Jerusalem & Central Israel Biblical Sites Guide

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, God deserves all the credit and glory for this book. He gave the desire, resources, time, strength, perseverance, and the ability to write it.

Secondly, for some unexplainable reason, God has filled the hearts of my wife and I with a deep desire to help people see the context of where the Bible took place. Of course, we know this desire is none other than God’s sovereign work and grace. It’s been a rich joy to have a small part in working with God’s grace to provide this book.

What you as a reader find useful in this book, please give the glory and credit to God. What you find that is not useful or to your liking, please place the blame on the author.

Thirdly, I would like to thank my lovely wife, Letsy, for doing much of the research on the secondary Other Sites of Interest at the end of each section of the book. Significant time and effort were spent investigating these places.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my son, Joel, for helping with formatting, layout, and proofreading. He was a real trooper, and his contribution was invaluable.

My prayer is that God might use this book in your life to deepen your faith, your understanding of who God is, and how He has used the land of Israel and its people to communicate His eternal message to the world.

Israel: Land of the Bible

The Bible is not a fairy tale written in an unknown time, in an unreal place, and with unreal people. On the contrary, the Bible was written in real-time, in a real place, and with real people. The better we understand the context of the time, place, and people of the Bible, the better we will understand the Bible itself. In other words, by understanding the world of the Bible better, we can understand the words of the Bible better.

For a person of faith whose beliefs are engrained in the Bible, there is no place on earth like the Holy Land. In this narrow strip of land that connects the three major continents of Africa, Asia, and Europe, God sovereignly placed the land of Israel. It lies on the crossroads of the world and has affected virtually every civilization on earth.

From its barren hills and fertile plains, a message went out from a tethered and worn prophet that still applies today: . . . and many peoples shall come, and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For out of Zion will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem’ (Isaiah 2:3–4).

Located on a tiny land bridge between Africa and Asia, there were few travel options between the two continents except through Israel. Therefore, whoever wanted to trade between the two continents, or control the known world, had to conquer and control Israel. For this reason, there have been more wars and conflicts in Israel than in any other country on earth. God positioned Israel in this unique location so He could influence the world and be on Center Stage. In so doing, God’s message of who He is, and His message of salvation and hope, is reaching the entire world.

For nearly 2,000 years, pilgrims of faith have come from all over the world to visit and experience the Holy Land, the land of their spiritual heritage. With Bibles in hand, these pilgrims have walked where Jesus walked and prayed in the places He preached and prayed. For Christians, there is just simply no place like Israel. As we traverse and experience the Holy Land, the better we understand Israel's land, places, and people. This great privilege allows us to better understand God’s message written to us on the holy pages of Scripture, and as a result, live lives that glorify and fulfill God’s purpose for our existence.

This book is divided into two main sections:

1. Jerusalem Sites

2. Central Israel Sites

Each section is arranged in alphabetical order for your convenience.

Jerusalem Sites

Jerusalem Overview

Location

1. Jerusalem is in the central part of Israel about 33 miles (53 km.) east of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea.

2. It’s situated at an altitude of 2,600 ft. (800 m.) above sea level and is one of the highest cities in Israel.

3. It’s located on a mountain that is well protected. For this reason, it was hard to capture by enemy forces.

4. Jerusalem rests primarily upon bedrock, so everything was well preserved.

5. Jerusalem is the Old Testament, Mount Moriah.

Historical Background

1. Jerusalem means City of Peace.

2. It’s mentioned over 500 times in the Bible.

3. It’s first mentioned as the city in which King Melchizedek, King of Salem (Jerusalem), lived (Gen. 14:17). Melchizedek was a figure of Christ as he had neither beginning of days or end of life.

Hebrews 7:1: For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.

4. Jerusalem is the special dwelling place of God on this earth.

Psalms 76:2: His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.

Psalm 135:21: Praise be to the LORD from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.

5. In Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, that Abraham was to offer Isaac, his firstborn son to God, on the very place the temple would later be built.

Genesis 22:2: Then God said, Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.

