Tag: Bible
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Where Christ Taught the Apostles the Lord’s Prayer at Pater Noster on the Mount of Olives
On the site where tradition held that Jesus Christ taught the 12 disciples the Lord’s Prayer: “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto… Read more
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Wine and Vineyards in the Bible
Wine and grape vineyards are found throughout the Old and New Testaments. As a part of daily life they are mentioned in both good and bad contexts. We will examine a cross section the of various passages. Perhaps the most important for our future is in Isaiah 63:1-7: “Who is this that cometh from Edom… Read more
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The Western Wall of Jerusalem, the Holiest Site in Judaism
The Western Wall, sometimes incorrectly called the wailing wall, was built by King Herod the Great in about 20 BC. It was a retaining wall to Herod’s expansion of the temple mount complex. The lower mammoth stone blocks (weighing several tons) have decorative chiseled borders and are original. The smaller upper blocks are much later,… Read more
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The Tower of David in Jerusalem
The Tower of David, a.k.a. The Citadel, is one of the oldest structures in Jerusalem. The first fortress was built on this spot by Herod the Great (about 72 to 1 BC). From that time the fortress has been rebuilt multiple times. It was the site of the Palace-Castle of the Crusader Kings and Queens… Read more
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Crusader Buildings in Jerusalem that are Still Observable
The Christian Crusaders (1099 to 1291 AD) built many monumental structures in Jerusalem. Many still exist in part, or in whole. The Kingdom of Jerusalem was established shortly after the conquest of Jerusalem in 1099 AD. There were 24 kings and queens of the kingdom plus 14 regents who ruled in place of an underage… Read more
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Olive and Olive Oil: Health Facts and Religious Symbols
The olive and its oil are an amazing and wonderful fruit and oil. It is mentioned throughout all scripture for both it’s religious and health uses. Both uses seem to be related to each other in some way. Let’s first review the health benefits of olive oil. When I say olive oil, I am only… Read more
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The Decapolis City of Sussita (Hippos) Overlooking the Sea of Galilee
Sussita, also spelled Susita, is the Aramaic name for the Decapolis city of Hippos (which is the Greek name). Both names mean “horse” in their respective languages. The 10 cities of the Decapolis were autonomous but, dependent upon Rome for protection. Nine of the cities were east of the Jordan River and Sea of Galilee… Read more
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Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls
Qumran was a small settlement during New Testament times by a fringe Jewish religious group called Essene. The settlement was located in the Judean wilderness desert near the northwest shores of the Dead Sea. The Essenes removed themselves from mainline Judaism because of the corruption of the temple priests at Jerusalem. They lived a communal… Read more
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Woman Healed from an Issue of Blood, Luke 8
While Jesus was making his way through a crowded street in Capernaum, a woman desiring to be healed touched the fringe of Jesus’ tallit’s tzitzit (see definition below): “But as he went the people thronged him. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither… Read more
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The Jerusalem Destruction by the Romans in 70 AD, as Exemplified at the “Burnt House”
What is known as the First Jewish Revolt against Rome began in 66 AD. Emperor Nero sent General Vespasian to crush the rebellion. Vespasian’s plan was to first defeat the countryside and to take Jerusalem last. Part way through the war Nero died and Vespasian was made emperor. He left for Rome leaving his son… Read more