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

Christ's Miracle of the Feeding of the 5,000 is an amazing event. See where it happened, where Christ walked on water, calmed the storm, and taught His disciples. Tiberias, Mount Arbel, Magdala, Ginasor, Gennesaret, Tabhga, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Gamla, Kirsi, Feeding the 5,000, Yardenit, and more. Feeding the 5,000 Photo Gallery Places of Interest Feeding the 5,000 Introduction Welcome to the approximate location where Jesus Fed 5,000 people. This is a major event from the Bible that took place here. Here are the highlights. 1. This was an amazing miracle where Jesus miraculously fed a huge multitude with five loaves of bread and two fish. 2. Scripture says there were 5,000 men, not counting women and children. This means there could have easily been 15,000-20,000 people present. 3. He had them sit on the grass in groups of 50. This shows how this location could accommodate a large multitude. 4. We'll explain why we believe this is the best location for this astounding miracle. Location 1. The traditional site of this miracle is at Tabgha, located on the northwestern side of the Sea of Galilee. 2. However, this miracle most likely occurred on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, a short distance south of Bethsaida. 3. Scripture says Jesus and His disciples were headed to Bethsaida, a desolate or deserted place (Mark 6:31; Luke 9:10). Tabgha is in a very populated area and on the opposite side of the sea from Bethsaida. 4. The large population area was from Tiberias to Capernaum (the northwestern side). The deserted area was on the northeastern and eastern sides of the sea. 5. Bethsaida was a small fishing village and was about the only town on the northeastern side of the sea. 6. Immediately after feeding the 5,000, Jesus ordered His disciples to cross over to the other side of the sea (Matt. 14:22). 7. A strong storm arose while the disciples were crossing over to the other side. Jesus walked on water (Peter also attempted to), and Jesus calmed the storm. 8. The storm seems to have changed the course of their destination, as Scripture says that they ended up arriving in the area of Gennesaret (Matt. 14:34–36). 9. Gennesaret is located on the northwestern side of the sea, the area where most of the population resides. 10. Gennesaret is less than 2 miles (3 Km.) south of Tabgha. If the miracle happened at Tabgha, going from Tabgha to Gennesaret wouldn’t have crossed over the other side of the sea as both towns are nearby. 11. After Christ arrived at Gennesaret, many heard he had arrived, and a large multitude gathered for healing. If Christ had just been in the area of Tabgha, it wouldn't make sense that a large crowd would gather again right after Christ had just been there. 12. From the location of the feeding of the 5,000, the disciples headed toward Bethsaida and Capernaum (Mark 6:45; John 6:16–17). Therefore, they had to be south of Bethsaida enough to travel in that direction by boat. 13. For these reasons, we believe the best biblical location for the feeding of the multitude is just south of Bethsaida in this open, flat area. It seems to fit the text and the geography of the land best. Historical Background 1. This miracle happened just after Jesus had sent out the 12 disciples to preach and heal throughout Israel (Luke 9:1–9). 2. You would think that after being used so mightily by God, the disciples would have had more faith. 3. It also took place just after the death of John the Baptist (Matt. 14:1–12). 4. Jesus and His disciples were headed to the remote area of Bethsaida to rest after the long ministry period they had just finished (being sent out two by two, preaching and healing). Mark 6:30–32: The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 5. However, instead of resting, a huge ministry opportunity awaited them. Mark 6:33–34: Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 6. Scripture mentions that 5,000 were fed, not including women and children. This means there could easily have been 15,000 people or more present. Places of Interest (Please See Maps Above) 1. Bethsaida 2. Tabgha 3. Gennesaret 4. Tiberias 5. Feeding of the 5,000 location 6. Likely place they arrived and departed with their boat 7. Desolate side of the Sea of Galilee 8. Populated side of the Sea of Galilee 9. Sea of Galilee Feeding of the 5,000 in the Bible 1. Feeding the multitude Luke 9:10–11: On their return, the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. Luke 9:12–17: Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, "Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place." 13 But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people." 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each." 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. 2. Interestingly, there were twelve baskets. This was no accident, as there were 12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles. 3. This miracle is similar to what Elisha did in the Old Testament. 2 Kings 4:42-44: A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” 43 But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” 44 So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord. 4. After feeding the 5,000, the disciples encountered a huge storm. Christ walked on water, calmed the storm, and then they arrived on the northwest side of the sea at Gennesaret. Matthew 14:34–36: When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, 36 and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well. 5. The crowd Jesus fed later approached Jesus to make Him King; however, Jesus rebuked them. John 6:25–27: When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." Faith Lesson from Feeding the 5,000 1. The disciples should have had more faith after God used them mightily to preach and heal many people. What about us? Do we lack faith after seeing all God has done for us and others? 