6. Jerusalem was partially conquered by the Israelites when they entered the Promised Land.

7. Jerusalem was then later fully conquered by King David.

8. King David purchased the original Temple Mount in Jerusalem from Araunah when it was just a threshing floor. He purchased it to build an altar to the Lord.

9. Afterward, King David set up his throne in Jerusalem, and it became the ruling center of Israel from then on.

10. King Solomon then built the Temple in 960 AD on the exact location where Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac. This exact location was also the very threshing floor that King David had purchased.

2 Chronicles 3:1: Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father, David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David.

11. At the dedication of the temple Solomon built, the temple was so filled with the glory of God that the priest had to withdraw and suspend their dedication service.

1 Kings 8:10–11: When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.

12. Jerusalem became the center of worship in Israel.

13. The kings of Israel reigned from Jerusalem.

14. The prophets of Israel spoke and ministered in Jerusalem.

15. Unfortunately, the first temple built by Solomon was destroyed in 586 BC by Babylon because of God’s judgment on Israel for their disobedience to Him.

16. The altar and foundation of the second temple were built by Zerubbabel in 535 BC.

17. The construction of the second temple was completed in 515 BC.

Ezra 6:3: In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid.

18. Nehemiah then arrived to rebuild the city and walls of Jerusalem in 445 BC.

Nehemiah 2:17: Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace."

19. The Temple Mount Platform was then later enlarged tremendously by King Herod in 19 BC.

20. On top of the Temple Mount Platform (and over the existing second temple, which was later removed), King Herod built a new massive temple was built by King Herod in 19 BC and was made more beautiful than any before it.

21. It was at this temple built by Herod that Christ and the disciples would minister.

22. Jesus was circumcised at the temple in Jerusalem after being born in Bethlehem.

23. Magi from the east came to visit Jerusalem to witness the birth of Jesus, the Messiah King.

Matthew 2:1: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.

24. Scripture records that Jesus appeared in Jerusalem at the age of 12, and His parents visited there regularly.

25. At the temple in Jerusalem is the place where Christ was tempted by the Devil to throw himself down headlong.

26. Christ visited and ministered in Jerusalem at least 10 times during His ministry years.

27. Christ died on the Cross in Jerusalem.

Matthew 16:21: From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

28. Christ ascended to heaven in Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.

29. Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit happened in Jerusalem.

30. The Early Church was born in Jerusalem.

Acts 2:1, 5–6, 41: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

31. The Apostle Paul grew up in Jerusalem under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). He probably sat at the Southern Stairs (Rabbi’s Stairs), learning from Gamaliel.

32. Stephen was martyred in Jerusalem as recounted in Acts 7.

33. Unfortunately, Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans due to Christ’s judgment on it for the Jew’s rejection of Him as their Messiah.

34. It was destroyed again in 132 AD in the Bar Kokhba Revolt. Later, Hadrian rebuilt and renamed it Aelia Capitolina. 

35. It was later conquered by Muslims in 636 AD.

36. In 691 AD, the Dome of the Rock was built where the temple once stood.

37. It was captured by the Crusaders in 1099 AD.

38. It was re-captured by the Muslims in 1187 AD.

39. It was ruled by the Mamluks in 1291 AD.

40. It was ruled by the Ottomans in 1516 AD.

41. Most of the walls and gates of Jerusalem that exist today were built around 1537 AD. 

42. The nation of Israel was supernaturally re-gathered after almost 2,000 years of being scattered and became a nation again in 1948.

43. Christ will return to Jerusalem in power and great glory on the Mount of Olives at the end of the Great Tribulation Period.

44. The final judgment at the end of the Great Tribulation takes place in Jerusalem in the Kidron Valley.

45. Christ will reign for 1,000 years from Jerusalem after the Great Tribulation Period.

46. There will be a New Jerusalem that will be the center of the new heavens and new earth for eternity.

Places of Interest

1. Temple Mount

2. Western Wall

3. Southern Stairs

4. Church of the Holy Sepulchre

5. Kidron Valley

6. Garden of Gethsemane

7. Triumphal Entry

8. Mount of Olives

9. City of David

Faith Lesson from Jerusalem

1. Jerusalem has played a key role as the center of God’s dwelling place and ministry on this earth.

2. It will be the place Christ returns to in power and great glory at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. Believers will return with Him at this event. Will you be coming with him in glory or be judged by Him when He comes?

