me.” Places of Interest 1. Eyewitnesses from the fourth and sixth centuries attest to the remains of original artifacts, revealing this was the authentic place where the Gethsemane press was and where Jesus was arrested the night before being crucified. 2. Evidence of an olive press was found where the altar is now located. A hole in the wall supported the arm that held the lever used to press the olives. 3. Over the main altar is a representation of Jesus praying among the Apostles. 4. Paintings over the side altars depict the mother of Jesus being taken up bodily into heaven at the end of her earthly life. and the Kiss of Judas. 5. Bronze figures beneath the main altar depict two sleeping disciples. 6. To the right of the right-hand altar is a hole in the wall. It is just the right height to hold one end of a wooden beam, which, when weighted at the other end, presses down on crushed olives piled in loosely woven baskets. 7. Carved cross to the left of the altar. 8. Seven layers of writings on the ceiling toward the back of the cave, dating to shortly after the time of Christ. 9. Cistern toward the back of the cave. 10. Around 80 tombs, some dating to as early as 325 AD. 11. The stars on the ceiling were painted here during the Crusader era, about 900 years ago. These stars are reminiscent of the night when Jesus was arrested. 12. Garden of Gethsemane 13. Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat) 14. Temple Mount Gethsemane Cave in the Bible 1. This is the most likely place Jesus and His disciples stayed while ministering in Jerusalem. Luke 21:37-38: Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives , 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple. 2. Many believe it was in this cave that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, as found in John chapter 3. John 3:1-3: Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus , a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. 3. This is the most likely place Jesus spent His last moments with the disciples before being arrested and crucified. Matthew 26:30-31: And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives . 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 4. It was likely from here that Jesus went to pray. Matthew 26:36: Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane , and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 5. Christ’s sweat became like great drops of blood nearby. Luke 22:43-44: And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” 6. Christ was arrested and taken captive by the Jews nearby. Matthew 26:45-50: Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." 47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him." 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. Faith Lesson from Gethsemane Cave 1. Jesus willingly went to the cross to pay for our sins and show His great love for us. What about us? Do we truly appreciate what Christ did for us? 2. Jesus was the perfect example of willingly submitting to God and resisting sin and temptation, even sweating drops of blood. What about us? Do we submit to God regardless of the cost? 3. It was here that the disciples fled and abandoned Jesus. What about us? Do we stand firm during trials and persecution?

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 & Bere 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.

See a powerful message from the Hippodrome in Beth Shean, Israel, about the persecution and suffering of Christians. Prepare yourself for persecution because the day is coming when suffering and persecution will arise. The amphitheater/hippodrome was also used to persecute Christians during the early church period and later. On many occasions, they were released in a game-like event where believers who refused to deny Christ were torn to pieces and eaten alive while the crowd roared in a frenzy. Beth-Shean Amphitheater/Hippodrome Photo Gallery Places of Interest Beth-Shean Amphitheater Location 1. Beth-Shean, also known as Beit Shean or Bet She’an, was a major biblical and secular city for thousands of years. 2. It’s located in the center of several main crossroads between the Jordan Valley and the Jezreel (Yizreel) Valley. 3. It’s about 15 miles (25 Km.) south of the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee and about 35 miles (55 Km.) east of the Mediterranean Sea. 4. The Romans used the amphitheater/hippodrome in Bet-Shean for pleasure events, games with animals, and gladiator-type activities. 5. This arena seems to have served as both an amphitheater and hippodrome as it has openings into the arena from under the grandstands. It was common in Greek and Roman times that a city would have one stadium that could be used for both purposes because of financial and real estate reasons. 6. An amphitheater is different from a theater. An amphitheater has a full circle of seating, wherein a theater just has a semi-circle of seating. 7. The amphitheater/hippodrome was also used to persecute Christians during the early church period and later. 8. This amphitheater/hippodrome has underground rooms where wild beasts were released to devour people and other animals. 9. On many occasions, they were released in a game-like event where believers who refused to deny Christ were torn to pieces and eaten alive while the crowd roared in a frenzy. 10. It’s sobering and gives a person chills to just think about it! Historical Background 1. Beth-Shean was a key city long before the arrival of the Israelites because of its location. In the late Canaanite period (1600–1400 BC), the Egyptians ruled the area and the entire land of Israel. 2. Later, around 1000 BC, the Philistines also ruled the city for a time as they hung the body of King Saul on its walls after defeating the armies of Israel in the Battle of Gilboa. 3. When King David reigned (1010–970 BC), he conquered Beth-Shean, and it became part of Israel’s territories. 4. Later, in 732 BC, the Assyrian king, Tiglath-Pileser III, destroyed Beth-Shean after defeating the northern Kingdom of Israel. 5. In the 4th century BC, Hellenistic (Greek) new settlers established a city-state (polis) in Beth-Shean. During the Hellenistic period, the city was named Nisa Scythopolis. 6. In 63 BC, the city was conquered by the Romans and became one of the cities of the Decapolis – a group of cities with a Hellenistic-Roman cultural character, most of them in Transjordan. Beth-Shean was one of the key cities of the Roman Empire in this area south of Galilee. Places of Interest (Please See Maps Above) 1. The Arena: Comes from the word “sand.” It’s where the activities were carried out and was in the center. 2. Grandstands where the people were seated. The stadium’s many seats have crumbled over the years, but it’s estimated the seating capacity would have been between 10,000-20,000 people. 3. Entrance openings into the arena from under the grandstands. 4. Rooms under the grandstands where the animals and people would wait before being released into the area. The Amphitheater in the Bible 1. Persecution was a common practice, and the Bible makes reference to what many believers faced. Hebrews 11:35–38: Some were tortured, refusing to accept release so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated of whom the world was not worthy, wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. Acts 7 records how Stephen was one of the first to suffer early Christian persecution. He was stoned to death outside the gates for the faithful manner in which he preached the gospel. After this, a great persecution arose against all who professed belief in Christ as the Messiah. Acts 8:1: And Saul approved of his [Stephen] execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2. History and tradition provide rich data regarding the believed fate of many of the apostles, along with other believers who suffered persecution for their faith in Christ during the early church period. James the Great, the elder brother of John the Apostle, was beheaded in 44 A.D. Philip, who served in Upper Asia, was scourged in Phrygia, thrown into prison, and later crucified in 54 A.D. Matthew, the tax collector, served the Lord in Parthia and Ethiopia, where he was slain with a halberd (a shafted weapon with an ax-like cutting blade and a speared end) in the city of Nadabah in 60 A.D. James the Less, the brother of the Lord, served the church in Jerusalem and wrote the book of James. He suffered martyrdom at the age of 94 by being beaten and stoned by the Jews. Matthias, the man who was chosen to replace Judas as an apostle, was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded. Andrew, the brother of Peter, preached the gospel to many Asiatic nations and was crucified on a cross at Edessa. The ends of his cross were fixed transversely in the ground, thus the derivation of the term, St. Andrew's cross. Mark was converted to Christianity by Peter and served as his personal scribe. He was dragged to pieces and died by the people of Alexandria. The Apostle Peter was sought by Nero to be put to death. Jerome wrote that Peter was crucified with his head down and his feet up because he thought himself unworthy to be crucified in the same way as Christ. The Apostle Paul was persecuted all throughout his ministry. He was scourged, stoned, and finally, Nero had him beheaded by a sword. Jude, the brother of James, commonly called Thaddeus, was crucified at Edessa in A.D. 72. Bartholomew preached in several countries and translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India. He was cruelly beaten and then crucified by impatient idolaters. Thomas (doubting Thomas) preached the gospel in Parthia and India. His ministry caused the rage of the pagan priests, and he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear. Luke, the author of Luke and Acts, traveled with Paul through various countries and was supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree by the idolatrous priests of Greece. Simon the Zealot preached the gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even Britain, where he was crucified in A.D. 74. John, the apostle whom Jesus loved, was sent from Ephesus to Rome, where he was put into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by a miracle without injury but was then banished to the Isle of Patmos, and there he wrote the book of Revelation. Nerva, Domitian's successor, said he was the only apostle who escaped a violent death. 3. There are ten persecutions mentioned in Foxe's Book of Martyrs that are quite gruesome. The first mass persecution occurred under Nero in 67 AD. He was the sixth emperor of Rome and is remembered as the one who set Rome aflame and then blamed the Christians for the deaths and destruction caused by the fire. He had some Christians sewn up in skins of wild beasts and thrown to the dogs. Some Christians were dressed in shirts made stiff with wax, fixed to axletrees, and set on fire in Nero’s gardens in order to illuminate them. Rather than diminishing the spirit of Christianity, this persecution increased the devotion and commitment of Christians instead. The second persecution happened under Domitian in 81 AD. Anything bad that happened like famine, pestilence, or earthquakes he blamed on the Christians and put them to death. The third persecution occurred under Trajan in 108 AD. Christians were beaten, beheaded, and devoured by wild beasts, causing about ten thousand Christians to be put to death. The fourth persecution took place under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus in 162 AD. The fifth persecution is credited to Severus in 192 AD. Christians were burned at the stake, had hot tar poured on their heads, beheaded, placed in boiling water, and ravaged by wild beasts. The sixth persecution took place under Maximus in 235 AD. At this time, numerous Christians were slain without trial and buried indiscriminately in mass graves, sometimes fifty or sixty cast into a pit together. The seventh persecution happened under Decius in 249 AD. The main person martyred was Fabian, the bishop of Rome, who was beheaded on January 20, 250 AD. The eighth persecution occurred under Valerian in 257 AD. Once again, every manner of torture was used to mock those claiming to be Christians. Persecution was also used for the entertainment of the rulers and their guests. The ninth persecution occurred under Aurelian in 274 AD. when Felix, bishop of Rome, was martyred. The tenth persecution took place under Diocletian in 303 AD. This was commonly called the Era of the Martyrs. Persecutions were carried out with racks, scourges, swords, daggers, crosses, poisons, and famine. Today, there are more martyrs for Christ than there have ever been at any time in the history of the church. Many of these take place in the Middle East and go unnoticed by the public eye. According to BBC News, there are around 100,000–250,000 martyrs each year for Christ. Faith Lesson from Beth-Shean Amphitheater 1. God used persecution to give more validity, power, and meaning to the message of the gospel. 2. We show the world the value of our faith by what it cost us to keep and obey it. 3. During the years between 313 and 325 AD., Constantine, the Roman Emperor of that time, became a Christian and later declared Christianity the religion of the Roman Empire. 4. It was the persecution of Christians that God used most to convert the Roman Empire to Christianity. 5. Through persecution, God changed the religion of the most powerful nation on the earth to Christianity. 6. The church has seen its greatest growth and maturity during the periods it was persecuted the most. 7. We are nearing a time when it is going to cost us to follow Christ as well. Hebrews 12:1-6: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses , let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 8. Are we willing to suffer for our faith? 9. What does it cost us to follow Christ? 10. Do we stand firm on God’s word despite opposition? 11. Do we allow ourselves to be persuaded to compromise our faith because of pressure from our peers? 12. Do we subtly deny Christ in moments when we’re around people who don’t share our faith? 13. The only thing these Christians who died in this amphitheater here in Beth-Shean would have had to do to save their lives and not be shredded to pieces by the wild beast was to deny Christ. 14. But they didn’t, and today they have a special reward in heaven for being a martyr. 15. How about us? Are we willing to do the same?