2. The crowd later approached Jesus to make Him King. However, Jesus rebuked them because they were just seeking what He could do for them and weren’t interested in true discipleship. Do we tend only to want God’s blessings but no discipleship, sacrifice, suffering, or persecution? 3. Like the crowd Jesus fed, today, many people come to God for help and want to be fixed up. However, they don’t want Christ to be the Lord of their lives. Do we embrace the lordship of Christ, or do we just want our problems solved and then continue living as we please? 4. God also cares for our spiritual needs and likens Himself to spiritual bread. Are you laboring for the bread that endures to eternal life, or are you more focused on temporary things that will soon fade away? 5. Are we feeding our souls daily with God’s Word and the Bread of Life? John 6:35: Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never become hungry, and the one who believes in me will never become thirsty.” Matthew 4:4: It is written, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Learn about Ashdod and the 5 cities of the Philistines. What all happened in Ashdod? What is its history? Who were the Philistines, where did they come from, and where did they live? They are mentioned in many places in the Old Testament and were the enemies of the Israelites. The Other Cities Were: Ekron, Ashkelon, Gaza, and Gath. Biblical Ashdod Photo Gallery Places of Interest Ashdod 1. Ashdod is located on the Mediterranean Sea and is the northernmost city of the five Philistine cities. 2. It's about 18 miles (29 km) south of Jaffa and Tel Aviv. 3. Tel Ashod is just about 2.5 miles (4.5 km) inland from the sea. It remains in its natural form and has had some excavations carried out but not extensive ones. 4. It appears that the city was large and extended all the way to the sea, or had another part of the city that was by the sea. 5. During the conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua and the Israelites, giants known as Anakim were found here (Josh. 11:22). Ashdod was allotted to Judah, but they failed to conquer it (Josh. 13:3, 15:46–47). 6. During the time of Samuel, Ashdod and the other main cities of the Philistines were still independent. 7. Ashdod was conquered and came under the authority of Assyria around 711 BC. Later, Babylon also conquered it around 605 BC. 8. In later times, the Ashdod-Yam Fortress (also called Qal’at el-Mina) was built by Caliph Abd al-Malik (685-705 AD) at the end of the seventh century AD on the ruins of a Byzantine settlement. The fortress was part of a coastal defense system designed to prevent a Byzantine invasion from the sea. The system consisted of a string of strongholds along the Mediterranean Sea situated in sight of one another. In times of danger, messages were conveyed using fire beacons (at night) and smoke signals (during the day). In 1033, the fortress was destroyed by an earthquake and abandoned. It was reconstructed and resettled during the Crusader Period (12th and 13th centuries AD). Its name was changed to Castellum Beroart. It was finally abandoned after the Crusaders were banished from the country in 1290. Places of Interest 1. Tel Ashdod 2. Ashdod-Yam Fortress Ashdod in the Bible 1. The Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and took it to Ashdod, and placed it in the House of Dagon (their false god). 1 Samuel 5:1-2: Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod . 2 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon , and placed it beside Dagon. The Ark may have resided in the house of their false god, Dagon, which could have been by the sea. From Ashdod, the Ark was taken to Gath. 2. God revealed Himself as the Lord of Lords to the Philistines by making their false god, Dagon, bow down and submit to Him. 1 Samuel 5:3-4: When the Ashdodites got up early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set him back in his place. 4 But when they got up early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. And the head of Dagon and both palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the torso of Dagon was left. 3. God struck the people of Ashdod with tumors to show them He was the true God. 1 Samuel 5:6-7: Now the hand of the Lord was heavy on the Ashdodites , and He made them feel devastated and struck them with tumors , both Ashdod and its territories. 7 When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, because His hand is severe on us and on Dagon our god.” 4. God prophesied that a people of mixed origins or nationalities would live in Ashdod and among the Philistines. This was certainly fulfilled in history and can even be seen today. Zechariah 9:6: And a people of mixed origins will live in Ashdod , and I will eliminate the pride of the Philistines . 5. Ashdod was the recipient of many prophecies proclaiming its doom and destruction. Isaiah 20:11, Amos 1:8, Jeremiah 25:20, and Zechariah 2:4, 9:6. However, Ashdod continued to be inhabited as the Jews intermarried with its inhabitants after their return from Babylon (Neh. 13:23–24). 6. In the New Testament, Ashdod is called Azotus. Acts 8:40: But Philip found himself at Azotus , and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. Faith Lesson from Ashdod 1. God revealed Himself as the Creator and true Lord to the Philistines on different occasions so they would know He was the true God. God reveals Himself to everyone through His creation, so that no one can claim to be without excuse. Romans 1:18-20: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse . 3. Any person from any nation was welcome to join in the Jewish faith, obtain salvation, and be right with God. The Philistines had this opportunity, like every other nation. 4. What about us? Are we right with God and letting our lights shine to a world that needs God and His salvation through Jesus Christ?