3. Christ will reign in Jerusalem over all the earth during the Millennial Reign. Will you be among those who reign with Him?

4. There will be a New Jerusalem created by God which will be His new eternal dwelling place on the new earth. Those who are followers of Christ will have the privilege of living in or visiting this new city forever. Are you saved, and will you be in heaven where the New Jerusalem will be?

Journal/Notes:

Jerusalem Sites Overview

Summary of all the Biblical Sites and Their Locations

1. Mount of Olives

2. Bethphage

• Beginning of the Triumphal Entry.

3. Chapel of Ascension

• Place from which Christ ascended to heaven and will return to in power and great glory at the end of the Great Tribulation.

4. Pater Noster Church

• Place Christ taught the Lord’s Prayer.

5. Tombs of the Prophets

• Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

6. Triumphal Entry Pathway

• The road Christ descended on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before His crucifixion on Friday.

7. Church of Dominus Flevit

• Place Christ wept over Jerusalem on the Triumphal Entry and prophesied her future destruction.

8. Church of Mary Magdalene

• Christ cast out seven demons from Mary, and she became a passionate follower of Christ.

9. Garden of Gethsemane – Church of All Nations

10. Tomb of Mary (mother of Jesus)

11. Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat)

• Place Christ will gather the nations in judgment at the end of the Tribulation Period, and their blood will flow to the depth of a horse’s bridle down toward the Dead Sea and beyond.

12. Temple Mount

• It was enlarged by Herod the Great. It’s the size of 35 football fields (35 acres, 14 hectares).

• The original temple was located exactly where the Dome of the Rock is today.

• Place the prophets ministered.

• The glory of the Lord filled the temple here.

• Place Christ ministered.

• Place the apostles ministered.

• Place the early church met.

• The Antonia Fortress was located just north of the Temple Mount.

13. Dome of the Rock (not a mosque but a shrine)

14. Western Wall

• It was part of the original wall of the Temple Mount Herod built.

• It existed during the time of Christ.

• It is the closest place (for a large gathering) to the original temple where the Jews pray.

15. Pool of Bethesda - St. Anne Church

• A lame man was healed here after waiting 38 years.

16. Via Dolorosa (painful path)

• It’s the believed path Christ took on the way to the Cross.

• It has 14 stations.

17. Gordon’s Garden Tomb - Golgotha

18. Church of the Holy Sepulchre

19. Absalom’s Tomb

20. Southern Stairs

• Place Christ taught His disciples.

• Likely location of Pentecost.

21. City of David

22. David’s Palace

23. Gihon Spring

24. Wall repaired by Nehemiah

25. Pool of Siloam

26. Hinnom Valley

• Gehenna – Idea of hell and eternal burning.

27. House of Caiaphas

• Place Peter denied Christ.

• Place Christ was condemned before Ananias and Caiaphas the high priest.

28. Tomb of David

29. The Upper Room

30. Herod’s Palace – Later, it would become Pilate’s Palace

31. Citadel of David

Gates of Jerusalem

1. Eastern Gate (Golden Gate, Shushan Gate)

• Gate Christ regularly entered on His way to the temple from the Mount of Olives.

• Peter and James healed a lame man after entering this gate.

• Closed by Ottoman Turkish Muslims in 1541 AD.

2. Lions Gate (Stephen’s Gate)

3. Herod’s Gate

4. Damascus Gate

5. New Gate

6. Jaffa Gate

7. Zion Gate

8. Dung Gate

Antonia Fortress

Location

1. The Antonia Fortress was located just outside the Temple Mount area on its northwestern side.

2. Today, Umariya Elementary School and a convent of the Sisters of Zion lie atop its ruins.

3. Some of the ruins of the Antonia Fortress can be accessed through the Convent of the Sisters of Zion.

4. Tradition places the Antonia Fortress as the beginning point of the Via Dolorosa (painful path). 

Historical Background

1. The Antonia Fortress was a military headquarters and barracks built by Herod the Great in 19 BC to protect the Temple Mount area and the city of Jerusalem. It was named after Herod’s patron, Mark Antony.