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Tel Jezreel was a biblical fortified city located on the southern ridge of the beautiful Jezreel Valley in the Lower Galilee region of northern Israel. The tel sits 100 meters above the valley and covers approximately 22 acres. It is strategically located close to the ancient Via Maris trade route running from north to south and was an important stop along the way. Ruins at the site reveal it was the site of an ancient fortified settlement in the 800s BC built for King Omri. Tel Jezreel Photo Gallery Places of Interest Tel Jezreel Location 1. Tel Jezreel was a biblical fortified city located on the southern ridge of the beautiful Jezreel Valley in the Lower Galilee region of northern Israel. 2. The tel sits 100 meters above the valley and covers approximately 22 acres. It is strategically located close to the ancient Via Maris trade route running from north to south and was an important stop along the way. 3. Its strategic location on the entrance to the north-south trade route made the city a gatekeeper like Lachish, Gezer, Megiddo, and Hazor, which were located on the international highway known as the Via Maris (way of the sea). Historical Background 1. Tel Jezreel was a major Biblical city in the northern Kingdom of Israel. The capital of Israel was Samaria, but Jezreel is often presented as the Israelite king’s second or winter capital. 2. The Bible tells about many events associated with the city. 3. Excavations reveal that the city was inhabited in the Canaanite/Late Bronze period in around the 15th Century BC, and then later in the Israelite/Iron period. 4. The city belonged to the region of the tribe of Issachar. 5. Archaeological findings dating to the Iron Age include a large enclosure surrounded by a moat, a gate with six chambers, and large towers. These findings are dated to around 880 BC, which would have been during the reign of King Omri and Ahab. 6. In 722 BC, the Jezreel and the northern Kingdom of Israel were conquered by the Assyrians and many of the people were led away to Assyria as captives. 7. During the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Periods, the city continued to be an important gateway along the main road from north to south. 8. Jesus would have passed through the city of Jezreel on his journies from the Galilee area to Jerusalem. 9. The Crusaders who followed also left structures and remains of a medieval church which were uncovered in excavations. 10. The Ottomans inhabited the Tel in the 19th century. 11. In more recent history, the Tel was the site of major battles in 1948 when the State of Israel was established. On the Tel, you can see a memorial to the Palmach fighters who died in the battle. Places of Interest at Tel Jezreel 1. Biblical walls that are mentioned several times in the Bible. The walls once enclosed the ancient fortress complex. One of the famous Biblical scenes is of Queen Jezebel being thrown over the walls: “The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the walls of Jezreel.” 2. Likely place of King Ahab's Palace 3. Winepress 4. Spring 5. Tower Places of Interest Around Tel Jezreel 1. Jezreel Valley (Valley of Armageddon) 2. Mountains of Gilboa ~ Place King Saul and his sons were killed by the Philistines. 3. En Dor ~ Place King Saul met with a woman diviner who contacted Samuel from the dead. 4. Mount Tabor ~ Likely place of the transfiguration of Jesus. 5. Gideon's Spring ~ Place God chose 300 men to defeat the Midianites. 6. Beth Shean ~ Place the bodies of King Saul and his sons were hanged after the Philistines killed them in battle. Jezreel & Samaria In the Bible 1. The City of Jezreel was in the territory of the tribe of Issachar, as found in Joshua 19:17-18. 2. King Saul, on the eve of the fatal battle with the Philistines, camped with his army near the spring of Jezreel. The battle was fought in Jezreel Valley and on Mount Gilboa the following day. King Saul died fighting this battle together with his 3 sons. 1 Samuel 29:1: Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek, while the Israelites were camping by the spring which is in Jezreel . 1 Samuel 31:1: Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from the Philistines but fell fatally wounded on Mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines also overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3 . The great showdown between the 850 false prophets of Baal, Asherah, and Elijah took place on Mount Carmel, just 30 miles (50 km) north of Samaria. 1 Kings 18:20–21: So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel . 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 4. After the prophet Elijah's great victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah instructed Ahab to return home to Jezreel to report the news to his wife, Jezebel (Jezreel is around 30 miles or 50 km. from Mount Carmel). 1 Kings 18:45–46: Meanwhile the sky became dark with clouds and wind came up, and there was a heavy shower. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel . 46 Then the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he belted his cloak around his waist and outran Ahab to Jezreel . 6. King Ahab had a palace in Jezreel. 1 Kings 21:1–3: Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel , beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria . 7. King Ahab killed Naboth to acquire his vineyard. This event occurred north of Samaria at Ahab's summer palace of Tel Jezreel. 1 Kings 21:1–3: Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria . 2 And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” 3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” 7. God killed King Ahab because of his great wickedness. 1 Kings 22:37–38: So the king died, and was brought to Samaria . And they buried the king in Samaria . 38 And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes washed themselves in it, according to the word of the Lord that he had spoken. 8. The fall of wicked Queen Jezebel took place as prophesied by Elijah. 2 Kings 9:30–37: When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it, and she put makeup on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked down through the window. 31 As Jehu entered the gate, she said, “Is your intention peace, Zimri, his master’s murderer?” 32 Then he raised his face toward the window and said, “Who is with me, who?” And two or three officials looked down at him. 33 Then he said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and he trampled her underfoot. 34 When he came in, he ate and drank; and he said, “See now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king’s daughter.” 35 So they went to bury her, but they found nothing of her except the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands. 36 Therefore they returned and informed him. And he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘On the property of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; 37 and the corpse of Jezebel will be like dung on the face of the field in the property of Jezreel, so they cannot say, “This is Jezebel.”’” In 2 Kings 10:8 Jehu orders the death of 70 descendants of Ahab, and has their heads sent to the new king in Jezreel and piled up in "two heaps at the gate entrance." 9. Jezreel is also mentioned in the book of Hosea, where God commands Hosea to name his son "Jezreel" because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel" (Hosea 1:4). God also tells Hosea as to a future event, "I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord. And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the Lord, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel." (Hosea 2:21–22). Hosea also mentions, "In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel." (Hosea 1:5). Faith Lesson from Samaria 1. Unfortunately, the division of the Nation of Israel into two parts was born out of disobedience to God. It began with King Solomon, and then all the following kings of the northern kingdom walked in disobedience to God. What about us? When we live in constant disobedience to God, one of the consequences will be division. Division between God and us and between our families, friends, and virtually everything else. 2. Nonetheless, God sent prophet after prophet to warn them to leave their false Gods and return to Him. God is patient with us, but we must heed His word and the input of others in our lives as well. 3. God extended mercy and patience upon them despite their continual rejection of Him. God does the same for us, but there will come a time when God will have to change methods to get our attention and help us to change. 4. Because of their hardhearted rejection, God had no choice but to discipline the Northern Kingdom and deport most of them to Assyria. God will do the same to us if we continually disobey Him. 5. Do we really believe that disobedience to God causes pain and suffering? Romans 8:6 makes this very clear. It says, "For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." 6. Do we understand that God is merciful and patient but disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12:7–11)? God loves us so much that He is unwilling to allow us to live in continual disobedience. He knows it causes us death and destruction, so He disciplines us to cause us to change and turn to Him. 7. The Samaritan people gladly received the gospel under Philip’s preaching. Do we realize that those living in darkness are the most receptive to the light? Sometimes we think that those living in darkness and disobedience to God won't listen. However, most of the time, it's just the opposite. Those living in death and destruction are secretly looking for change and a way out of their pain. We should share Christ with everyone and realize God is working in their lives.

