The Gospels record several journeys made by Jesus. Of particular note is his trip to Jerusalem, where he was met by an enthusiastic mob and taken directly into Caiaphas’ palace.
Forty days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph traveled to the Jerusalem temple to present Him before God. Simeon, the prophet, blessed Mary and Joseph.
Nazareth
Nazareth is one of the most fascinating cities in Israel, famous for being Jesus’ childhood home and serving as a Christian pilgrimage destination today. Many shrines and sites throughout Nazareth commemorate biblical events, like the Basilica of Annunciation, Mary’s Well,, and St Joseph Church – as well as its old city, which features charming coffee shops, unique souvenir stores, and street food options that make an enjoyable exploration trip!
Imagine this, but Jesus Nazareth existed as an obscure village with less than 200 residents overlooking a barren valley populated by people of no significance at that time. Archaeological excavations only recently unearthed any evidence of its existence between then and the Byzantine period (4th century CE).
Salm reports on an archaeological find he considers proof of Nazareth during Jesus’ time: an excavated house with remains dating back to 100 BCE and pottery that dates further back. While its exact etymology remains unknown, speculations exist about its name: possibly connected to Hebrew words meaning sprouts or perhaps related to Philip’s Gospel description of his messiah as “shoot from Jesse’s stump” (for more details, read our article).
Discovering this house has added another level to the ongoing discussion about whether Nazareth existed during Jesus’ lifetime. The tale surrounding its discovery will pique your interest as it offers insight into its people and history-making. Nazareth is an excellent tour stop that includes Capernaum and Jerusalem!
Capernaum
Location of Capernaum along the Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Kinneret, Gennesareth, or Tiberias). Jesus regularly healed, taught, and preached here – and provided a home for four disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, and others such as tax collector Matthew. Here, He declared His curse over Bethsaida Chorazin for their lack of faith in Him.
Gospel writers refer to this fishing village 19 times; its prominence can be attributed to its significance in Jesus’ life and ministry.
After leaving Nazareth, Jesus made Capernaum his primary location for public ministry in Galilee. Here, He performed numerous miracles and healed multiple people – among them were two leaders from a local synagogue who also brought their daughters for healing. It was also here where He selected five of His twelve disciples – including Peter and Andrew as fishermen!
The Gospels chronicle Jesus’ sermons and parables given in this town. He was even raised dead. Being such a large and bustling port city, news about Jesus quickly spread.
Today, Capernaum remains a popular pilgrimage site for Christians worldwide. Excavations have unearthed its ancient town ruins, which now belong to Franciscans who oversee its archeological site; additionally, a modern church sits atop Peter’s house with a glass floor to enable viewing.
Jericho
Jericho was once an oasis in the Jordan Valley, famed for its abundance of palm trees and strategic location near north, south, east, and west migration routes. Joshua attacked and cursed it (Joshua 6:17); Rahab provided shelter to spies (Joshua 7) while Jesus encountered Zacchaeus, the tax collector (Luke 19:2-10).
John the Baptist preached here by baptizing people in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:1-4 and Mark 1:4), while Jesus healed blind men and brought salvation to Zacchaeus’ house (Luke 19:29-34 and Matthew 20:29-34). Jericho sits a few miles south of Jerusalem on the edge of the Dead Sea, and archaeological excavations demonstrate its former prominence as one of the thriving cities during its heyday.
Jericho stands out as an exceptional intersection of archaeology and biblical scripture, where most believe archaeological findings verified the biblical account of its collapse. The impressive remains in Jericho are among the most beautiful sites in the Middle East; excavated by such prominent archaeologists as Charles Warren (1868), Sellin and Watzinger (1907-13), Garstang (1930-36), and Kathleen Kenyon (1952-58).
Today, scholars agree that Old Testament Jericho was located a mile and a half northwest of modern Jericho at Tel es-Sultan – consisting of a central mound measuring 1,200 ft long by 50ft high with four smaller piles around it – standing on the west bank of a deep wadi (gorge in Jordan River). Herod later expanded this city more than one mile south at Wadi Qilt.
Perea
Perea was located east of the Jordan River and spanned from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea at its eastern edge. Once part of Herod’s Kingdom, but following his death, it fell under Herod Antipas’ tetrarchy rule and was home to the Reuben and Gad tribes of Israelites and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
As Jesus journeyed from Galilee to Jerusalem, He passed through Perea. He performed many miracles and taught about God’s Kingdom – this period is known as His “Perean Ministry.” It marked an essential point in His itinerant ministry and preparations for His death and resurrection.
Perea was the site of many significant events, including Jesus healing blind men and Zacchaeus, the tax collector, teaching His parable of the Good Samaritan here, and holding His teaching of its parable in Perea – events which highlight God’s plan for redemption and salvation through Christ. Its significance is aligned with that message in scripture as a whole.
Jesus’ journey through Perea marked the start of His Passion Week, during which He preached and taught about the Kingdom of God to crowds and taught in parables about how it worked. Gospel writers recorded many interactions and teachings from Jesus during this period – such as His eventual crucifixion – along with stories involving Him preaching and teaching about it to crowds.
Today, Perea attracts biblical scholars, theologians, pilgrims, and tourists looking to understand Jesus’ life and ministry in context. Additionally, this region boasts stunning landscapes and archaeological sites that draw tourists. Perea is steeped in history and believed to be where many biblical events took place in its vicinity.
Jerusalem
Jerusalem has always been one of the most significant cities in history and biblical prophecy, serving as both the center for the Jewish faith and the center of Christianity. Abraham first encountered Melchizedek, the King of Salem (Genesis 14:18-24), when they met there for the first time (Genesis 14).
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. According to Luke 2:1-5, Joseph and pregnant Mary traveled there from Galilee for a Roman census (Luke 2:1-5). Bethlehem is also home to King David who founded its temple (1 Kings 6:1-21).
After his birth, according to Matthew 2:1-11, wise men from the east saw a star that led them directly to Judea and its newborn king of Jews (Matthew 2-11). Most likely, these magi hailed from Babylon, where there was considerable interest in astrology; earlier still, Queen Sheba visited King Solomon at Jerusalem to pay her respects and give gifts (Kgs 10:1-10). Jerusalem has always been an attractive destination for visitors from distant lands; many tombs in Kidron Valley have both Hebrew and Greek inscriptions: magoi graves as well as one which records one that records another Jewish sage from Adiabene (now modern Turkey).
The Bible contains numerous references to the people’s return from exile to Jerusalem and reconstruction of their temple there (Joel 3:1; Jeremiah 23:3; 30:7; Ezekiel 11:17; 37:1-14), with prophetic predictions foretelling its coming with Jesus sitting upon its throne (Zechariah 12:11-14:4).
Jerusalem is a bustling urban center known for its lively Old City and Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim neighborhoods. Home to three of the world’s religions, as well as their holiest sites, its unique cosmopolitan atmosphere can be seen through its diverse architecture.