See all the sites of the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdelene located in Jerusalem. Learn about the life of Mary and how she is an example and inspiration for us today. Church of Mary Magdalene, Jerusalem Photo Gallery Places of Interest Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene Location 1. It's located on the side of the Mount of Olives, facing Old City Jerusalem. 2. It's just north of the Triumphal Entry path towards the lower part. 3. It's easily spotted as it has one large gilded onion dome and six smaller ones. 4. It makes an especially striking spectacle at night when its floodlit domes seem to be floating above the dark trees surrounding it. Historical Background 1. The Church of Mary Magdalene was built in 1888 by Czar Alexander III of Russia to memorialize his mother, Empress Maria Alexandrovna. Maria had always dreamed of visiting the Holy Land but was unable to because of poor health. Mary Magdalene is venerated with particular devotion in the East Orthodox Church, so it was natural for the Russians to honor her by building this church. 2. Its onion-shaped domes and the general style reflect the architecture of Moscow during the 16th and 17th centuries. Although the intricately decorated façade appears to be made of marble, it's actually sculpted white sandstone. 3. Above the entrance, a circular blue mosaic medallion depicts Mary Magdalene robed in white. 4 . The church commemorates Mary, whose hometown was Magdala, located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. 5. Mary is revered as a saint by the Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. 6. Mary was one of the few people named in the Gospels who was present at Christ’s crucifixion and the first recorded witness of his resurrection. 7. At the site is also a convent that houses about 30 Russian Orthodox nuns from several different countries. While particularly known for the quality of their liturgical singing, they also paint icons, embroider vestments and items for liturgical use, and decorate Russian eggs. 8. The church is part of the Convent of St. Mary Magdalene, a sisterhood established in 1936 by an English convert, and since the 1920s, has been under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), an independent ecclesiastical entity until 2007 and part of the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church since then. 9. The magical church is magnificent from a distance, but it is also worth getting a closer look. A tranquil garden surrounds the church. Inside, there are many Orthodox icons and liturgical paintings. The Grand Duchess commissioned Russian artist Sergei Ivanov to create a series of paintings depicting the life of Saint Mary Magdalene. 10. The relics of two martyred saints, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia and her fellow nun Varvara Yakovleva, are displayed in the church. 11. The interior of the church is a blend of bronze and white marble iconostasis, a wall or screen bearing religious icons that separate the sanctuary from the nave, the central part of a church where the congregation usually sits. 12. Its main wall bears a painting of Alexander Ivanov, a prominent 19th-century Russian artist. Commissioned by Elizabeth Fyodorovna, the artwork depicts Mary Magdalene holding a red egg before the Roman emperor Tiberius. According to Eastern Christian tradition, Tiberius mocked her for claiming Jesus rose from the Dead, comparing it to a white egg turning red. In return, an egg Mary held by Mary turned red. Places of Interest 1. Mount of Olives 2. Dominus Flevit Church 3. Triumphal Entry Path 4. Garden of Gethsemane 5. Kidron Valley 6. Tomb of Mary - Gethsemane Cave 7. Temple Mount 8. Old City Jerusalem Mary Magdalene in the Bible 1. Mary was from the town of Magdala, located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.. Matthew 4:23: And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. Matthew 15:38–39: Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan [Magdala]. 2. Jesus cast out 7 demons from Mary Magdalene. Luke 8:1–3: Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. 3. Mary was likely a wealthy widow as she followed Christ everywhere and supported the ministry of Jesus financially. 4. A strong case could be made that Mary was one of Christ’s most devoted and loyal followers. She followed Jesus everywhere and supported Him financially, she was present at the mock trial of Jesus, she heard Pontius Pilate pronounce the death sentence upon Jesus, she saw Jesus beaten and humiliated by the crowd, she was one of the women who stood near Jesus during the crucifixion to try to comfort Him, and she was the first woman Christ appeared to after rising from the dead. 5. Mary looked from a distance at Christ’s crucifixion and then moved in closer during His last suffering hours on the cross. Mark 15:40: There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. John 19:25: But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 6. Mary Magdalene helped buy expensive spices to anoint the body of Jesus after His crucifixion. Mark 16:1: When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 7. Mary was the earliest witness to the resurrection of Jesus and was sent by Jesus to tell the others. Mark 16:9: When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. John 20:11-18: But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. 8. Even at the very end, Mary never lost her first love for Jesus. Revelation 2:4: But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 9. There is also no doubt that Mary served Christ alongside the apostles for the rest of her life. Faith Lesson from the Life of Mary Magdalene 1. Christ cast out 7 demons from Mary. This changed her life forever and filled her with deep gratitude to Jesus. Are we grateful for what God has done for us as well? 2. Mary loved Christ profoundly and was one of His most devoted followers. She is the model of what it means to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Are we devoted to Christ as Mary was? 3. Mary supported Jesus’ ministry financially. Do we support Jesus’ ministries as well? 4. Mary never lost her first love for Christ. Have we lost our first love?