Christ's path to the Cross, His suffering, condemnation by the Jews, trial by Pilate, and crucifixion. Gethsemane, House of Caiaphus, Pilate's Judgment Place, Golgotha, Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Jesus' Final Hours and Path to the Cross Photo Gallery Places of Interest Jesus' Final Hours and Path to the Cross Introduction 1. What a rare and awe-inspiring privilege to see and walk in the very footsteps of Jesus during His last hours and crucifixion. 2. We're going to walk in what the historical and archaeological evidence reveals is the authentic path Jesus took to the cross. 3. We'll relive and see from the Bible the events He experienced at each place. 4. These are the places we'll visit on this tour. Cave of Gethsemane ~ The place Jesus and His disciples were staying the night Jesus was arrested. From here, Jesus would go to the Upper Room for the Passover and return. Gethsemane ~ The place where Jesus sweated drops of blood in agony and was arrested. Kidron Valley ~ We'll walk through it on our way to the House of Caiaphas. It's also the place where God will judge the nations at the end of the Tribulation Period, and the blood will flow as deep as a horse's bridle. House of Caiaphas ~ The place where Jesus was tried before the High Priest and religious leaders. He was also beaten, abused, and spent the night in a dungeon. The Upper Room ~ The place where Jesus ate the Last Supper before going to Gethsemane. Pilate's Palace ~ The place where Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate and condemned to crucifixion. Via Dolorosa (Painful Path) ~ The route Jesus took to Golgotha, carrying His cross, from Pilate's Palace. Jaffa Gate ~ Gate leading into Jerusalem going to Golgotha. Gennath Gate (Garden Gate) ~ Gate leading outside Jerusalem going to Golgotha. Golgotha ~ The Place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again. 5. This will be a unique and sobering experience. Historical Background 1. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ were real events that happened in history. 2. They were prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. 3. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of eyewitnesses to Christ’s resurrection (1 Cor. 15:6). 4. Soon after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, Christians began setting apart the holy sites and venerating them. Therefore, these sites were not lost or forgotten. 5. Within decades of Christ’s resurrection, Roman and Jewish historians wrote about Jesus and the events surrounding Him. 6. There is more evidence regarding Christ’s existence than Julius Caesar. 7. No other person has changed history like Christ did. 8. Christ’s disciples were willing to die for their faith in Him. 9. Throughout history, and today, billions of people confess Christ as their Savior, and proclaim that He lives within them and has changed their lives. Places of Interest 1. Mount of Olives 2. Temple Mount 3. Upper Room 4. Cave of Gethsemane 5. Gethsemane 6. Kidron Valley 7. House of Caiaphas 8. Pilate's Palace 9. Herod Antipas Palace 10. Via Dolorosa 11. Jaffa Gate 12. Gennath Gate (Garden Gate) 13. Golgotha - Church of the Holy Sepulchre Jesus' Final Hours and Path to the Cross The Upper Room (6:00 pm) 1. Jesus eats the Passover Meal with His disciples. Luke 22:11–13: And tell the master of the house, “The Teacher says to you, ‘Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 2. The Passover meal began with Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. John 13:1–5: Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 3. Christ taught about true love and servanthood. John 13:12–16: When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 4. Christ instituted the New Covenant at the Passover Meal. Matthew 26:26–29: Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant , which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” 5. Judas prepares to betray Jesus. John 13:26-27: Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him . So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” Luke 22:4-6: And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. This meeting between Judas and the religious leaders most likely took place at the House of Caiaphas, the High Priest. From the Upper Room, Jesus and His disciples would walk down to Gethsemane. Points of Interest The Upper Room First Floor King David’s Tomb ~ This is just a memorial place, as Scripture says David was buried in the City of David (1 Kings 2:10). Modern-day synagogue Torah Ark Niche Large stones in the Torah Ark Niche of the Judeo-Christian Church Large stones from the walls of the Judeo-Christian Church The Upper Room Second Floor Crusader remains. Viewing Platform Above the Upper Room Temple Mount Golgotha - Church of the Holy Sepulchre Gethsemane Cave Grotto (8:00 pm) 1. After the Passover Meal, Jesus and His disciples went to a cave near Gethsemane. Luke 21:37-38: Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives , 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple. Points of Interest Temple Mount Eastern Gate Mount of Olives Triumphal Entry Church of Dominus Flevit Kidron Valley The name Gethsemane comes from the Hebrew words "gat," meaning " press," and "shemanim," meaning "oil." " So, it was a place for pressing olives into olive oil. It was cool and shady, the perfect place to work during the hot fall harvest days. To the right of the right-hand altar is a hole in the wall. It is just the right height to hold one end of a wooden beam, which, when weighted at the other end, presses down on crushed olives piled in loosely woven baskets. It wasn't in use during the Passover, which happened in the spring. Therefore, it served as sleeping quarters for Jesus and His followers. It was set aside and venerated shortly after Jesus' crucifixion. This is the most likely place Jesus spent His last moments with the disciples before being arrested and crucified. Gethsemane (8:30 pm) When people hear the word Gethsemane, they usually think of a garden. But Gethsemane wasn’t a garden. The word actually means olive press, not olive grove. It seems that everyone in Jesus’ time understood that Gethsemane was a cave—a location where olive oil was produced. In fact, the first time that we are aware of anyone using the term “Garden of Gethsemane” was around 1100 AD. 1. Jesus began his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:36–38: Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death ; remain here, and watch with me." 2. Christ’s sweat became like great drops of blood. Luke 22:43-44: And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 3. Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane very late at night. Matthew 26:47: While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Luke 22:47-51: While he was still speaking, a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. Points of Interest It was an olive orchard with an olive press. As a result, it became known as the Garden of Gethsemane. How fitting it would be called Gethsemane, as Christ would be pressed here beyond measure. Even to the point of His sweat becoming like drops of blood. Ancient Olive Trees (their roots date to the time of Jesus) Mount of Olives Church of All Nations The church's roof has 12 domes, one for each country that donated to its construction costs. The dim lighting in the church evokes the night when Christ prayed in agony. Glass plates on the floor of the church, where mosaics of the Byzantine Church from the 4th Century can be seen. Rock upon which Jesus prayed. Kidron Valley (9:00 pm) The Kidron Valley lies just east of Jerusalem’s Old City, between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. It stretches about 20 miles to the Dead Sea. Traditionally linked with the Bible’s “Valley of Jehoshaphat,” it contains many ancient tombs carved into the rock. Jesus would have crossed this valley many times when traveling between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount. On the night of His arrest, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with His disciples on His way to Gethsemane. After His arrest, He was taken back toward Jerusalem to appear before Annas. 1. For the Christian believer, the most poignant moment in the Kidron Valley’s history occurred on the night before the crucifixion of Jesus. After observing the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples left the upper room to pray. John 18:1 records: "When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron , where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered." The historical and topographical context of this single verse is staggering. It was the night of Passover. According to the Jewish Mishnah, a channel ran from the base of the Temple Mount's altar down into the Kidron Valley. The excess blood from the thousands of Passover lambs sacrificed in the Temple drained through this conduit, spilling directly into the brook Kidron. When Jesus crossed the valley that night, the waters would have been visibly stained crimson. The true Lamb of God quite literally stepped over the blood of the earthly sacrificial lambs as He made His way up the Mount of Olives into the Garden of Gethsemane. 2. God will gather the nations to the Kidron Valley at the end of the Tribulation and judge them. Joel 3:1–3: For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat . And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, 3 and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it. 3. It is the Winepress of God’s wrath. Revelation 14:14–20: Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle [5 feet or 1.75 meters], for 1,600 stadia [200 miles, or 300 kilometers]. The flow of the river of blood from the Kidron Valley will run east toward the Dead Sea, then go south toward the Red Sea. The ancient monuments known as the Tombs of Absalom and Zechariah stand in this valley. We cannot say for certain whether Jesus saw both monuments as they appear today. House of Caiaphas (9:30 pm to 6:30 am next day) 1. Jesus was brought before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the High Priest. John 18:12–13: So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 2. Christ was brought before Caiaphas, the High Priest. Matthew 26:57: Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 3. While at the house of Caiaphas, Peter denied Christ 3 times. Luke 22:61–62: And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times." 62 And he went out and wept bitterly. 4. The religious leaders condemned and beat Jesus at the house of Caiaphas. Matthew 26:65–68: Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death." 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?" 5. Judas, the disciple who betrayed Christ, hanged himself. Matthew 27:3–5: Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself." 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6. Christ most likely spent the rest of the night in a dungeon at the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest. Points of Interest Akeldama Monastery ~ The site known as the Field of Blood. The religious leaders purchased this property with the money Judas threw at their feet just before he went and hanged himself. Hinnom Valley ~ Place of idol worship in the Old Testament and Gehenna in the New Testament. Guard room where Jesus was beaten. It overlooks the dungeon where Jesus spent the night. It has rings in the walls where Jesus would have been tied up and beaten. Dungeon where it’s believed Christ was placed the night after He was tried and condemned by Caiaphas. Ruins and excavations outside the church at ground level. A stairway beside the church that was used for ascending and descending from Mount Zion to the Kidron Valley. Jesus and His disciples most likely used them as they traveled from the Upper Room, where they had celebrated the Passover meal, to the Garden of Gethsemane. In the church courtyard is a statue that recalls the events of Peter’s denial of Jesus. It shows Peter, the rooster that crowed, a maid, a servant, and a Roman soldier. Model of Jerusalem ~ 600 AD. Pilate's Palace (7:00 am) 1. Early the next morning Christ was brought before Pilate to be judged. John 18:28-29: Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters , so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 Therefore Pilate came out to them and said, "What accusation are you bringing against this Man?" Luke 23:1-6: Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” 5 But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” 6 On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod , who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 2. Jesus appeared before King Herod (Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great). Luke 23:5–7: But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place." 6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod , who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. Luke 23:11: And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 3. Jesus is returned to Pilate, and the Jewish leaders seek the death penalty for Jesus by crucifixion. John 18:30-31: They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not a criminal, we would not have handed Him over to you." 31 So Pilate said to them, "Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law." The Jews said to him, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." 32 This happened so that the word of Jesus which He said, indicating what kind of death He was going to die, would be fulfilled." 