2. Some believe Jesus appeared before Pilate here and was condemned to death by crucifixion.

3. Others believe that Pilate’s Headquarters, also called Pilate’s Palace or Praetorium, was the place Christ appeared before Pilate. It’s located on the northern side of Jerusalem, just south of the Jaffa Gate. The evidence points strongly in favor of this location as the place of Christ’s trial and condemnation.

4. Some believe that the Antonia Fortress encompassed all the current Temple Mount and that the original temple and Temple Mount were in the City of David. However, Scripture clearly states that at the dedication of the temple that Solomon built, in 2 Chronicles 5, that the Ark of the covenant was brought, "out of the City of David" to the temple. "Then Solomon assembled to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ households of the sons of Israel, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the City of David, which is Zion" (2 Chron. 5:2).

If the Ark was brought out of the City of David to the temple, then the temple couldn't have been in the City of David. There is also overwhelming historical and archaeological evidence, and the writings of the famous Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, that contradict the belief that the Antonia Fortress encompassed all the Temple Mount.

Evidence that the Temple Mount was not the Antonia Fortress.

1. Contrary to what some say, the current Temple Mount existed long before the Romans arrived. The Temple Mount foundation, or platform, was first built by Solomon. Then Hezekiah enlarged it. Later, its foundations were repaired during the time of Zerubbabel when the second temple was built. We see evidence of this in the ancient stones around the Eastern Gate. They date back to the time of Solomon, Hezekiah, Zerubbabel, and Nehemiah.

2. Later, in around 141 BC, the Hasmoneans built an extension to the southern end of the Temple Mount. This can be seen in the Eastern Wall, where the bend in the wall exists. Thus, there is a change in stone styles from earlier periods to the Hasmonean period.

3. Then, in around 19 BC, Herod the Great began to enlarge the Temple Mount Platform. He would double the size of what it was during the Hasmonean period. This can be seen in the Eastern Wall as well, where there is a seam in the wall. The stone styles change from Hasmonean to Herodian. Josephus confirms this: Accordingly, in the fifteenth year of his reign [23-22 BC], Herod rebuilt the temple, and encompassed a piece of land about it with a wall, which land was twice as large as that before enclosed. The expenses he laid out upon it were vastly large also, and the riches about it were unspeakable (Wars of the Jews, Bk 1, Ch. 21, Sect. 401).

Therefore, the current Temple Mount existed long before the Romans arrived and was not expanded to be a Roman Fort.

4. There are also no historical records that a Roman Legion was stationed in Jerusalem before 66–67 AD. At this time, the Jews had revolted and recaptured Jerusalem from Roman control. The 10th Roman Legion was then moved to Jerusalem to conquer it. This was a fulfillment of Christ’s prophecy. The city was destroyed and conquered in 70 AD.

5. Facts about the 10th Roman Legion.

• It was founded in around 41 or 40 BC. It was also called the X Fretensis or Legio X.

• It was never stationed in Jerusalem until it arrived to overthrow the Jewish rebellion that had taken place wherein the Jews overtook the Roman Soldiers who were in Jerusalem and regained control. It was the 10th Roman Legion, led by Vespasian, that would win the battle to recapture Jerusalem from the Jews in 70 AD.

• From 67 onward, X Fretensis fought in the war against the Jews. It was commanded by Marcus Ulpius Trajanus, the father of the future emperor. The supreme commander of the Roman forces in Judaea was general Vespasian, who was to become emperor during the civil war that broke out after the suicide of Nero in 68 AD.

• After the conclusion of the Jewish revolt in around 73 AD, Legio X was garrisoned at Jerusalem. Their main camp was positioned on the Western Hill, located in the southern half of the old city, now leveled of all former buildings. The camp of the Tenth was built using the surviving portions of the walls of Herod the Great's palace, demolished by order of Titus. The camp was at the end of the cardo maximus of Aelia Capitolina (Pace, H. Geva, The Camp of the Tenth Legion in Jerusalem: An Archaeological Reconsideration, IEJ 34, 1984, pp. 247-249).

6. Josephus clearly describes and clarifies that the Antonia Fortress was destroyed by the Romans when they conquered and tore down the temple in 70 AD: Titus now ordered the troops that were with him to raze the foundations of Antonia and to prepare an easy ascent [into the Temple Mount] for the whole army (Wars Ch. 6, Sect 93). Meanwhile, the rest of the Roman army, having in seven days overthrown the foundations of Antonia, had prepared a broad ascent to the Temple (Wars Ch. 6, Sect. 149).

It is vital to understand that when Josephus wrote this, it was in 70 AD, more than 70 years after Herod enlarged the Temple Mount Platform. Also, the Tenth Roman Legion never was stationed in Jerusalem until after it was conquered in 70 AD. So, the idea that the current Temple Mount Platform was built for the Tenth Roman Legion is entirely false.

7. If the Antonia was destroyed in seven days, it reveals that it wasn’t that big. Also, it was destroyed, so there is no way the current Temple Mount could be the Antonia Fortress.

Places of Interest

1. Ecce Homo Arch (behold the man)

2. Convent of the Sisters of Zion

3. Pavement stones with Roman carved games on them.

4. Pavement stones with carved grooves.

5. Temple Mount

Antonia Fortress in the Bible

1. The Antonia Fortress is the believed place where the Via Dolorosa begins.

Tradition places the Antonia Fortress as the beginning place of the Via Dolorosa. However, the site with the best evidence for being the beginning place of the Via Dolorosa is Pilate’s Palace, located just south of the Jaffa Gate.

Antonia Fortress during the time of Christ

2. Paul addressed an angry mob from the Antonia Fortress.

Acts 21:27–40: When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him [Paul] in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place. 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. 31 While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 At once he took along some soldiers and centurions and ran down to them; and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. 34 But among the crowd some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 When he got to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob; 36 for the multitude of the people kept following them, shouting, Away with him! 37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, May I say something to you? And he said, Do you know Greek? 38 Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness? 39 But Paul said, I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people. 40 When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned to the people with his hand; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect.

Original stone floor of the Antonia Fortress

Faith Lesson from the Antonia Fortress

1. Paul suffered at the Antonia Fortress for his faith. Are we willing to boldly proclaim our faith and suffer as a result if necessary?

2. Paul shared his testimony often. Do we have our testimony memorized, and do we share it when talking to others about God?

Journal/Notes:

Chapel of the Ascension: Ascension and Return of Christ

Location

1. The Chapel of the Ascension sits at the highest place on the Mount of Olives.

2. Near the Ascension Chapel is the Russian Orthodox Church of the Ascension, built in 1870, which is another traditional site of the ascension. It is located near a tall tower in the village of A-Tur.

Historical Background

1. Early Christians soon memorialized this place after Christ’s resurrection.

2. In 384 AD, a pilgrim named Egeria found two footprints embedded in a rock that she claimed were those of Christ when He ascended to heaven.

3. Constantine's mother, Helena, had a church built here as a memorial chapel at the end of the 4th century.

4. This chapel was rebuilt in the 7th century.

5. It was again rebuilt by the Crusaders around 1100 AD.

6. In 1198 AD, the chapel was destroyed by Saladin under Ottoman Muslim conquest, and a mosque was built on its site. However, part of the original chapel was left intact. The bases of the columns can be seen today.

7. At this time, since the chapel was primarily used by Christians, a mosque was built during the Ottoman period on the south side of the compound, and the chapel was converted into a Muslim shrine.

8. Today, both Christians and Muslims visit this place, and it’s open to all.

9. Because it’s the highest place on the Mount of Olives, it’s the believed place from where Christ ascended back to heaven.

10. It’s also the believed place where Christ will return to earth at His second coming.

Places of Interest

1. Chapel of the Ascension

2. Russian Orthodox Church of the Ascension

3. Mount of Olives

4. Old City Jerusalem

Location of the Chapel of Ascension in the Bible

1. Christ ascended back to heaven from the top of the Mount of Olives.

Acts 1:6–12: So when they had come together, they asked him, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? 7 He said to them, It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.

2. The return of Christ to earth will be one of the greatest culminating events in Scripture.

Zechariah 14:4: On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that