The church of Dominus Flevit marks the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem as He entered it on Palm Sunday at His famous, Triumphal Entry from the Mount of Olives. See everything you want to know about this historical event. Triumphal Entry Photo Gallery Places of Interest Triumphal Entry Introduction Welcome to the Triumphal Entry Path. You are on the very path Jesus walked on Palm Sunday, just a few days before He was crucified. 1. The Triumphal Entry was prophesied in the Old Testament. 2. The Triumphal Entry was fulfilled in the New Testament. 3. The Triumphal Entry, which occurred the Sunday before the Passover, was also lamb selection day for the Passover. 4. Christ descended this path to Jerusalem riding on a donkey. 5. The crowd took branches of palm trees and cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” 6. On this path, at the place marked by the church, Dominus Flevit, Christ paused and wept over Jerusalem. 7. We're in the very footsteps of Jesus as this was the same route He would have taken. Location 1. The Triumphal Entry begins at the upper part of the Mount of Olives and winds its way down to the bottom of the mountain to the Garden of Gethsemane. 2. A church called, Dominus Flevit, is located halfway down the western slope of the Mount of Olives and marks the place where Jesus wept over the future fate of Jerusalem. Historical Background 1. The Triumphal Entry was a major event in the life of Jesus wherein He entered Jerusalem on the Sunday before He would be crucified (Friday the Passover) and rise from the dead the following Sunday. 2. This event was designed by Christ to broadcast to the Nation of Israel that He was their Passover Lamb. 3. It is also referred to as Palm Sunday because palm branches were laid on the road as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. 4. It would mark Christ’s last days of intensive teaching and condemnation of the Jews for rejecting Him and His message. 5. It would be the beginning of Christ’s last week on earth. 6. The Dominus Flevit Church was built in 1953 to commemorate this important event. 7. The current church stands on the ruins of a 6th-century Byzantine church. Some mosaics of the church still remain. 8. Dominus Flevit is Latin and means, “the Lord wept.” Places of Interest 1. Bethphage (beginning point of the Triumphal Entry) 2. Mount of Olives 3. Triumphal Entry path 4. Dominus Flevit Church 5. Garden of Gethsemane 6. Temple Mount 7. The western window of the Dominus Flevit Church provides a beautiful view of the Temple Mount. 8. A mosaic on the altar of the Dominus Flevit Church has an illustration of a hen gathering her chickens, which is based on Luke 13:34: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! 9. Ancient burial caves located by the Dominus Flevit Church. 10. Ossuary boxes ~ Bones of people were placed in these boxes after their bodies had decayed. Triumphal Entry in the Bible 1. The Triumphal Entry was prophesied in the Old Testament. Some 450–500 years earlier, the Prophet Zechariah prophesied: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” ( Zech. 9:9). 2. The Triumphal Entry was fulfilled in the New Testament. Matthew 21:7–9: They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!” 3. Palm Sunday was also the fulfillment of the Prophet Daniel's "seventy sevens" prophecy. Daniel 9:25: Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. 4. The Triumphal Entry, which occurred on the Sunday before the Passover, was also lamb selection day for the Passover. According to Exodus 12, this was the day set aside for each Israelite family to choose the lamb they would kill for their Passover meal. The blood from their lamb was to be put on the doorposts of their homes so the angel of death would not kill their firstborn children. The Passover was celebrated each year to mark their deliverance from Egypt and how God had miraculously saved them. The fact that Christ entered Jerusalem on this very day was no accident. He was proclaiming Himself as the Passover Lamb, not only for the Israelites but for all humanity. 5. Christ entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Luke 19:28–35: And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.'" 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 And they said, "The Lord has need of it." 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. The meaning of a donkey. A donkey was a symbol of peace; a horse was a symbol of war. Christ came to make peace with mankind at His first coming by dying for our sins. However, at His second coming He will come riding a horse to wage war with mankind and judge them for their sinful rejection of Him. 6. The crowd took branches of palm trees and cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” John 12:12–13: So, they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" It was a cry for deliverance from Roman occupation. The last time the Israelites had their freedom during the Maccabean rule from 167–63 BC, their money had the symbol of a palm branch as a sign of freedom. It was like the national flag of a country. It was the Jew’s way of saying that they wanted Christ to be their King and deliver them from the Romans.The meaning of the palm branches. 7. At the place marked by the church, Dominus Flevit, Christ paused and wept over Jerusalem. 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." There are only two times in the Bible where it is noted that Christ wept. The first time was at the death of Lazarus, and the second during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Both places are located on the Mount of Olives. In this account of Christ weeping, He wept for those who aren’t saved and the judgment that awaits them. Within 40 years, in AD 70, Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled. Roman legions besieged Jerusalem and, after six months of fighting, burnt the temple and leveled the city. 8. The first time Christ wept took place at the death of Lazarus just a week or so earlier on the backside of the Mount of Olives. J ohn 11:33–36: When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" In this account, Christ weeps for those who suffer. Faith Lesson from the Triumphal Entry 1. The Triumphal Entry was a prophesied event from the Old Testament and reveals the validity of Scripture and God’s sovereignty. 2. Christ wept over Jerusalem because they rejected Him and the coming judgment they would face as a result. Does Christ weep for you because you don’t know Him and will be separated from Him in hell for all eternity? 3. Christ wept with those at the death of Lazarus. Does Christ weep with you as He understands your pain and suffering?