4. Pilate talks with Jesus inside his palace. John 18:33: Therefore Pilate entered the Praetorium again, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, "You are the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you about Me?" 5. Pilate comes outside his palace and speaks again with the Jewish leaders. John 18:38: And after saying this, he came out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no grounds at all for charges in His case. 6. Jesus appeared again before Pilate, and his wife warned him about condemning Jesus. Barabbas was released. Matthew 27:19–23: While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21 But the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify Him!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!” 7. Pilate has Jesus flogged inside his palace. John 19:1–3: So Pilate then took Jesus and had Him flogged. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it on His head, and put a purple cloak on Him; 3 and they repeatedly came up to Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapped Him in the face again and again. 8. Pilate comes out again with Jesus to the Jewish leaders after flogging Jesus. John 19:4–7: And then Pilate came out again and said to them, "See, I am bringing Him out to you so that you will know that I find no grounds at all for charges in His case." 5 Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold, the Man!" 6 So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they shouted, saying, "Crucify, crucify!" Pilate said to them, "Take Him yourselves and crucify Him; for I find no grounds for charges in His case!" 7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law He ought to die, because He made Himself out to be the Son of God!" 9. Pilate goes back inside his palace and speaks with Jesus again. John 19:8–12: Therefore, when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; 9 and he entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to Him, "Are you not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" 11 Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason, the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin." 12 As a result of this, Pilate made efforts to release Him; but the Jews shouted, saying, "If you release this Man, you are not a friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar!" 10. Pilate comes out again with Jesus and speaks to the Jewish Leaders. John 19:13: Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement—but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 11. Pilate condemned Jesus to death by crucifixion. Matthew 27:24–26: So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." 25 And all the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified . Points of Interest 1. Herod-Pilate's Palace Complex Palace Fortress Towers Courtyard Soldier Barracks Stone Walls from the Time of Jesus 2. Dirt Level Before Excavation of This Site In the 1970s, the city's western wall was excavated from the Jaffa Gate to the southwest corner. 3. Open Country Simon of Cyrene is obligated to carry Christ's cross. He is coming from outside the city when this takes place. Luke 23:26: And when they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. 4. Entrance Walls and Steps Leading Up to Pilate's Palace and the Judgment Seat Area 5. Preserved Stone Pavement (Gabbatha) John 19:13: Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement—but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 6. Gate Entrance to Pilate’s Palace 7. Steps Leading Up to the Gate Entrance to Pilate's Palace 8. Preserved Wall of Herod the Great 9. Bema Seat – Judgment Seat John 19:13: Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement—but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 10. Bema Seat Stone 11. Additional Level with Stone Pavement Via Dolorosa (8:30 am) 1. Jesus was led out to be crucified at Golgotha. John 19:16–17: So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 2. Because Christ’s body was so physically damaged, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry Christ’s cross the rest of the way. Matthew 27:32–33: As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull).” 3. Jaffa Gate It's very likely Jesus was led inside Jerusalem at this point and then led out at the Gennath Gate. This was likely because the Romans always sought to inflict maximum humiliation on their criminals. 4. Gennath Gate On the way to Golgotha, there is a gate leading out of Jerusalem that would have existed in the time of Jesus. Golgotha - Church of the Holy Sepulchre (9:00 am) The amount of evidence supporting this place as Golgotha, the place Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead, is overwhelming. Here are just a few to mention. There are 2,000 years of archaeological evidence, including eyewitness accounts, a temple to the false god Jupiter and Venus built over it by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 135 AD, churches, buildings, and coins, that support it. There are 11 eyewitness historical accounts from 60 to 650 AD that place Golgotha at this current site. Josephus Flavius ~ Jewish historian. Roman Emperor Hadrian ~ Who built a temple to Jupiter and Venus over Golgotha. Melito of Sardis ~ The first to compile the Christian Old Testament canon. Origen of Alexandria Jerome ~ Who translated the Hebrew and Greek Bibles into Latin. Eusebius ~ Historian and Bishop from Caesarea Maritima. Roman Emperor Constantine Constantine's mother, Helena. Pilgrim of Bardot Basilica of Santa Pudenziana in Rome Madaba Map in Jordan All archaeologists support this site as the location of Golgotha. Garden Tomb was proposed as an alternative site in 1850 AD. It's an Old Testament tomb dating to around 700 BC. It has no ruins, as eyewitnesses have mentioned. No archaeologists support it as Golgotha. 1. Station 10: Jesus is stripped of his robe. John 19:24: When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining . This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 2. Station 11: Jesus is nailed to the cross. 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. 3. Jesus was crucified at 9:00 Friday morning on Passover day. Mark 15:25: And it was the third hour (9:00 am) when they crucified him. Station 12: Jesus is crucified on the cross. 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.” Remarkably, the first words recorded from Jesus' mouth are "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). The Apostle John was the only apostle present at Jesus' crucifixion. The rest of them were in hiding, probably in the Upper Room. John and Jesus’ mother, Mary, were both close enough to the cross to hear Jesus tell Mary, His mother, “Behold your son” (John 19:26), and to John, “Behold your mother” (John 19:27). Christ on the Cross. Matthew 27:34–37: They offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Jesus was mocked by those who passed by, the chief priests, scribes, and elders. Matthew 27:38–43: Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" One of the robbers who was crucified with Christ embraced Him as his Savior. Luke 23:39–43: One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus dies on the Cross (3:00 pm) . Luke 23:46–49: 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. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. From noon until 3:00 pm, darkness fell on the earth. Matthew 27:45–50: Now from the sixth hour [12:00 pm] there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour [3:00 pm]. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, "This man is calling Elijah." 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. There was an earthquake, the temple curtain was torn in two, and many people rose from the dead and appeared to others. Matthew 27:51–53: And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split . 52 The tombs also 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 went into the holy city and appeared to many. Beside the crucifixion spot, the rock of Golgotha shows a split from this earthquake. The split rock of Golgotha can also be seen below the crucifixion site. Station 13 ~ Shrine of Mary 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.” 4. Stone of Unction ~ Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. John 19:38–42: 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. 41 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. Gennath Gate means Garden Gate Recent excavations beneath the church floor have revealed garden soil and vegetation. 5. Station 14: Jesus is placed in the tomb (6:00 pm) , and rises from the dead three days later. The tomb of Jesus was secured by the Romans. Matthew 27:65–66: Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. Jesus rises from the dead (early Sunday morning) . Matthew 28:1-10: After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen , just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” John 20:1-18: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene. 11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. Faith Lesson 1. Christ was beaten on at least 3 occasions, and His body was so damaged that He couldn't even carry His cross. 2. Christ suffered both physically and spiritually for us. What He suffered spiritually was far more than His physical suffering. 3. He suffered the penalty of eternity in hell for each person who trusts in Him as their Savior. Isaiah 53:5: But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. 4. Words fail to express what Christ went through for us so He could restore us to Himself and have an eternal relationship with us. What about us? Do we comprehend and appreciate this reality?. 5. Because of His great sacrifice, we can have our sins forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life. Have you received Christ as your Lord and Savior?

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is believed to be the place where Christ was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. Take an in-depth tour of all the places inside the church. Church of the Holy Sepulchre In-depth Tour Photo Gallery Places of Interest Church of the Holy Sepulchre Introduction Welcome to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Sepulchre means tomb. It is the final destination of the Via Dolorosa, and the last five stations are located there. 1. The amount of evidence supporting this place as Golgotha, the place Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead, is overwhelming. Here are a few examples. Archaeological evidence spans 2,000 years and includes eyewitness accounts, a temple to the false god Jupiter and Venus built over it by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 135 AD, churches, buildings, and coins. Four ancient historians claim that this site became a holy shrine venerating Jesus after He rose from the dead, up to 135 AD, including the famous Jewish historian Josephus. Six eyewitness historians from 160 to 450 AD place Golgotha at this current site. Among these are Origen of Alexandria, Jerome, and Eusebius, highly reliable sources. All archaeologists support this site as the location of Golgotha. 2. It was located outside the city walls of Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified. 3. Because of its 2,000-year history, it's hard to picture how it was in its natural state. We will provide images to help you understand what it was like. 4 . The place of crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus are not far apart in the church. This is biblical: 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. 5. There are over 35 significant places to see inside this church. They all testify to the events of Jesus and what happened here. 6. Some people have a problem with the atmosphere of the church. However, what would we expect from a place venerated for around 2,000 years by different cultures and time periods? 7. We are fully convinced this is the place. 8. Another site known as the Garden Tomb was proposed as an alternative site in 1850 AD. God bless the Garden Tomb, but it lacks historical support. Additionally, the tomb there is an Old Testament tomb dating to around 700 BC. No archaeologists support it as Golgotha. 10. Let's explore and experience this site, realizing it is the very place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. Brief History A road passed by a 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 became a garden with a nearby cistern and pool. 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. 33-135 AD: People venerated it in its natural state. 135 AD: Roman Emperor Hadrian erected a statue of the Roman god Jupiter (Zeus) over Jesus' tomb, and a statue of Venus (Aphrodite) over the site of His crucifixion. 326 AD: Roman Emperor Constantine destroyed the temple that Hadrian had built and erected the Church of the Holy Sepulchre over the site of Golgotha. 614 AD: Persians severely damaged Constantine's church. 1009 AD: Muslims from Egypt destroyed the church. 1112 AD: Crusaders rebuilt the church. What we see today of the church primarily dates back to the Crusader period. 1808 AD: The church was renovated. We can still see all this history in the church today. Today, we refer to this church as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The word Sepulchre means tomb, and a tomb is where you put someone who has died. But when Constantine built the first church here, Christians didn’t focus on the death of Jesus. They focused on His resurrection, so during the Byzantine era, this entire room was called the Church of the Anastasis, not the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In other words, it wasn’t the church of the tomb. It was the church of the resurrection. In-depth Tour of the Church 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 church has about thirty chapels, and because six denominations control them, rules had to be established to define who does what inside. When the Status Quo went into effect, whoever controlled certain rooms in the church remained the custodian of those rooms from that point forward. 