Introduction
Bethlehem, Judea, the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, and Nain are just a few places Jesus went in the New Testament gospels. For many readers, these locations are obscure and strange. Many modern people who live in the Western world haven’t been to the Holy Land. Therefore, we hear about these various cities and towns and don’t give much attention to them. We read through the gospels and pass over the locations mentioned, but we do not give them much thought.
They’re as foreign to us as a modern American city would be to a first-century Middle Eastern man or woman. Having an awareness of the places Jesus went can help us to have a greater understanding of Jesus’ life. Gaining knowledge of the significance of these locations will also broaden our understanding of Christ’s life. For the remainder of this essay, we’ll follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We will consider some of the places mentioned in Jesus’ travels. Of course, I could name every single location regardless of size or significance. However, I’m going to approach this topic by focusing on more significant locations and the reason for their significance.
Where It All Began
Let’s begin where the Gospel of Matthew begins, in Bethlehem, the place of Jesus’ birth. Most people have heard of this town because of its mention in the Christmas Carol, “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”. But this town is more significant than simply being the focus of a song. Matthew 2 tells us that it’s the location of Jesus’ birth. The place of Jesus’ birth wasn’t a random town or simply the city in which his parents dwelled. His parents went there to be counted in the census.
Many years before the census was called, the prophet Micah declared that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:6, quoting Micah 5, says, “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” In this tiny, easily ignored place, Jesus Christ, the King of Promise, was born to the Virgin Mary.
However, following his birth, he didn’t remain in Bethlehem. His family returned to the town of Nazareth in the Galilee area. He grew up there and waited for his public ministry to begin.
Places Jesus Went in The Region of Galilee
As we consider Jesus’ ministry locations, we must recognize that most of his life and ministry occurred in the Galilee region. This region was in northern Israel and included cities such as Nazareth, Cana, Capernaum, and Nain. In this section, we’ll examine some of these places.
Nazareth
Nazareth was the small town that Jesus called home for the first thirty years of his life. This is why he was referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth” (Matt 26:17; Mark 1:24; Luke 18:37, etc.). There is no reference to Nazareth in the Old Testament, and it was located in the southern portion of Galilee. This city was of such obscurity that when it was reported to Nathanael that the one Moses and the prophets spoke of was Jesus of Nazareth, he responded, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). No one expected or could’ve foreseen that the Messiah would reside in and come from Nazareth.
Cana: The First Miracle and the First of the Places Jesus Went
Jesus’ early ministry began with a flourish. In John 2, his first public miracle is recounted at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. While attending the wedding, Jesus’ mother told him that the wine had run out. This might seem like a minor inconvenience or a sign that it was time for the festivities to wrap up. However, in the time in which Jesus lived, to run out of wine at a wedding was a shameful thing. It signified a lack of preparation, hospitality, and means to provide a proper celebration.
Having been told that the wine had run dry, Jesus miraculously turned jars of water into wine. John tells us this miracle was “the first of his signs, Jesus did in Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory” (John 2:11). It was in this region, where he had lived, grown up, and was known, that Jesus first revealed his glory.
Mount of Beatitudes
On at least two occasions during his public ministry, in the region of Galilee, Jesus ascended a mountain. Perhaps the most well-known mountain incident is the Sermon on the Mount. This time of teaching is described in the Gospel of Matthew 5-7. It is believed that Jesus gave this famous piece of teaching from the Mount of the Beatitudes. This mountain was found on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
This sermon is primarily concerned with what life in the kingdom of God is to look like. Jesus instructs his hearers about what a disciple is going to look like. Jesus began his teaching with the Beatitudes. There, he called his followers to live as salt and light in this world. He also pointed out that one’s obedience isn’t simply concerned with outward expression. Rather, we must also be concerned about the inward orientation of our hearts, living for the approval of the Father.
Places Jesus Went in Caesarea Philippi
Caesarea Philippi was an area near Mt Hermon. It was believed to be the mountain where the transfiguration took place. It was on Israel’s extreme northern border, near the main source of the river Jordan.
This place is significant because it was where Peter made his confession that Jesus is the Christ (Matt 16:16). Peter was at his best when he made this profession. Soon after, he was close to being at his worst. Shortly after Peter declared that Jesus was Christ, he faltered. Peter said that Christ was the fulfillment of Old Testament promises and on whom all the hopes of redemption rested.
Jesus told his disciples that he would have to suffer and die, but Peter didn’t like this. He took Jesus aside and rebuked him because of this claim (Matt 16:22). And this Peter, who had just been affirmed (Matt 16:17-19), Jesus rebuked and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man” (Matt 16:23). It was beyond Peter’s comprehension that Jesus had to suffer and die. The fact of the matter was that Jesus would move forward towards the cross. At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus confirmed that regardless of what his followers thought, he had to go to his death.