Other than the main holy sites we have on our website about northern Israel, this page lists many other sites of interest in the area: Acre (Akko, Acco, Ptolemais), Belvoir Fortress, Jezreel (Yizreel), Nimrod Fortress National Park Other Sites of Interest ~ Northern Galilee Photo Gallery Places of Interest Other Sites of Interest In Northern Israel Acre (Akko, Acco, Ptolemais) Located about 9 miles (14 km.) north of Haifa, Acre was one of the best seaports in Israel. Acre was allotted to the tribe of Asher, but they were never able to conquer it (Josh. 19:24–31; Judg. 1:31). It was similar to Tyre and Sidon, cities the Israelites failed to conquer. As a result, Acre became a fortress city of unusual strength that stood up against its many attackers. However, when Assyria arose to power, Acre was conquered and came under its control. When Assyria fell from world power, Acre, along with other Phoenician towns, came under the rule of Babylon, and then later, to Persia. In the Seleucid period (BC 312–65), Acre rose to prominence in the battles between the Seleucids and the Ptolemies. The Ptolemies had control of it during the struggles after the death of Alexander the Great and made it their stronghold on the coast. At this time, the city of Acre was changed to the name Ptolemais. This would be the name it would be known as during the Greek and Roman occupations of Israel. Therefore, the New Testament authors refer to Acre as Ptolemais (Acts 21:7). In the period of the Crusaders, Acre was the most famous stronghold on the coast. It declined after the Crusader period and fell into the hands of the Ottomans under Selim I in 1516. Belvoir Fortress This Crusader castle is located on a hill of the Naphtali Plateau, 12 miles (20 km.) south of the Sea of Galilee. This impressive structure sits about 1,641 ft. (500 m.) above the Jordan Valley, which was a strategic location during the time of the Crusades. Designed to withstand the Muslim invaders, the fortress provided strong combat positioning as well as an amazing view of the surrounding area. Built in 1168 by the Hospitallers order, it withstood a year and a half siege by Saladin’s forces. The structure itself consists of an outer and an inner square fortress. It is still well-preserved, and visitors can explore the grounds while taking in a stunning view of the Jordan Valley, the Sea of Galilee, and the Golan Heights. It is the most complete and preserved Crusader fortress in Israel. Jezreel (Yizreel) Jezreel, located in the fertile Jezreel Valley, is about 24 miles (38 km.) east of the Mediterranean Sea and about 17 miles (28 km.) southwest of the Sea of Galilee. Jezreel was a major biblical city, and during the 9th century BC, it was the northern capital of the Israelite Kingdom. When Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle on Mount Gilboa, news of this event came from Jezreel. Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, became crippled when his nurse fell while carrying him as she ran in haste after hearing the terrible news of Jonathan’s death (2 Sam. 4:4). After the Kingdom of Israel was divided in around 930 BC, King Ahab made Jezreel one of his royal residences, erecting a palace here (1 Kings 21:1). At Jezreel lived King Ahab’s wife, who instituted the worship to the false gods of Baal and Asherah. This provoked God to send a drought that lasted 3 years. It ended with the great showdown between Elijah and the 850 false prophets of Baal and Asherah. God sent fire from heaven that consumed Elijah’s altar to show the nation of Israel He was God. Afterward, Elijah killed all the false prophets (1 Kings 18). The vineyard of Naboth was by King Ahab’s palace in Jezreel. Ahab wanted the vineyard for a vegetable garden, but Naboth refused to sell it. So Ahab’s wicked wife, Jezebel, arranged for Naboth to be wrongly accused and executed so Ahab could rob his land (1 Kings 21). Apparently, it was on the city's eastern wall from which Jehu entered when he ordered Jezebel (King Ahab’s wife) to be thrown down according to prophecy. Some of her blood spattered on the wall when she landed, and the dogs ate her body (2 Kings 9:30–37). Nimrod Fortress National Park Nimrod Fortress is situated in the northernmost part of Israel, just a few miles north of Caesarea Philippi. It’s on a ridge rising some 2,600 ft. (800 m.) above sea level and is the biggest Crusader castle in Israel. The mountain-top stronghold overlooks the deep narrow valley separating Mount Hermon from the Golan Heights and the road linking the Galilee with Damascus (present-day Syria). The Crusaders built it in the Middle Ages to guard this major access route against armies coming from the west. On the eastern edge of the fortress was a large keep (a keep is a fortress within a fortress), protected by large rectangular towers. In the west, it was separated from the main fortress by a moat, accessed by a bridge. The keep served as living quarters for the commander of the fortress. In times of siege, it became an additional defense position. The fortress is named after a biblical hero, the hunter, Nimrod, the great warrior (Gen. 10:8-9) who, according to local tradition, dwelt on this summit.

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Resources to learn all about the History of Israel. Videos, books, talks, maps, and more. Learn about its walls, gates, people, language, and more. History of Israel

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

If this artifact is true, it proves the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is a total game-changer. Join us as we look at the evidence! You'll be amazed at what is discussed! Shroud of Turin (Jesus), In Italy Photo Gallery Shroud of Turin (Jesus), In Italy Fact or Fiction? If you want to know everything about the Shroud of Turin, we provide a complete analysis of this extremely unique artifact here. What Is It? Is the Shroud found in the Bible? Why Is It Called the Shroud of Turin? Where Is the Shroud Located Today? Has the Shroud always been a Catholic Relic? How Was the Shroud Wrapped Around the Body? What Is Its Historical Timeline? What Are the Arguments Supporting the Shroud's Authenticity? What Are the Arguments Against Its Authenticity? Conclusion Faith Lesson for Us Today What Is It? 1. The Shroud of Turin is a 2,000-year-old linen cloth bearing the image of a man who suffered injuries consistent with crucifixion. Many believe it to be Jesus' burial linen cloth, as found in the four gospels in the Bible. 2. The cloth measures about 14.5 feet (4.4 meters) long and 3.5 feet (1 meter) wide. 3. It is the most studied and researched artifact today. It defies science and is a historical artifact that continues to captivate people worldwide. It has been a subject of religious devotion and scientific scrutiny for years. 