Mount of Olives

Throughout the country of Israel, you will find many rich, historical places such as the Mount of Olives. This mountain ridge is located to the east of Jerusalem and named because of the massive olive trees that grow on either side.

Then at the base of the mountain is the beautiful Garden of Gethsemane, the very place where the Bible tells us that Jesus stayed while in this city. In fact, the Mount of Olives is a place talked about in the Bible as being a very important location for events. For instance, in the book of Zechariah, the Mount of Olives is the place where God will start to redeem the dead during the end days.

Because of this, the Jewish people seek to be buried on the mountains. Even from the early days to present times, the mountain is used just for that, a Jewish cemetery with so 150,000 graves there, which includes a number of famous people. Inside the Tomb of Zechariah, are the prophet, Yad Avshalom, and a number of rabbis dating from the 15th century. Additionally, several 20th century people are buried at the Mount of Olives such as the Chief Rabbi of Israel and Abraham Isaac Kook. Sadly, many of the graves have been vandalized over the years.

The Mount of Olives is first mentioned when David fled Jerusalem and then again in the book of Zechariah. However, the Mount of Olives is often mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible as well. You will also find that the road to Bethany from Jerusalem runs over Mount Olive, this being the very road where Jesus stood while weeping over the city. In fact, Jesus spent quite a bit of time on the Mount of Olives where he would teach his disciples.

Rather than an actual mountain, the Mount of Olives is comprised of four summits. First, there is the Galilee Peak, which is called this because of the tradition that angels would come and stand there as they spoke to Jesus’ disciples. Next is the Mount of Ascension, the site of that particular event, the Prophets, which is so named because of the catacombs on either side known as the “prophets’ tombs”, and finally, the Mount of Corruption, because this being the high place where King Solomon would worship his many, foreign wives.

The Mount of Olives is also the home to a number of religious sites. For instance, there is the Church of all Nations, the Dominus Flevit Church, the Church of Maria Magdalene, and Gethsemane. Another site, the Church of the Holy Ascension was actually taken by Saladin in 1187. Converted into a mosque, it remains that today, containing the last footprint of Jesus before going to Heaven to meet his Heavenly Father.

When at the Mount of Olives, you definitely want to visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the place where Jesus prayed to his Father just hours before being crucified. Then, the Church of Mary Magdalene is a Russian Orthodox Church that was built in 1888 in honor of the czar’s mother. Inside, you will find beautiful mosaic designs depicting Mary Magdalene as she presents an egg to the Emperor Tiberius. As mentioned, the area is abundant with Olive Trees but since they do not have rings like most trees, telling an exact age is impossible. However, current experts believe the trees to be somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 years of age.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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