Nain
One final location in the region of Galilee is the town of Nain. In Luke 7, we’re told that as Jesus and his disciples came near the town of Nain, they saw a funeral procession leaving the city. The man who had died was the only son of a widow. Without a husband, and now with the death of her son, this woman would soon be in great need. It was this woman to whom Jesus directed his gaze.
Miracle While Walking
Luke says that Jesus saw her, had compassion on her, and said to her, “Do not weep” (Luke 7:13). This wasn’t a callous or insensitive statement Jesus was making. He knew why she was filled with sorrow. No, his call for her to dry her tears was because he was about to perform a great miracle. Jesus stopped the procession and spoke to the dead, “Young man, I say to you, ‘arise’” (Luke 7:14). And he did!
Why This Miracle?
Of course, Jesus performed many miracles. So you may wonder, “Why point out this one?” The reason is the parallels between Jesus and the Old Testament prophet Elijah. In 1 Kings 17, a similar event occurs. In that passage, the only son of a widow died. Then the prophet entered the young man’s room, stretched himself upon the corpse, and prayed to God to give this man back his life (1 Kings 17:21). God revived the young man, and Elijah gave him back to his mother.
Greater Than Elijah
This is the exact phrase used in Luke, thus pointing to the parallel of Jesus. A parallel that the people understand. When the people saw the boy resurrected, they “glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has arisen among us!’ and ‘God has visited his people!’” (Luke 7:16). In the small town of Nain, Jesus showed, by his miracle, that he was a greater prophet than even Elijah.
Places Jesus Went in Jerusalem
The majority of Jesus’ public ministry occurred in the region of Galilee. However, several significant events in his life happened in and around the city of Jerusalem. Due to this fact, we’ll turn our attention to some of the places around the Holy City (cf. Isa 52:1). However, before looking at these areas, we need to consider the significance of Jerusalem for the Jewish people.
Jerusalem is set high in the hills of Judah. The city was central to the religious life of faithful Jews because it was the location of the Temple. This was the place where God’s people would offer sacrifices and where God would meet with them. The religious practices of Israel centered on this city.
Jesus healed, taught, prayed, and ministered within the city walls and its vicinity.
Let’s now look at some of these places.
The Pool of Siloam
The pool of Siloam was a small body of water within the city walls. The rabbis of Jesus’ day believed its waters to be physically therapeutic. Thus, it was common to find those who were physically ailing near the pool and seek to get into it.
This is the background to a scene in John 9. Jesus and his disciples are in the city of Jerusalem. They passed by a blind man who had been in this condition since birth. The disciples asked Jesus if it was because of this man’s sins that he was born blind. Or was it due to his parents’ sin that he was born blind? Jesus answered his disciples that it was neither because of this man’s nor his parents’ sin that he was blind. Instead, the power of God would be displayed (John 9:3). He made mud, rubbed it in the man’s eyes, and told him: “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (John 9:7). The man obeyed. He went to the pool, washed the mud away, and returned to Jesus, where he was able to see.
Yes, Jesus sent the man to the pool, and its waters washed away the mud. But it’s clear from the narrative that the pool didn’t bring about the healing; Jesus did. The pool was merely the instrument Jesus used to heal this man.
The Upper Room
Another significant event that took place in Jerusalem was the Last Supper (Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20). As the Passover drew near, Jesus’ disciples asked him where they were to have this meal. Jesus instructed them to go into the city to find a man carrying a jar. They were to say to him, “The Teacher says, ‘Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’” (Mark 14:14). The man then showed the disciples the place to prepare for the meal.
That evening, Jesus and his disciples shared the Passover. Not only was this the Passover, but also, while they were eating, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. He blessed the bread, broke it, gave it to them, and said: “Take; this is my body” (Mark 14:22). He gave thanks for the wine, gave it to them, and said: “This is my blood which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:24). Unbeknownst to his disciples, this was the last meal they would have with him before his crucifixion. It was the Passover/institution of the Lord’s Supper.
Luke refers to this room as the “upper room” (Luke 22:12), where the Last Supper took place. It’s believed that this is the same room where the earliest Jerusalem believers gathered. Tradition maintained the room’s location. The remains of a place of worship erected there between AD 73 and 135 are still seen on the site.
The Mount of Olives
Following the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn and went to the Mount of Olives (Matt 26:30). The Mount of Olives was outside the city walls. This wasn’t the first time Jesus and his disciples had visited the Mount of Olives. But this occasion was quite significant.
Garden of Gethsemane
As they climbed the Mountain, Jesus led them to a garden called Gethsemane (Matt 26:36)). Entering the garden, he left most of his disciples and went deeper into the garden with Peter, James, and John.