4. The Shroud has two amazing factors. First, the image is just two or three microns thick and disappears if you get closer than about 8 feet (2.5 meters) to the Shroud. This baffles scientists and confirms it's not a work of art or man-made. Second, the image is just on the surface and was created by a tremendous burst of light, amounting to around 34 trillion watts of energy, taking 1/4th of a billionth of a second to leave the image on the Shroud. Otherwise, it would have scorched the image and destroyed it. 5. Science shows that the blood on the Shroud was there first, and then the image was created from the massive energy that came later. The Shroud is estimated to have several pints of blood on it. What is fascinating is that the Shroud shows evidence of the crucifixion and resurrection of the man in it. 6. To date, around 102 different scientific disciplines have spent over 600,000 hours studying the Shroud, and they virtually all agree it defies science and is unexplainable by natural laws. 7. Many photos seen of the Shroud's image are photo negatives. This image reproduces bright portions of the photographed subject as dark and the dark parts as light. A natural image doesn't show the details like a negative image. 8. The negative image also has 3-dimensional properties that are unexplainable. 9. As of the time of this filming, there is an offer of 1 million dollars to anyone who can replicate the Shroud. No one has been able to do it even using all our modern high-tech technology. Join us on this fascinating journey as we examine the evidence to determine whether this relic is authentic or a hoax. If it is authentic, the ramifications are staggering. Is the Shroud Found in the Bible? The Bible Affirms Jesus Was Wrapped In Linen Cloths (Shroud) at His Burial In All Four Gospels Matthew 27:57-60: When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He 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 shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mark 15:45-46: And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph [of Arimathea]. 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud , and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. Luke 23:53: Then he [Joseph of Arimathea] took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. Luke 24:12: But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. John 19:40: So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. John 20:4-7: Both of them were running together, but the other disciple [John] outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth , which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Why Is It Called the Shroud of Turin? It has this name because it has been stored in Turin, Italy, since 1578. It's also widely known as the Shroud of Jesus. Where Is the Shroud Located Today? It's stored at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. It's housed in a climate-controlled case in a chapel built just to hold it. However, because of its extremely fragile state, the shroud is not viewable to the public except during very rare public viewings, as the pope determines. Has the Shroud always been a Catholic Relic? No, the House of Savoy entrusted the Shroud of Turin to the Catholic Pope (and each succeeding Pope) in 1983. It seems there is some relation with the Vatican as well. So, it is technically not entrusted to the Catholic Church. It has been in the hands of many people and places throughout its long history. How Was the Shroud Wrapped Around the Body? The long linen cloth was laid down, and the body was placed on the lower part of the cloth. Next, the cloth was folded over the entire body, with the head at the centerfold, ending at the feet, where it began. Then strips of linen were wrapped around the shroud and body to keep the shroud in place. A head covering was also used. This is consistent with Lazarus being raised from the dead in John 11:43-44: When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen , and a cloth around his face. How Tall Was the Man Covered in the Shroud? According to the image on the Shroud, the body would have been about 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall. This is taller than the average height of a person in Israel during the time of Jesus. However, this would be consistent with Jesus because in order to minister to the multitudes, he would have had to be taller than others, or he wouldn't have been seen or heard. What Is Its Historical Timeline? 33 AD The Bible describes Jesus being wrapped in a linen cloth after the crucifixion. Some believe the Shroud was kept secretly by early Christians because of persecution under Roman rule. 100 AD Legend and folklore speak of a mysterious cloth with healing power bearing an image of Jesus that arrived in Edessa (now Urfa, Turkey) in the First Century AD. The Apostle Jude Thaddeus, one of the original Apostles of Jesus Christ, is associated with bringing the cloth from Jerusalem to Edessa. 525 AD After a severe flood destroyed most of Edessa, the cloth was removed from the walls where it had been hidden for over 400 years. The cloth became known as "The Image of Edessa" and later was called “The True Likeness of Christ Not Made by Human Hands.” All Orthodox icons of Jesus and Byzantine coins dramatically changed to conform to the "True Likeness" image featured a man with long hair, a full beard, large eyes, and a flattened nose—all of which are stylistically similar to the Shroud image. Additionally, Byzantine texts describe a folded cloth bearing the image of Jesus “not made by human hands” hidden in a wall in Edessa. 944 AD The Byzantine Imperial Army invaded Edessa to retrieve the cloth from the city that had fallen to Islam. The cloth was taken to Constantinople (now Istanbul) and presented to the Emperor. The cloth was reportedly shown during church feasts. 1203 AD A document from French Crusader Robert de Clari describes a cloth in Constantinople showing the full body of Christ, displayed every Friday — some say this refers to the Shroud. 1204 AD The Fourth Crusade invaded Constantinople, and the revered cloth disappeared. Some historians believe the Shroud was held secretly by the Knights Templar before 1356, when it was displayed in France. Vatican research from 2009 supports this long-time oral tradition. 1354 The Shroud reappeared in the hands of French knight Geoffrey de Charny, who displayed it at a church he founded in Lirey, France. 1453 Geoffrey’s granddaughter, Marguerite de Charny, gave the Shroud to the royal House of Savoy. 1502 The Shroud was no longer displayed in different churches within the House of Savoy Kingdom, but was given a permanent home in the royal chapel at Chambery, also known as Sainte Chapelle. 