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. Chapels next to the plaza area. Front left (closest to the church) ~ Chapel of the Forty Martyrs. Middle left ~ Chapel of St. John Closest left ~ Chapel of St. James the Less Front right (closest to the church) ~ Access leading up to the Ethiopian Chapels and the church roof. Middle right ~ Chapel of St. James Closest right ~ Orthodox Monastery 3. The Chapel of the Franks ~ Via Dolorosa Station 10 Jesus is stripped of his robe. John 19:24: When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining . This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. The Franks were a collection of European tribes that became the dominant political power in Western Europe. They all converted to Catholicism, and the Franks built this chapel. 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. You can see it behind glass panels by going up the stairs. Around 1125 AD, this doorway was installed to benefit both nighttime visitors and the poor, who could not afford the entrance fee charged by the Muslim landlords for worship in the church. 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. 4. The Blocked Door Looking at the church, one can see that the right door is blocked off. That happened in 1187 AD, shortly after the church was built. The Muslims, who were the custodians of the church at that time, tried to control who was entering to charge an admission fee. They couldn’t do this very well when there were two doors, so they limited the entrance to only one door – the door that went past the money table as people entered the church. 5. Entrance Door to the Church Immediately after the Islamic takeover in 637 AD, the Caliph Omar appointed the Muslim Nusseibeh family to open and close the church doors daily. After the Crusades, around 1200 AD, the Islamic ruler, Saladin, retained the Nusseibeh family to open and close the doors. He also appointed the Muslim Joudeh family to keep the church key in their home. This tradition continues to this day. 6. Columns to the Left of the Door Since around 850 AD, the Greek Orthodox Church has celebrated a ritual called Holy Fire inside the church at noon on each Saturday before Easter. In this ritual, the Orthodox priest enters the Holy Tomb, emerges with all his candles lit, and passes the fire from one person to the next. According to Greek tradition, in 1579 AD, the Turkish soldiers in charge of the church did not allow any visitors to enter for the annual Holy Fire ritual. According to legend, the Greek patriarch of Jerusalem, Sophronius IV, stood outside in the courtyard praying. When the sky was dark, the stone column in the center split open (you can see the crack), and holy fire poured from the fissure. Sophronius then used this fire to light all of the candles in the courtyard. Seeing this miracle, the Turks allowed all the worshippers to enter the church, and the Holy Fire celebration has been observed every year to this day. 7. Stairway Leading to Golgotha Jesus was crucified at the summit of a small hill. To ascend the hill of Golgotha today, start at the church entrance, turn right, and climb the 800-year-old stairs leading to Calvary (Golgotha), where Jesus was crucified. The Crusaders built this stairway and a platform around 1187 at the level of Golgotha so pilgrims could be at the same level as where Jesus was crucified. 8. 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 being nailed to the cross. Mary is wearing black, indicating she is in mourning. The other two figures in this mosaic seem 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 wearing ordinary clothes. The Abraham Mosaic depicts Abraham attempting to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Some believe this is the place where Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac. The sacrificial ram, with its head caught in thorns, is related to the mosaic above the altar, where a crown of thorns surrounds Jesus' head. In the same way Isaac carried wood to be sacrificed, Jesus carried his wood, the cross, to be crucified. In the same way Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son whom he loved, God sacrificed His Son, whom He loved. 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. 9. Rock of Calvary The rock of Calvary is under a glass cover on either side of the main altar. Calvary is the Latin equivalent of the word Golgotha, which means “the place of the skull.” 10. Crucifixion Altar ~ Via Dolorosa Station 12 This is where Christ was crucified. In 393 AD, Jerome, who lived in Bethlehem and translated Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts into Latin, stated that the cross stood not just near this hill but literally “on the hill” where the altar of Calvary is now located. This confirms that the place now venerated as the location of the cross is authentic. A silver disk with a central hole lies beneath 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.” Remarkably, the first words recorded from Jesus' mouth are "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). The Apostle John was the only apostle present at Jesus' crucifixion. The rest of them were in hiding, probably in the Upper Room. John and Jesus’ mother, Mary, were both close enough to the cross to hear Jesus tell His mother, “Behold your son” (John 19:26), and to John, “Behold your mother” (John 19:27). 11. 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.” 12. Chapel of Adam It was initially called "The Church of Golgotha" but was later renamed the "Chapel of Adam" because many believed Adam was buried there. 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. The front of this chapel features an apse, indicating that a small church was once located here, commemorating Golgotha and the crucifixion. Just outside the chapel, you can also see part of the original rock of Golgotha. 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. 13. Greek Orthodox Treasury It is located next to the Chapel of Adam on the church's ground floor, near the base of Calvary (Golgotha). It is typically closed to the public. It contains: A small piece of wood is believed to be from the True Cross of Jesus Christ. Skullcap of John the Baptist Right hand of Mary Magdalene Finger of the Apostle Andrew 14. T he Stone of Unction Located just after entering the church, it commemorates the preparation of Jesus' body for burial. The original Church of the Holy Sepulcher didn’t have a Stone of Unction. In fact, we don’t even know where Jesus’ body was anointed. Approximately 2000 years ago, Jesus was probably anointed on bare rock or topsoil, as this location was a garden at the time. The Crusaders were the first to place a marble slab here around 1125 AD, but it was destroyed in the 1808 fire. The slab that you see here is its replacement. It is almost exactly the same distance from the crucifixion site, marked by the Altar of Calvary, as it is from the Tomb of Jesus, which is probably why the Crusaders placed it there. 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. 15. Mosaic by the Stone of Unction Just above the Stone of Unction is a large mosaic depicting a timeline of Jesus' death, anointing, and burial. The events in this mosaic are not only told in chronological order from right to left but also in geographic order. 16. Mourning Place ~ Holy Women Monument 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. 17. Altar of the Myrrh-Bearing Women Just to the right, before entering the rotunda, is an altar dedicated to the women who came to anoint Jesus’ body with spices and perfumes on Sunday morning, after He had already been resurrected. Matthew and Mark say that there were many women in this group, among whom were the three Marys – Mary, his mother, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the wife of Clopas. In the Bible, we read about how these women watched Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea to see where Jesus was buried. They did this because Jesus was taken down from the cross hastily, and His body was not entirely prepared for burial. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea had cleansed the body, but they hadn’t anointed it with spices and perfumes. The women who watched Him being buried were to complete that task on the Sunday morning after the Sabbath. 18. The Rotunda or Anastasis (the place of resurrection) For many years, the church was known as the Church of the Resurrection, rather than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which translates to 'Church of the Holy Sepulchre', referring to the 'Church of the Holy Tomb'. The dome holds great significance. It has a hole in the center, and when the daytime sun shines through, it symbolizes Jesus – the Light of the World. The 12 rays emanating from the skylight symbolize the multidirectional ministry of the 12 Apostles as they spread the Gospel's light throughout the world. 120 stars surround the bottom of this dome. These stars symbolize the 120 people who were baptized in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, when the church was born. The apostles, along with the 120 who were part of the early church, look down upon us today, hoping that we will carry out the mission of the church. 19. Tomb of Jesus ~ Via Dolorosa Station 14 Underneath the church's large dome (the Rotunda) lies Jesus' tomb. It is housed in a large shrine called an Edicule. All of human history revolves around what happened inside this little building 2000 years ago. This is the tomb of Jesus Christ – the place where He was buried, and where He rose from the dead. The word edicule is Latin for "little house," and it’s generally used to describe a building constructed over tombs. Four edicules have covered Jesus' tomb. When you go inside the tomb, you are only a few inches away from the place where Jesus was laid to rest, and where He rose from the dead three days later. The rotunda is not only the primary focus of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but is the center of all Christianity. The stone that sealed the tomb is housed in the Church of Saint Savior on Mount Zion. It was originally Joseph’s tomb that he gave to Jesus. It differed from other tombs in that it was a bench-type tomb, where Jesus lay parallel to the wall. This type of tomb was more expensive to build because it required labor to carve out an entire room around the burial bench. 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. The second room of the burial tomb contains bedrock from the original tomb. To the right is the bench where Jesus's body would have been laid. When you walk into the Edicule, you’re following in the footsteps of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, the wealthy man who carved this tomb out of solid limestone. When you look into the tomb, you’ll be doing exactly what the Apostles Peter, John, and Mary Magdalene did when they looked into His empty tomb. When you walk out of the tomb, you will follow the same path as Jesus Himself when He walked out into the early morning air on Resurrection Sunday. 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 slab covering the tomb, and they discovered an older marble slab with a carved cross beneath it. Underneath it was Christ's original limestone burial bed. 20. 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. 21. Syrian Chapel ~ First Century Tombs The chapel is located within the original 4th-century walls of Constantine's church. The Syrian Orthodox Church uses this room every Sunday for worship, and it claims to be the world's oldest Christian denomination. The Syrian church worships in the first-century language of Aramaic, and its Bible is written in Syriac, which is closely related to Aramaic. According to tradition, the Apostles Peter and John founded the Syrian Church, which originated in the first century in Antioch. Here, as recorded in Acts 11:26, followers of Christ were first called Christians. This room contains five tombs dating 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 and secret disciples of Christ, who laid Him in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb. 22. 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 meaning "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 world's center. A specific spot, known as the Omphalos, is situated exactly halfway between the crucifixion site 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 reserved for the Patriarch of Antioch, a city in southern Turkey. The lecterns on each side of the chapel are called the Analogion. The priest reads Scripture and leads his congregation in song and holy liturgy from it 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 it, which represent heaven. Some believe the crucifixion site (Golgotha) was located at the front of this area because a dome marks it. However, the buildings were built in a straight line and for ascetic purposes, not to mark Golgotha. The chance of Golgotha being in a perfect line from the tomb to the Cardo is unrealistic. All the evidence points to Golgotha being located where it is venerated today. Even Jerome, in 393 AD, who lived in Bethlehem and translated Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts into Latin, stated that the cross stood not just near this hill but literally “on the hill” where the altar of Calvary is now located. This confirms that the place now venerated as the location of the cross is authentic. 