Bible Evidence
The Garden Tomb
Discovered near Jerusalem
The garden tomb is a highly significant site near the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Cross and the empty tomb are of paramount importance to Chrisitans, representing the greatest sacrifice and the greatest miracle in human history.
For much of the Christian era, visitors to Jerusalem have been lead to believe that Jesus was crucified and buried at sites located within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. But the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is situated well inside the contemporary city walls and it is difficult to see how it was once a menacing site on the outskirts of the city in Roman times.
Logically, a death sentance would be executed outside the city walls, as stated in the Bible ("carry his own cross, he went out to the place of the skull- which in Aramaic is call Golgotha") John 19:17. And Jewish custom required that the dead be buried on the far edges of the city. Besides, the scriptures empatically state that the tombe was near a garden. "Now the place where Jesus was cruicified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid" John 19:41.
Logically, a death sentance would be executed outside the city walls, as stated in the Bible ("carry his own cross, he went out to the place of the skull- which in Aramaic is call Golgotha") John 19:17. And Jewish custom required that the dead be buried on the far edges of the city. Besides, the scriptures empatically state that the tombe was near a garden. "Now the place where Jesus was cruicified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid" John 19:41.
One prominent Christian explorer, British General Charles Gordon, believed that an alternative wite should be sought. As a keen student of the Bible, he was insstumental in finding the place which fits the biblcal description found in John 19 & 20. In the late 1800s, Gordon was in Jerusalem for a visit and noticed to the north of the city a prominent rocky crag which fitted the description in the Bible of the "place of the skull", the land mark recorded in the Bible as being close by the spot where Jesus was cruicified.
Scripture tells us that after Jesus was cruicified, a wealthy religious leader of the Jews, named Joseph (from Arimathea), was granted permission to take the Lord's body "and when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchrem and departed." Matt 27:59-60.
Close by the landmark skull face, Gordon discovered an ancient tomb which had been unearthed some years earlier. Noticing how the details fitted the Bible narratice, he realised this might be the actual site. Others also became convinced he had found the actual site. Support grew and funds were raised in the UK to purchase the property and establish the Garden Tomb Association.
The Garden is still owned and administered by the Garden Tomb Association today, a Charitable Trust based in London. The Garden Tomb in now believed by many to be the site of the actual garden and sepulchre of Joseph of Arimathea and the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Close by the landmark skull face, Gordon discovered an ancient tomb which had been unearthed some years earlier. Noticing how the details fitted the Bible narratice, he realised this might be the actual site. Others also became convinced he had found the actual site. Support grew and funds were raised in the UK to purchase the property and establish the Garden Tomb Association.
The Garden is still owned and administered by the Garden Tomb Association today, a Charitable Trust based in London. The Garden Tomb in now believed by many to be the site of the actual garden and sepulchre of Joseph of Arimathea and the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus.
The grounds of the Garden Tomb are about one block from the city walls, near Damascus Gate and is a quiet place preserved for worship and reflection. Visitors can enjoy the tranquility of this well kept garden and meditate on the Gospel story.
Roman Seal - An artist's impression of the Roman Soldiers making the tomb secure, as per the orders of the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate
Garden Tomb today - Visitors to Israel often comment that the highlight of their stay is the visit to the Garden Tomb (need picture to be placed here) Plus remains of the seal.....
Rich man's tomb - An artist's impression of Joseph of Aramathea placing the body of Jesus into the tomb originally prepared for himself and his family