1532 A fire damaged the Shroud in Chambery Chapel, where it was stored. A drop of molten silver from the container produced a symmetrically placed mark through the layers of the folded cloth. Poor Clare Nuns, a group of nuns, repaired this damage with patches. Some have suggested that water damage also occurred when the fire was being extinguished. These burn marks are still visible. 1578 It was moved to Turin, Italy, where it has remained to this day. What Are the Arguments Supporting the Shroud's Authenticity? 1. The Image Itself Is a Mystery The image on the Shroud is not painted, drawn, or dyed — no pigment or brushstrokes have been found. When viewed as a negative image, it appears more detailed and lifelike. This is something not understood until it was first photographed in 1898. The image also contains 3D information, which is very rare. When processed by image analyzers like the NASA VP-8, it produces a three-dimensional relief, unlike typical photographs or paintings. 2. The Marks on the Shroud Match Exactly the Wounds of the Crucifixion of Jesus Bloodstains on the head are compatible with a crown of thorns. There is no historical account of anyone being crucified with a crown of thorns. The Shroud didn't touch every part of the body. But considering the parts it did touch, there are over 120 scourges or marks, creating over 370 lacerations. It's estimated the body would have had over 700 lacerations. This is compatible with Roman flogging and what Jesus endured. He was beaten at the House of Caiaphas, the High Priest, before Pilate, before Herod, and then again severely before Pilate. Nail wounds on the wrists. Roman crucifixion generally put nails through the wrists to better support the weight of a body on a cross. Nails through the hand typically wouldn't support the weight and rip through. The wrist was considered part of the hand during this period. Nail wounds in the feet. The man’s feet were on top of one another. The legs are slightly bent due to rigor mortis, a muscle stiffness that sets in quickly after death and lasts less than four days. After four days, the muscles relax and the body becomes limp. Interestingly, Jesus rose from the dead after three days and nights in the tomb. Blood from the body runs downward, showing evidence of the man being crucified. There are no stains or signs of the body decomposing. This is compatible with Jesus' resurrection, which happened on the third day before the body had time to decay. Wound in the side, compatible in size with a Roman spear tip. Post-mortem blood flow from the side wound also flows across the back. The man's legs were not broken. This would be consistent with what happened to Jesus. Interestingly, the two men crucified with Jesus both had their legs broken. Marks on the back of the man from carrying a wooden beam. This is consistent with Jesus carrying His cross. Deviated septum. This would have been caused by the heavy blows Jesus received to His face by the Roman soldiers. 3. Authentic Human Bloodstains The blood on the Shroud is type AB, a Jewish blood type found in less than 3% of the world's population. So the Shroud most likely originated from Israel. The blood is real human blood and shows signs of the chemical bilirubin. It's produced by the liver during extreme trauma or stress. This is consistent with the traumatic injuries that Jesus would have suffered. The blood on the Shroud is reddish. Normally, blood turns blackish when exposed to oxygen. The chemical bilirubin keeps the blood reddish and stops it from turning blackish, which is again consistent with Christ's sufferings before and during the crucifixion. 4. Pollen, Dust, and Plant Evidence The pollen grains found on the Shroud are from plants native to Jerusalem. Some of these plants bloom only in the spring, around the time of Passover. Additionally, other pollen on the Shroud matches perfectly with the places it has traveled throughout its history, such as Jerusalem, Northern Syria, Turkey, and Europe. Limestone Dust from Jerusalem on the Shroud 5. Weaving Style and Material It is made of expensive cloth using the exceptionally durable herringbone weave pattern. It was rare but well-known in the ancient Middle East and is consistent with 1st-century Jewish burial cloths. The linen matches first-century Jewish burial customs. Even the seam on the shroud is identical to stitching found only at Masada, a Jewish fortress destroyed by the Romans in 73 AD. It perfectly matches the Bible's account of being donated by Joseph of Arimathea, who was very wealthy. We also have other ancient clothing that has been preserved. Some are as old as 5,000 years. So, it's not abnormal to have ancient clothing preserved. 6. A Byzantine coin from 692 AD shows Jesus on a cross resembling the Shroud's face. 7. Scientific Affirmation that the Shroud of Turin is Authentic In 1978, King Umberto II, the owner of the Shroud at the time, authorized comprehensive hands-on testing for a group called the "Shroud of Turin Research Project," also known as STURP. The group was made up of over 30 distinguished scientists. STURP’s findings remain a primary scientific source cataloging the Shroud’s unique properties. Below is a partial list of the STURP findings: No substances were manually applied to the cloth. No artistic substances such as paint, ink, dye, pigments, or stain were used to constitute the image. No collagen binder as would be used with paint. No fibers are cemented to each other as with paint. No liquids were applied to create the image. No substances were found between the threads, as with dust rubbing. Bloodstains on the cloth tested positive for heme, bile, serum albumin, and other human blood components. The blood is of the male type, AB. The blood marks seen on the shroud are consistent with a contact transfer to the cloth of blood clot exudates that would have resulted from major wounds inflicted on a man who died in the position of crucifixion. The following are image characteristics found on or about the Shroud: The image is purely superficial. It does not penetrate the cloth but only rests on the top two micro-fibers. (Analogous to the Shroud image resting on the hairs of your forearm.) The image is a photographic negative that develops as a positive. The image contains 3D “distance information” similar to a topographical map. No directionality to the image, as found with a brush or any substance application tool. No variation in the depth of the image. (Virtually impossible with human hands.) The yellowing of the image is uniform in intensity. No outline or defined edges are found on the image. STURP conclusion: “There are no chemical or physical methods known which can account for the totality of the image, nor can any combination of physical, chemical, biological, or medical circumstances explain the image adequately.” 8. Latest Scientific Affirmations As mentioned earlier, it is impressive that around 102 different scientific disciplines have spent over 600,000 hours studying the Shroud, and the great majority of them have concluded that it is indeed 2,000 years old and authentic. The Institute of Crystallography in Italy has confirmed, using wide-angle x-ray scattering technology (WAXS), that the Shroud of Turin is 2,000 years old. Paolo Di Lazzaro of ENEA Laboratory in Italy conducted a five-year study and calculated that it would have taken 34,000 trillion watts of energy, or 1/4th of a billionth of a second, to leave the image on the Shroud. Otherwise, it would have scorched the image and destroyed it. The image is just two or three microns thick and disappears if you get closer than 8 feet (2.5 meters) to the Shroud. This baffles scientists and confirms it's not a work of art or man-made. What Are the Arguments Against Its Authenticity? 1. Radiocarbon Dating In 1988, the Vatican provided three laboratories in different countries with a postage-stamp-sized piece of the Shroud’s linen cloth. Carbon-14 dating from all three laboratories concluded that the cloth had been made sometime between 1260 and 1390 AD, thus indicating that it was not authentic and was a hoax. As a result, this news hit all the news outlets and became a major story. It seemed the Shroud was proven to be a forgery from the Middle Ages. However, some scientists raised doubts about the researchers’ methodology. Recently, it has been verified that the test pieces from the Shroud were from repairs that had been carefully done on a corner of the linen and not from the actual fabric itself. Based on these recent test results, the Vatican encouraged scientists to conduct further investigations of the shroud’s authenticity. In 2022, researchers in Italy published the results of a study in which they used the technique of wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) to analyze a small piece of the shroud. The study concluded that the structural degradations of the Shroud’s linen were “fully compatible” with those of another linen sample dating to 55–74 AD. The 2022 study’s results bolstered the hypothesis that the Shroud of Turin truly is from the time of Christ. 2. Artistic Techniques Critics argue that the image could have been created using medieval methods, such as bas-relief or other artistic techniques. However, recent discoveries and the most recent technology have nullified these claims. 3. The Shroud Lacks Historical Documentation Throughout Its Entire History Some argue that its documented history only begins in 1356 AD, leaving a supposed gap from its beginning until then. An essential fact about the Shroud's history is that it has two distinct periods. The first is before 1356, based on circumstantial evidence, legend, art, and coins. The second is after 1356, when the Shroud's trail is documented and accepted by historians. The Shroud's timeline before 1356 AD is quite verifiable and credible. Legends, art, coins, etc., are commonly valued highly when attempting to verify historical events. This same standard should apply to the Shroud as well. Just because the history from its beginning to 1356 is not documented as well as after that time, does not nullify all the scientific tests done on it. It's a very weak argument against the Shroud's authenticity. Conclusion Whether or not the Shroud is authentic doesn't affect the historicity of Jesus and our faith. We have overwhelming evidence for the existence of Christ and His death and resurrection, so the Shroud isn't needed to prove this. Someone has said that if we stacked the written evidence supporting the Shroud's authenticity, it would reach the ceiling height in a typical house. The evidence against the Shroud's authenticity amounts to a few weak arguments. As mentioned earlier, as of the time of this filming, there is an offer of 1 million dollars to anyone who can replicate the Shroud. No one has been able to do it even using all our modern high-tech technology. With this being the case, it's virtually impossible that the Shroud could be a forgery from the Middle Ages. The Shroud's authenticity is beyond a reasonable doubt and overwhelmingly provides sufficient evidence to convince any modern-day "Doubting Thomas." The DNA of Jesus is not available, so the Shroud can never be 100 percent proven to be his burial cloth. (Although many would argue that the Sudarium of Oviedo provides a blood and stain match.) The fact that the Shroud exists and has been preserved for around 2000 years strongly suggests its high value and supernatural preservation. It is not just any old cloth that endures for millennia if something special isn't going on. Historian John Walsh gives us a good perspective on the Shroud: “The Shroud is either the most awesome and instructive relic of Christ in existence, or it is one of the most ingenious, most unbelievably clever products of the human mind and hand on record. It is either one or the other; there is no middle ground.” After four decades of devoted study to the Shroud of Turin, the French historian Jean-Christian Petitfils is fully convinced that the face unveiled to the world by the Italian photographer Secondo Pia in 1898 is indeed that of Jesus Christ in the tomb. We, at HolyLandSite.com Ministries, are convinced the Shroud is authentic. Faith Lesson for Us Today from the Shroud of Turin 1. Jesus voluntarily submitted to the most horrible manner of death possible to pay for our sins and grant us eternal life. The Shroud provides additional evidence of what Jesus suffered for us. The 120 flogging marks, the 700 or more lacerations, and the beatings show His love. Romans 5:8 says, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." What about us? Have we received Christ's gift of salvation, and are we grateful for what He did for us? 2. The physical suffering Jesus endured to pay for our sins was overwhelming. However, the spiritual suffering He paid was even greater. What about us? Do we understand how much Jesus loves us and wants to have a relationship with us? 3. Regardless of whether the Shroud of Turin is authentic, we have so much more evidence supporting the death and resurrection of Jesus. What about us? Do we believe the truthfulness of the resurrection of Jesus, or are we skeptical and unbelieving? 4. With the overwhelming evidence that the Shroud is authentic, we are not to worship it in any way. We worship God, not a thing. 5. The evidence for the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin meets the standard of truthfulness beyond a reasonable doubt. Thus, we have an accurate representation of the Face of God. This is amazing! What about us? Does this change our hearts and make us grateful to God for preserving this relic for us to behold today?