Buhr blog: New Testament Sites - Israel Trip, by Garth

Here are some New Testament sites we visited on our trip to Israel.

Bethlehem - Place of Jesus's Birth. There is a star in the Church of the Nativity that represents the cave where Jesus was born. The site was identified by early Christian pilgrims in the middle of the first century. The Roman Emperor Hadrian ended up building a pagan temple over this site until Constantine built the Church of Nativity on the same site.

Garth and the girl standing in front of the Church of the Nativity

Star in the Church of the Nativity which marks where Jesus was born

Mount of Beatitudes - Traditionally believed to be the site where Jesus did the Sermon on the Mount, but there is no clear evidence that it was on the exact same spot. Pilgrims in the 4th century began to identify this spot as the place where Jesus did the Sermon on the Mount.

Franciscan Basilica

Looking down towards the Sea of Galilee

Tabgha - It is the traditional site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (Mark 6:30-46) and the fourth resurrection appearance of Jesus (John 21:1-24).

Inside the Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha

Temple Mount - Jesus is dedicated as a child at the temple (Luke 2:22). Jesus listened to the teaching in the Temple at the age of 12 (Luke 2:41-52). Jesus taught at the temple (Luke 21:37). Jesus drove out the money changers (Matthew 21:12-13). The Dome of the Rock now covers the site where the temple used to be.

Eileen and the girls outside the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount

Garth standing outside the Dome of the Rock

Inside the Dome of the Rock looking toward where the Holy of Holies would have been. Non-Muslims are not allowed in the Dome of the Rock. We were able to get someone standing by the door to take this picture inside for us (he even included a picture of his finger)

Capernaum - Site of of Jesus's ministry - Jesus heals Peter's Mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-39). Dead daughter of Jairus raised (Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41). Paralyzed man let down through the roof and healed (Mark 2:1-12). Jesus caused four of his disciples to catch a fish in a miraculous way (Luke 5: 1-11). Through a fish, Jesus supplied tribute tax money needed by Peter (Matthew 17:24-27). Healing of the centurion's servant afflicted with palsy (Matthew 8:5-13). Healing of the son of a nobleman in the King's court of Herod Antipas (John 4:46-54). Capernaum was settled from the second century BC until the 11th century AD. It was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt at least twice during this time frame.

Ruins of a 4th century synangogue. The synagogue was built on the ruins of the synagogue that Jesus would have preached in

Remains of Peter's house. There is a Byzantine Church built over the remains of the house

Ruins of Capernaum

Mount of Olives - Jesus starts his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday from the Mount of Olives (Matthew 21:1). They went out to the Mount of Olives after they celebrated the Passover meal (Matthew 26:30). Jesus was talking to his disciples about the end times from the Mount of Olives looking down at the Temple (Matthew 24-25). Each day after he spent teaching in the Temple, Jesus would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37).

Looking down towards the Dome of the Rock and the rest of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives

Golden Gate where Jesus would have entered on Palm Sunday. Gate was closed off in 1541 by the Muslims; they speculated that this way the Messiah would not return and be able to enter the city through the Golden Gate. (I don't think that will stop him)

Garden of Gethsemane - The place that Jesus went with some of his disciples to pray before he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. It is located closer to the bottom of the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39-46).

Olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane

Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Site where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. Constantine built the Church around 325 AD. A pagan temple was on the site before the Church was built. Romans would often place pagan temples on sites that were considered important by Christians to discourage Christians from following their beliefs and worshiping at the sites.

Here is an excellent article on the topic: Pagan Temples built on Christian sites

View of the Church from the Citadel (site of Herod's Palace)

Front entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Close up view of the Church

Old tomb in the Church

Joppa - The home of Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, a Christian lady known for her goodness and generosity. When she became ill and died Peter, by the power of God, restored her to life (Acts 9:36-41). It was also at Joppa, while in the home of Simon the tanner, that Peter had the vision that showed him that the Gospel was to go out to Gentiles as well as Jews (Acts 10:9-16, 36-43).

The four girls in front of the house of Simon the Tanner

Caeserea Phillipi - Caesarea Philippi, an ancient Roman city, was located close to the Golan Heights northeast of the Sea of Galilee. It was a city dedicated to the Greek god Pan and called Banias, Paneas, or Baniyas. The surrounding region was known as the Panion. The city is mentioned in the gospels of Matthew (Matthew 16:13) and Mark (Mark 8:27-33).

Grotto where sacrifices were made to the god of Pan

Walking through the ruins of Caeserea Phillipi

Pool of Bethesda - The lame man is cured at the pools of Bethesda. (John 5:1-15).

Ruins of the Pool of Bethesda

Caeserea - This city was the Roman administrative center during the time of Jesus. It is on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, about 30 miles north of Joppa. First Gentile convert - Cornelius (a Roman centurion) was from Caeserea. He was converted to Christianity after Peter went to visit him from Joppa. In Jerusalem, Paul was arrested and sent to Caeserea for his trial. He was imprisoned in Caeserea for two years. Paul was tried before the governor Felix and also Festus who succeeded Felix as Governor. Paul wanted to be tried in Rome before the emperor and appealed to the governor because he was a Roman citizen. Paul, as a prisioner, was then sent to Rome to be tried. (Acts 23:33 – 27:2)