23. Chapel of Mary Magdalene Between the church's rotunda and the Arches of the Virgin lies 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 is a bronze statue depicting Mary Magdalene's encounter with Jesus. High on the opposite side is the pipe organ that accompanies the worship services celebrated here. The floor tiles are new, but they follow the same pattern as in the 11th century. The circle with the rays marks where Jesus stood when He and Mary first met after His resurrection, and the three concentric circles mark where Mary Magdalene stood when she saw Him. John 20:14-16: At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 24. 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. 25. 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 when Mary visited Jesus' tomb, where He appeared to her after His resurrection. This legendary appearance to Mary is not mentioned in the Bible, but is 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. Holes in this wall once held large marble panels that adorned the rotunda over Jesus' tomb. 26. Northern Wall of Constantine's Church This wall was part of the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and there are holes in it that once supported large marble panels that adorned the martyrium. When the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre was completed in 335 AD, this area was part of a large worship hall called the Martyrium. All the columns in this original martyrium were square. However, in 1009 AD, the entire church was destroyed. Thirty-nine years later, in 1048 AD, the church was completely reconstructed, and the builders switched from square pillars to round ones, although a couple of square pillars remain in this gallery. 27. 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. This prison likely did not exist during the crucifixion of Jesus, as it was located outside the city walls, and the Gospels make no mention of Jesus spending time in a prison at Golgotha. It is believed that Jesus was imprisoned overnight at the House of the High Priest, Caiaphas, ot here at Golgotha. Today, this prison serves as a commemorative chapel where one can pray and contemplate Jesus' imprisonment leading up to His crucifixion. 28. The Ambulatory A long, curved hallway runs around the church behind the main worship hall, the Catholicon. This hallway is called the Ambulatory. When you walk through it, starting at the Chapel of Adam, it feels like a miniature Via Dolorosa. Three chapels line the right side of this hallway, telling 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 29. St. Longinus Chapel Longinus was the Roman Centurion who commanded the soldiers who stood watch at Golgotha. He witnessed 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, many Christian denominations revere Longinus as a saint because they believe he converted to Christianity after Jesus' crucifixion. That’s why a large statue of Longinus stands in Saint Peter’s Cathedral in Rome today. Tradition says Longinus was martyred in Cappadocia. 30. 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 Jesus’ outer garment into four parts and then held a kind of lottery to see which one of them would walk away with His tunic, which He wore under His robe. His tunic had no 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. 31. 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 fulfills an Old Testament prophecy. The picture on the right shows Jesus during one of His trials, where the Jewish rulers are mocking him. This fulfills 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. This fulfilled prophecies in Psalms 35 and 69, as well as Isaiah 50. The picture on the left shows Jesus walking through a crowd that jeers and yells at Him. This fulfills 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. 32. Chapel of St. Helena Descending the stairs into this chapel, one can see ancient crosses carved into the walls from the 1100s. This area was filled with dirt when Hadrian built his temple to Jupiter and Venus here. Helena destroyed the temple that Hadrian had built, removed the dirt from this area, and exposed it. She built a stairway tunnel leading down to this area because she found part of Jesus' cross there. Helena had pillars constructed to support the floor above it. To the left of the chapel, a section of the structural wall that Hadrian built remains visible 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 at Christianity’s holiest sites, beginning with this location. The Crusaders gave this chapel its common name, but the current custodians, the Armenian Apostolic Church, renamed it after their patron Saint. They now call it 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 floor mosaic 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. 33. Chapel of the Discovery of the Cross Down a flight of stairs 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 everything to be buried or cleaned up before the Sabbath began. 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 Catholic custody, and its altar features a life-sized statue of 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. 34. Chapel of Saint Vartan This chapel is normally closed to the public, and you must make special arrangements 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, workers made a hole in the wall and, when they broke through, discovered archaeological ruins dating 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. 35. Ethiopian Chapels ~ accessed from the plaza area outside the church, going up stairs to the roof of the church. Ethiopian Chapel St. Michael Ethiopian Chapel of the Four Living Creatures 36. Ethiopian Monastery ~ on the roof of the church. Since around 350 AD, monks from Ethiopia have lived in Jerusalem. Ethiopian monks are still here in a very primitive monastery. The monastery is called Deir es-Sultan, and Ethiopians have lived on the roof since 1654 AD. Approximately twenty monks reside here in small huts that resemble traditional African clay homes. 37. Dome over the Chapel of St. Helena This is located on the roof of the church. 38. Original Entrance to Hadrian's Temple and Constantine's Church From the Cardo today, you can see the original entrance to Hadrian's Temple and Constantine's Church. 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 for having a living relationship with Him?

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See the complete history of the temple and Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Archaeological, historical, and eyewitness accounts place the location of the first and second temples directly on top of the Dome of the Rock. Sites covered include: Original Altar Location, Muslim Platform, Solomon's Porticos, Hasmonean & King Herod's Additions to the Temple Mount, Western Wall, Eastern Gate, Southern Stairs, Antonia Fortress, Royal Stoa Temple Mount Overview Photo Gallery Places of Interest Temple Mount Overview Introduction Welcome to this major biblical site of the Temple Mount. This is one of the most significant sites in Israel, and there is no place like it. 1. God, in his sovereignty, chose to dwell in a unique way in Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Psalm 122:6: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you! Psalm 132:13-14: For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: 14 “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 2. Right here, where the Dome of the Rock stands, is where the Temple Solomon built was dedicated. The glory of the Lord appeared in such power and glory that the priests had to stop what they were doing and behold it. 3. We'll be seeing and talking about all the major things that happened here. 4. About one-tenth of all the stories about Jesus took place on the Temple Mount. 5. We'll see the following: The original location of the Temple Mount built by Solomon. The expansions of the Temple Mount by the Hasmoneans and Herod the Great. The Antonia Fortress The Eastern Gate Solomon's Portico Most likely place Pentecost happened. Royal Stoa Temple layout. We'll stand where the Holy Place and the Altar of the Temple were. We'll walk in the footsteps of Jesus and see where He ministered and overturned the money changers' tables. We'll discuss all the other major events that occurred here. 6. We'll also see the Dome of the Rock Shrine, the Al Asqa Mosque, and much more. 7. This will be a highlight, so you'll want to soak it all in. Let's explore and experience this site. Location 1. The Temple Mount is located on the eastern side of Old City Jerusalem 2. It occupies 1/6 of the current city. 3. It is 35 acres (14 hectares) in size, the equivalent of 35 football fields. Places of Interest 1 . Location of Solomon's original Temple Mount Platform. Archaeological, historical, and eyewitness accounts place the first and second temples directly above the Dome of the Rock. According to the Mishnah (Jewish writings on various aspects of Jewish law, customs, measurements, and so forth), the original Temple Mount Platform measured 500 cubits by 500 cubits . Using the royal cubit , the standard unit of the time (20.67 inches, or 52.5 cm ), Solomon's original Temple Mount Platform measured 861 ft (262.5 m) on each side . Amazingly, evidence supports these exact measurements on each side of Solomon's original platform. 2. The Southwest corner of the original Temple Mount Platform that Solomon built. This can be located through archaeological work at Barclay's Gate. 3. Western side of the original platform. Warren's Gate: Evidence can be seen at an additional gate called “Warren’s Gate,” which is found butted up against the original 500-cubit Temple Mount Platform beneath the platform surface. Western Wall location today. 4. Dome of the Rock Platform Solomon's original Temple Mount Platform was at approximately the same level. 5. Northwestern Corner of Solomon's Original Temple Platform Evidence from massive stones dating back to the time of Solomon or Hezekiah is visible today. They run parallel with the Eastern Wall. The boss can't be seen today because it's covered in stone tiles, but photos from the 1960s show it. The boss's style is from the time of Solomon or Hezekiah. This same style of stone can be seen at the base of the Eastern Gate. The distance from this corner to the eastern wall of the Temple Mount platform is exactly 500 cubits (861 ft or 262.5 m). 6. Antonia Fortress The Jewish historian Josephus writes that it was built on bedrock. You can see the bedrock on which it was built. A grade school is currently located there. Steps led from the Temple Mount up to the Antonia Fortress. This is where Paul addressed the angry crowd below. Acts 21:34-36: Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps , he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!” The rock face has holes or sockets where beams for the portico that ran along its southern side were attached. 7. Northern Side of the Original Temple Mount Platform This is on the same line as the northern part of the Dome of the Rock platform today. Evidence of a pre-Herodian wall was found underground by cistern 29. 8. Eastern Side of the Original Temple Mount Platform Just north of where the northern wall of the 500-cubit mount platform meets the Eastern Wall, we find an offset in the wall located 68 ft (20.73 ms) to the north. This offset indicates that a tower once stood at this corner for protection. Measuring from where the northern wall of the 500-cubit Temple Mount Platform meets the Eastern Wall, going south, we find a curious bend in the wall at exactly 861 ft (262.5 m). This bend in the wall resulted from later construction added to the 500-cubit Temple Mount Platform during the Hasmonean period, around 140 BC. Its construction used a slightly different angle than the original platform. The stone style also changes. The stones beyond the bend have a boss shape dating to the Hasmonean period. The stone layout and configuration also indicate that a corner once stood at this bend in the wall. Further down the Eastern Wall, we see a seam in the construction. The stone styles change, and the stones are butted up against each other. This marks the beginning of Herod the Great's expansion of the Temple Mount Platform. 9. Eastern Gate In the Eastern Gate area, we also see ancient stones with boss shapes dating to the time of Solomon or Hezekiah. Notably, the location of the Eastern Wall remained unchanged throughout the history of the Temple Mount. This is due to the Kidron Valley and its steep decline on this side. Again, these ancient stones show that the eastern side of the 500-cubit Temple Mount Platform dates back to the time of Solomon or Hezekiah. 10. Solomon's Portico Important gathering place. Acts 5:12: Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico . 11. Muslim Excavations In 1999, the WAQF, the Jordanian body that retains authority over the Temple Mount and other Muslim holy places, used bulldozers to remove some 10,000 tons of dirt (400 dump truck loads) from the area known as King Solomon’s Stables to create an emergency exit for the Marwani Mosque, which can accommodate 10,000 people. They dumped it in the Kidron Valley. Israelis took this dirt to a location on Mount Scopus, where it is now being sifted. This is known as the "Sifting Project." Its contents reveal overwhelming evidence that the Temple Mount is the authentic location of the original temple. Researchers have found the original stone tiles of Herod's renovated Temple Mount platform. Until 1920, Muslim pamphlets describing the Dome of the Rock stated that it was built directly over the site where the original temple once stood. Today, the stairs descend to the Al-Marwani Mosque, inaugurated in 1996, located under the Temple Mount in the area once called Solomon's Stables by the Crusaders. 12. Royal Stoa Pentecost most likely happened at the southern end of the Temple Mount, in the area of the Royal Stoa. Pentecost likely did not occur in the Upper Room, as a multitude gathered to witness this astounding event. The Upper Room couldn’t have held a crowd of 15,000–30,000. Scripture says the Holy Spirit's coming filled a house. It doesn’t mention the Upper Room. In many places in the Bible, the temple is called the House of the Lord or simply the house. The Hebrew word for "house" in Acts 2:2 is "Har Ha Bait," which means "the mountain of THE house," or "the dwelling place of God." "House" can also refer to just a covered area. At the southern side of the Temple Mount, just above the Southern Stairs, was the Royal Stoa. The coming of the Holy Spirit occurred at 9:00 a.m., the time of morning prayers at the temple. The disciples frequently visited the temple during these prayer times. The Temple Mount and Southern Stair area could easily have accommodated the large crowd of around 150,000 who gathered at Pentecost. Acts 2:41 says 3,000 were saved and baptized. Around the Southern Stairs are many mikveh cleansing pools that could have been used to baptize those who were saved. The southern part of the Temple Mount would have been a natural place for Pentecost to occur, as it was a center of public activity. The Upper Room area was a residential neighborhood, and there's no reason 150,000 people would have been there when the events of Pentecost happened that drew such a large crowd. It would have been virtually impossible for Peter to preach to a multitude in narrow streets and so forth. This area also had all the mikvehs necessary for baptizing, as well as space to accommodate such a large crowd. 13. Southern Stairs Area Trumpeter's Stone Destroyed Roman Street by Robinson's Arch 14. South end of the Temple Mount Platform: slightly different length, measured 495 cubits, 853 ft., 260 m. It's believed that this was due to the Ophel rise, which made it difficult to build over. 15. Al Aqsa Mosque It was built around 685 to 715 AD. It has been rebuilt and restored many times. When the Crusaders controlled the area, they called it "The Temple of Solomon." Only Muslims are allowed inside. The Israeli police may enter only if necessary. The mosque can hold around 5,000 people. 16. Ancient Stone Steps These are original stones from the time of Herod or earlier, which would have been steps leading from the Court of the Gentiles to the Outer Court of the Temple. 17. Dome of the Rock It was built in 691 AD. It sits exactly over where the original temples stood. Inside is a square-shaped area where the Ark of the Covenant would have been placed. When the Crusaders controlled it, they called it "The Temple of the Lord." It is a Muslim shrine today. Only Muslims may enter. All others may enter only with permission. 18. Recycled Decorated Stone from a Byzantine Church This is found at the base of the Dome of the Rock, just to the right of the main entrance facing east. This was placed here during Turkish times. It has some crosses that have been scratched away. 19. Baptistry Chapel from the Byzantine Period The baptismal tank is near the chapel. 20. The Temple Treasury It is located on the north side of the Temple sanctuary. The most notable words of Jesus in this location are “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32), and ‘Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). About one-tenth of all the stories about Jesus took place on the Temple Mount. 21. Dome of the Spirits Also known as the Dome of the Tablets, this small dome was constructed around 950 AD during the Muslim Umayyad Period. One theory suggests it sits above the “Spirits Cave,” where the spirits of the dead gather for prayer. Another theory, called the Dome of the Tablets, refers to the tablets kept inside the Ark of the Covenant, implying this might be the location of the Holy of Holies—a theory most scholars dispute. It was built on a large Herodian paving stone measuring 12 feet (3.70m) by 11.5 feet (3.50m). According to Warren’s survey maps, it sits about 10 feet (3m) above the natural bedrock. It was part of the pavement laid north of the buildings surrounding the Temple. 22. Original Temple Location Holy of Holies According to the Mishnah, only a rectangular depression in the bedrock remained where the Ark once stood. This exact shape has been identified inside the Dome of the Rock. Holy Place Altar Nicanor Gate/Beautiful Gate Inner Court Outer Court Court of the Gentiles 23. Threshing floor of Arunah (Ornan), the Jebusite that David purchased. 24. Dome of the Chain Located just east of the Dome of the Rock, this would be the site of the Holy Place in the original temples. 25. Dome of the Prophet Located just northwest of the Dome of the Rock Built in 1539 AD, it is traditionally believed that Muhammad led the former Jewish prophets (including Jesus) and angels in prayer at this spot on the night he ascended into heaven. 26. Dome of the Ascension Located just north of the Dome of the Prophet. It was built sometime between the 7th and 10th centuries AD. Some believe it was built on the spot from which Muhammad ascended into Heaven on his night journey. Historical Background 1. The Temple Mount has played a “center stage” role for much of Israel’s history and has functioned as the center of God’s dwelling place and ministry on this earth. 2. It will also play a key part during the Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth. 3. God has chosen to focus His presence and attention there like a laser beam from heaven, like no other place. 4. First Temple: the temple Solomon built. The Babylonians destroyed it in 586 BC. 5. Second Temple: the temple Zerubbabel oversaw after the deportation and return of the Jews. It was finished and dedicated in 515 BC. 6. King Herod’s Temple: This was a delicate project since it would involve the careful dismantling of Zerubbabel’s temple and the construction of the new temple. In consultation with religious leaders, Herod first prepared all the necessary materials for the new temple to assure the Jews that he would build it after dismantling the old one. Construction of Herod's temple began in 20 BC. Because the Temple sacrifices didn't cease, it's another reason it's called the Second Temple. 7. The term "Second Temple" is a designation used for both Zerubbabel's and Herod’s temples. When Herod rebuilt the temple, it was considered a reestablishment and remodeling of the temple Zerubbabel had built. Thus, it was considered part of the Second Temple rather than a different building. 8. The temple itself was built in a year and a half, and the surrounding porticos and courtyards in eight years. However, construction of the whole complex continued for more than 80 years from its beginning and was only completed in 63 AD. 9. Herod's temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. 10. Interestingly, both temples were destroyed on the same day (the 9th of Av, normally mid-August). This date is observed today by the Jews and entails fasting, prayer, deprivation, and mourning. 11. According to the Mishnah, Herod’s temple was 100 cubits (172 feet/52.5 meters) long, wide, and high (Middot 4.6) and, like Solomon’s temple, divided into three rooms: the porch, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. The Dome of the Rock measures approximately 20 meters (66 feet) in diameter and 35 meters (115 feet) in height. Herod's temple was over twice as high as the Dome of the Rock. 12. According to biblical law (Exodus 23, 34, and Deuteronomy 16), all Jewish males were required to appear “before the Lord” (i.e., at the temple) three times a year. The three festivals are Passover, Shavuot (also known as Weeks/Pentecost), and Sukkot (also known as Tabernacles or Booths). 13. The most solemn yearly festival celebrated at the temple was the Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16. This festival was held on the tenth day of the seventh month, which began with Rosh Hashanah, marking the start of the fall of the new year, four days before the Feast of Tabernacles. 14. The temple is a central feature in the Gospel narratives of the life and ministry of Jesus. The Gospel of Luke opens in the temple with the angel Gabriel's appearance to the priest Zacharias, who was officiating at the incense altar in the Holy Place (Luke 1:5–24). The Gospel of Luke ends with a note that the disciples of Jesus, after his ascension, “were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God” (Luke 24:53). 15. The Gospel of John portrays Jesus explicitly as a fulfillment of some of the symbols of the temple and its festivals. A passage at the beginning of John describes Jesus as the Tabernacle, saying, “and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). 16. About one-tenth of all the stories about Jesus took place on the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount in the Bible 1. The Temple Mount is also called Mount Moriah and was the place where Abraham was to sacrifice his son Isaac to God. Genesis 22:1–2: After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." 2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." 2. King David purchased the original Temple Mount when it was a threshing floor to build an altar to the Lord. 1 Chronicles 21:18: Now the angel of the LORD had commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and raise an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan [also called Araunah] the Jebusite. 3. King Solomon then built the Temple in this exact location. 2 Chronicles 3:1: Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to David his father, at the place that David had appointed, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 4. During the dedication of Solomon’s temple, the glory of the Lord filled it in such a way that the priests had to suspend their activities until God’s glory subsided. 1 Kings 8:10–11: And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. 5. The prophets spoke to the nation of Israel from the Temple Mount. 6. The first temple was destroyed in 586 BC by Babylon because of Israel’s continued disobedience to God. 2 Kings 24:10: At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. 7. The temple was rebuilt again from 535 to 515 BC under Zerubbabel. Ezra 6:3: In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices were offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height shall be sixty cubits and its breadth sixty cubits. 8. Nehemiah rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in 444 BC. Nehemiah 2:17: Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision. 9. The Temple Mount was enlarged enormously by King Herod in 20 BC to the size it is today. God, in His sovereignty, made the Temple Mount large enough to accommodate the crowds Jesus would teach, the 3,000 saved at Pentecost, the 5,000 saved in Acts 4, and to serve as a place where the Early Church could meet and grow. 10. Herod also made the temple more beautiful than any before it, and it was over twice as high as the current Dome of the Rock. 11. Zachariah received the vision of having a son, John the Baptist, while serving at the temple. Luke 1:13: But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” 12. Jesus was dedicated to the Lord at the temple. Luke 2:22: And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 13. At the age of 12, Jesus appeared and dialogued with the religious leaders at the temple. Luke 2:46–47: After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 14. The temple was where the Devil tempted Christ to throw himself down headlong. Luke 4:9–12: And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' 11 and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 12 And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 15. Christ taught at the temple frequently. Luke 19:47: And he was teaching daily in the temple. 16. Christ drove out the money changers on the Temple Mount. Mark 11:15–17: And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers." 17. It's possible Christ was tried before Pilate next to the Temple Mount at the Antonia Fortress. 18. Next to the Temple Mount, at the Southern Stairs, is the likely place where Pentecost took place, 3,000 were saved, and the Early Church was born. Acts 2:41: Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 19. A lame man was healed on the Temple Mount by Peter and John, causing 5,000 men to be saved. Acts 3:1–8: Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 4:4: But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 20. The Temple Mount became the meeting place of the Early Church. Acts 2:46–47: And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 21. Near the Temple Mount, Stephen was martyred (Acts 7). 22. Because Israel rejected Christ as their Messiah, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount were destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans. Luke 19:41–44: And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation. 23. The Antichrist will commit the abomination of desolation on the Temple Mount during the middle of the Tribulation Period. 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4: Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God , displaying himself as being God. 24. Christ will reign from the Temple Mount (along with believers) for 1,000 years after the Tribulation Period. Revelation 20:6: Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. Faith Lesson from the Temple Mount 1. In the Old Testament, the temple was a focal place where God dwelt. In the New Testament, believers are now God's temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16–17: Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 2. What kind of temple are we?

Hidden beneath the streets of the Old City, the Western Wall Tunnels reveal the hidden layers of Jerusalem’s history. Stretching along the length of the Western Wall, these underground passageways bring visitors face-to-face with stones from the time of the Second Temple and the engineering marvels of ancient builders. Western Wall Tunnels Tour Photo Gallery Places of Interest Western Wall Tunnels Tour Introduction Beneath the streets of Jerusalem lies a hidden world—the Western Wall Tunnels. These ancient passageways run along the base of the Temple Mount, taking us back over 2,000 years to the time of Jesus and the Second Temple. One of the most astonishing features here is a stone, measuring over 45 feet long and weighing more than 600 tons. To put that in perspective, that's the size of a full-sized city bus! How the ancient builders moved it into place remains a mystery to this day. From Herodian engineering marvels to sacred prayer chambers still in use today, this isn’t just archaeology; it’s a journey into the soul of biblical history. Join us as we uncover the deep history, spiritual significance, and architectural wonders of the Western Wall Tunnels—an unforgettable journey beneath the heart of Jerusalem. Location 1. The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall (because the Jews weep here during their prayers), is located on the western side of the Temple Mount. 2. The Western Wall Tunnel is accessed on the northern side of the Western Wall Plaza and runs north to the end of the Temple Mount Platform. Historical Background 1. When the Romans destroyed the temple in 70 AD, part of the western side of the Temple Mount Platform survived. For hundreds of years prior to 1967, people prayed in the small area of the wall that could be seen at that time. However, in 1967, following the Six-Day War, Israelis excavated below the ground level of the wall and found two more stone rows. They then cleared the area around the wall to create the Western Wall Plaza that visitors see today. 2. The Western Wall is part of the retaining wall, or support wall, that Herod the Great built in 19 BC when he enlarged the Temple Mount complex in order to accommodate a larger temple and Temple Mount area. It was a massive undertaking that required exceptional and sophisticated engineering. 3. Unlike some think, the Western Wall was not part of the wall of the temple King Herod Built. Places of Interest 1. In the Western Wall Plaza area, a walkway bridge can be seen that tourists use to access the Temple Mount. 2. The Western Wall Plaza is divided into two sections: a men’s and a women’s section. 3. The area close to the wall is considered a synagogue, so men must wear a head covering when entering the men’s section. 4. Many Jews do not enter on the Temple Mount for fear of unknowingly walking in the place where the Holy of Holies might have been. Plus, Muslims do not want them entering there as well. However, in recent years, many Jews are now going on the Temple Mount Platform and even praying there. 5. The Western Wall Plaza is the closest large public area to the temple and Holy of Holies for the Jews. Therefore, it is their most holy site. 6. On the northern side of the Western Wall is Wilson’s Arch, which is the modern name for a stone arch whose top is still visible today. It once supported a bridge that provided access to a gate that was level with the surface of the Temple Mount during the time of Jesus. Under this arch is a synagogue where Jews pray and read the Scriptures. 7. The Western Wall Plaza is only 10% of the entire western wall of the Temple Mount Platform. The majority of the wall is accessed by entering what is called “The Western Wall Tunnels.” 8. The entire length of the Western Wall is 1,575 ft. long (480 m.), almost a third of a mile (.53 km.). 9. South of the Western Wall Plaza are stones that the Romans cast down when they destroyed the city in 70 AD. under the leadership of the Roman General, Titus. 10. The broken pavement of the street that the massive stones crushed when they fell is sobering to see. 11. Burn marks remain on some of the stones as a result of fire from the Roman conquest of the city in 70 AD. 12. There are remains of shops that were part of a large shopping plaza at the southern part of the Western Wall. 13. This is the same wall that Jesus and His disciples would have seen. 14. On the Southern Stair entrance to the temple is where Jesus would have taught His disciples and entered the Temple Mount area. 15. At the southernmost end of the Western Wall is a significant stone that stood upon the uttermost southwestern corner of the Temple Mount. It has words written in Hebrew that mean “The Trumpeter’s House.” A priest would stand at this corner announcing with a loud trumpet blast the beginning of the Sabbath and other festival days the Jews celebrated. 16. Robinson's Arch: This was a large stairway access to the southwest side of the Temple Mount. 17. Barclay's Gate: This was an access on the western side of the Temple Mount. It is located just under the public walkway bridge. 18. Wilson’s Arch: It's located on the northern side of the Western Wall. It once supported a large bridge that provided access and an aqueduct to the Temple Mount. Under this arch is a men's synagogue where Jews pray and read the Scriptures. 19. Warren's Gate: Is an ancient entrance into the Temple platform in Jerusalem, located about 150 feet (46 m) into the Western Wall Tunnel. It is directly west of where the original temple once stood. 20. Struthion Pool: The pool was from the time of Herod and associated with the Antonia Fortress. Then, Hadrian covered it with two parallel vaults around 135 AD and built the paved plaza above it so it wouldn't be in the way of his plaza and gate entrance to the city. Western Wall Tunnel 1. In order to build the temple on the mountain top of Mount Moriah, supporting walls had to be erected that could be filled in, so there was a large flat place (platform) upon which to build. King Solomon first did this when he constructed the first temple around 967 BC. When the temple was rebuilt under Zerubbabel (537-515 BC), this same platform was used. Afterward, the Hasmonean's expanded the Temple Mount to the south a bit in around 140 BC. Then, in 19 BC, King Herod began rebuilding a new massive temple. To accomplish this, he had to enlarge the Temple Mount Platform significantly. When he was done, it measured 985 x 1,575 feet (300 x 480 m.), or the equivalent of 35 football fields in size (35 acres, 14 hectares). 2. King Herod put 10,000 men to work and trained 1,000 priests as masons so they could work on the most sacred parts of the temple. The building was begun in 19 B.C. and finished in 10 years, but the work of decoration was not completed until 64 AD. 3. The temple King Herod built on this massive Temple Mount Platform was enormous in size. Nothing in the known world at that time compared to it in size and beauty. For comparison’s sake, the temple Herod built was over twice the size of the Dome of the Rock (which measures 65 feet wide x 115 feet high or 20 x 35 m.), which can be seen today. 4. In 70 AD, six years after the temple was fully completed, the Romans burned down and destroyed the temple at Jerusalem, and it has never been rebuilt since. 5. Located beside the Western Wall Tour Entrance on the left side, or northern side of the Western Wall is a synagogue. Here Jews gather to study, read, and pray. This is one of the Jew’s most holy synagogues because of its proximity to the original temple wherein the Holy of Holies resided. 6. At the beginning of the Western Wall Tunnel Tour Entrance is a room where the tour begins. Here, tour guides give an overview of the temple Solomon built, the temple Zerubbabel oversaw, and then the temple King Herod built. The history of the Western Wall is meshed in with the history of the temples that once resided next to the Western Wall. 7. Walking along the Western Wall Tunnel, what is known as the master course of stones can be seen. These are some of the first rows of cut stones that support the Temple Mount Western Wall. The largest stone found in the Western Wall measures 44 ft. (13.4 m.) in length (longer than a Greyhound bus). It’s almost 12 ft. (3.66 m.) high (taller than a semi-truck trailer). Its width is 14 ft. (4.26 m.) (almost as wide as some highways). It weighs over 600 tons (equivalent to 200 elephants, or ten tanks, or two 747 jumbo jets, including the people and their luggage). There is no machine big enough today to lift it. It was carved outside the city and then placed here. The stones were carved and placed with such precision that not even a credit card will fit between the joints. By comparison, the largest stones in the Egyptian Pyramids are 15 tons. 8. We next come to what is called Warren's Gate. This is the closest place along the Western Wall to where the temple used to be. It is, therefore, according to the Jews, the holiest place in the Western Wall. Just 200 ft. (61 m.) towards the east is where the temple was originally located. 9. The bedrock of the Western Wall of the Temple Mount can be seen as well. The masons who laid the great stones to build the Western Wall chiseled the bedrock of the mountain to make them look like they were stones, but in reality, they are the bedrock of the mountain upon which the Western Wall rests. 10. Next, the tiles of the original floor where Jesus likely walked are visible in the tunnel. 11. Continuing along the Western Wall Tunnel is a Hasmonean aqueduct built over 2,200 years ago, which was 150 years before Christ. 12. At the northern end of the Western Wall Tunnel is the Struthion Pool, where water was stored for use in the city of Jerusalem. Faith Lesson from the Western Wall 1. It's sad that the closest large meeting area the Jews can get to the place where the original temple used to be located is the Western Wall, which in reality, is just part of the supporting wall of the Temple Mount. 2. It’s sad that because of the Jew’s repeated refusal to heed God’s warnings to obey and follow Him that He sent judgments upon Israel and Jerusalem. 3. It's sad that because the Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah, Jesus prophesied Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed. This was fulfilled in 70 AD. The reality of this destruction is the overarching fact that can be seen all along the Western Wall. 4. Because of the Jew’s continual disobedience to God, He prophesied that the Jews would be scattered to the four corners of the earth. This was fulfilled in 70 AD. 5. God also prophesied that He would bring the Jews back to their homeland in the last days. This was fulfilled in 1948. 6. According to many passages in the Bible, God still has a plan for the Jews. He said He would bring them back to their homeland after being scattered for thousands of years. He also says that during the Great Tribulation Period that many Jews, if not most of them, will recognize that Jesus is indeed their Messiah and turn to Him in repentance. 7. Amazingly, we see the first prophecy fulfilled in that the Jews returned to their homeland and have their own country back. Many civilizations have occupied the Holy Land, but God has fulfilled prophecy in bringing the Jews back to their homeland today. 8. The stones here cry out that God’s Word is true and is verifiable through the fulfillment of these prophecies. 9. There is a popular saying about the stones of Jerusalem that is sad but very true, “The Jerusalem Stone, so resilient and supple, bows to the transient follies of humankind, bearing a testimony like a hundred witnesses, and yet, remains silent.” 10. We find in all that has happened to the Jews a powerful and sobering message for us today. Obedience brings God’s blessings, but disobedience brings His discipline. 1 Corinthians 10:11–12: Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.