Deep in the garden, in the night, Jesus asked his closest friends to stay awake and pray. He went a little way away and prayed. It was in this prayer that Jesus made requests on behalf of his disciples. In his sorrow, he asked for another way to fulfill the Father’s plan, and he willingly gave himself up to the will of the Father (Matt 26:39).
Though he had asked his friends to stay awake and pray with him, they could not resist falling asleep. Three times, Jesus found them slumbering rather than praying. On the third occasion, Jesus roused them because the end was near. Judas, one of his followers, had brought soldiers to arrest him. In the darkness of the Garden, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus was unjustly arrested.
Pilate’s Palace – Gabbatha
His arrest took him back to the city and the house of the High Priest. At the home of the High Priest, Jesus was interrogated by the chief priests, elders, and scribes. As he was questioned, he remained silent. But, when he was asked directly if he was “the Son of the Blessed” (Mark 14:61), Jesus answered, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). Because of this answer, those who questioned him, falsely concluded that Jesus had blasphemed and was deserving of death. However, those who called for his death didn’t have the authority to sentence him. So, they took him to the home of Pontius Pilate.
Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. He was the Roman authority over that area and had the power to sentence a man to death. Pilate was sure that Jesus was not guilty of anything (Mark 15:10). Despite that, he was swayed by the mob and delivered Jesus up to be crucified.
Golgatha
The place of crucifixion was outside the city walls, a place called “Golgotha.” Golgotha means “Place of a Skull” (Mark 15:22). It was here that Jesus was crucified. It was at Golgotha that Jesus was wrongfully put to death. He took the judgment he didn’t deserve. He took the sins of his people on himself so that they wouldn’t face the judgment they deserved. This was a place of darkness, injustice, and death. It became the place where Jesus gave grace and forgiveness to all those who believed in him.
The Tomb
Having breathed his last breath on that cross, Jesus was dead.
After Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate to let him take his body away. Joseph’s purpose was to bury him (Mark 15:43). Joseph owned a garden tomb that no one had been laid in (Matt 27:60). He put the body of Jesus in it. A stone was rolled over the mouth of the tomb, and soldiers guarded the entrance.
Yet, the tomb, the stone, and the soldiers couldn’t contain him. On the third day, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb, but they didn’t find a body. Instead, the stone was rolled away (Matt 28:2), and the tomb was empty (Matt 28:5-7). Jesus, though he had died, was now alive. He was resurrected! Jesus had defeated sin, death, and the grave. He had conquered death by the resurrection. Jesus took the sins of his people upon himself; he also rose on their behalf to give them life. The place of the dead, the garden tomb, had become the place for the living.
Places Jesus Went Between Resurrection and Ascension
Of course, the women were shocked and surprised to find the tomb empty, but that wasn’t their only response. Mary, thinking that someone had stolen the body, stood outside the tomb weeping. Turning from the tomb, she came upon the resurrected Jesus, whom she did not recognize in her sorrow. Yet when he said her name, “Mary” (John 20:16), she realized who was before her. Jesus had appeared outside the tomb to this woman.
From the Graveyard to the Locked Room
This appearance in the graveyard wasn’t the only time Jesus was seen following his resurrection. He appeared to his disciples, though Thomas wasn’t with them that evening (John 20:19-23). Eight days later, he appeared to them, but this time, Thomas was present (John 20:26-29). Both of these appearances occurred behind closed doors, in a locked room. Yet, these aren’t the only times the resurrected Jesus was seen.
Where He Was Seen But Not Seen
In Luke’s gospel, before Jesus appeared in the room to his followers, he walked alongside two of them (Cleopas and another unnamed disciple) on their way to the village of Emmaus. As he walked with them, they didn’t initially recognize him. Jesus taught them how the Messiah had to suffer and die and enter into the glory of the Father (Luke 24:13-27). Following this conversation, at the behest of these two men, Jesus stayed with them. As they sat to eat, Jesus broke the bread, and the men’s eyes were opened to who he was. Following this, the men went to the eleven disciples and told them all they had seen and heard. As they spoke of the resurrected Jesus, he appeared to them in the room, and he ate a meal with them (Luke 24:36-43).
The Shore, Hot Coals, Fish, Bread, and the Restoration Of Peter
This isn’t the only meal that is recorded after Jesus’ resurrection. In John 21, the disciples were fishing on the Sea of Tiberias. Jesus stood on the seashore, calling out to them about their day’s catch. When they came upon the shore, Jesus invited them to breakfast. It was here, after the breakfast, that Jesus restored Peter. Jesus asked his question three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). In each instance, Peter said yes, and Jesus told him to care for God’s sheep. Peter, the one who had denied Jesus before his death, was now restored by Jesus.
Recommended Reading
Jesus the King by Timothy Keller
An Introduction to the New Testament by D.A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo
