Homeland of Jesus

- 14 - Through the Homeland of Jesus Fr Joseph Kappil The City of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus

We have set out on our pilgrimage through the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem enters the history of the Bible through the reference to Melchizedech, the king of Salem and the priest of God Most High, and Abraham(cf Gen 14:17-20). In the last issue we had a bird's-eye view of the history of Jerusalem until the time of Jesus. The Jerusalem of the Old Testament which forms the first part of the salvation history of the Bible, reached a decisive stage at the time of Jesus and soared into the greatest heights of glory. It was there that the salvific mystery of Jesus took place.

In this issue we shall visit the Jerusalem that Jesus saw, that Jesus walked in, the city where he preached his gospel, worked his miracles, and at the end the of his life, completed his self-oblation.

Later, we shall continue our pilgrimage through the holy places that were the back- drop for the salvific mysteries of the end of Jesus' life.

Let us look at the Jerusalem that Jesus was familiar with. The Jerusalem of Jesus' time was the most important city of Palestine and reared its proud head under Herod the great, as his capital. It was adorned with wonderful architectural finesse and superb splendour and pomp. Its history is this: In BC 63 Palestine came under the Roman emperor. All this time, Herod, an Idumaean according to the tribal tradition (the tribe of Esau, Jacob's brother, was known as Idumaean) began exercising more and more power in administrative matters. He had the throne of Palestine in view and tried to win the favour' of the Roman emperor in whatever way possible. The Roman emperor and Roman Senate, pleased with Herod, decided to assign him the administration of Palestine. Thus in BC 37, Herod became the king of all of Palestine under the dominion of the Roman emperor. Herod governed Palestine as the faithful steward of Rome. Jesus was born in Bethlehem towards the end of the reign of Herod who died in BC 4. (Bible scholars say that Jesus was born between BC 4 and BC 7).

Palestine, in a devastated, weakened state, began developing and attained power and prestige under the reign of Herod. New towns sprouted all over the country. Development works were started and several palaces constructed. Herod's main interest, however, was concentrated in Jerusalem. His excessive interest in architecture prompted him to make Jerusalem splendid and beautiful. He extended the frontiers, fortified the encircling walls and beautified them. He levelled the hill top in the east on which stood the temple and made it more spacious. In BC 537 the Jews, who had been in the captivity of Babylon, returned, and, under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, built a small temple. Herod demolished this temple and, in its place, constructed a huge and magnificent one. It was in the construction of this temple that his talent for architecture and sculpture found the most effective expression. The hilly area was levelled, forty-two acres of land transformed into the temple premises and in the midst of it rose a most splendid temple. There were magnificent porticoes with marble pillars all around. The portico on the eastern side was named "Solomon's portico" (Jn10:22-24).

It was this temple built by Herod that Jesus noticed. It was here that the twelve-year-old Jesus, was engaged in a discussion with the teachers on the occasion of the celebration of the Pasch. It was the destruction of this temple that Jesus predicted (cf Mt 24:1-2). The Roman king Titus razed it to the ground in AD 70, till not even one stone upon stone was left.

Herod, a lover of art and sculpture, put up clusters of structures, fortresses and castles. The clever Herod, with his propensity to please the Romans, also named the huge fortress on the north of the temple premises, "Anthonia" in honour of Mark Antony. Tradition has it that it was here that Jesus was condemned to death by Pilate.

The Jerusalem that Jesus saw was this splendid and beautiful city. It was here that God ordained all the salvific mysteries should take place.

Let us trace our steps through this city. While reading this issue, it will be extremely beneficial to keep referring to the map of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem was the beauteous city situated somewhat in the middle of the mountainous regions of Judea. It was indeed a "city seated on a hill". It was 750 metres above sea level. It was spread out on two hills. Across the middle of the city, stretching from north to south was a valley. It was known as "Tairoppayon" valley, (the valley of cheese producers). The city of Jerusalem was thus located on the two hills rising out of the valleys. The city was surrounded and protected by very high stone walls (even today we can see the high walls encircling the old Jerusalem. The walls we see today were constructed by Sultan Sulaiman in 1542). There were gates opening out to the city from different sides.

During the time of Jesus the area of Jerusalem within the circumference of the walls was about 230 acres. The population was about 30,000. This, however,increased threefold or fourfold on festal days.

To the east and west and south of Jerusalem were deep valleys. To the east was Kedron valley. Across this valley ,opposite to the city, was Mount Olives. At the foot of Mount Olives, on the brink of the Kedron Valley ,was the garden of Gethsemane. To the south of the city, on the elevated spot stood the Cenacle. It was here that Jesus had his last supper. He then walked through the Kedron Valley to pray in Gethsemane.

From the west of Jerusalem begins the Henon valley which stretches across the southern side. It eventually joins the Kedron valley, (Kedron valley is also known as "Josaphat valley").

On the opposite side of Henon valley, to the south is "Hakaldama", the field bought with Judas' 30 silver coins to bury foreigners. That is the field of blood-Hakaldama (cf Mt 27:3-10;Acts 1:18-19).

Outside the city, in the valley of Henon, was the place where the waste of the city was thrown and burnt. Consequently, fire and smoke arose constantly from there. This was considered as a place of destruction with fire. It is against this background that Jesus said, "...everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool !' shall be liable to the hell of fire"-(Mt 5:22-23). Within the boundary walls is situated the pool of Silo where Jesus healed the blind man (cf Jn 9:1-8). It lies to the south west at the meeting point of Kedron valley and Henon valley.

To the west, on an elevation stands the Cenacle where Jesus had his last supper. After the Ascension of Jesus, it was here that the Apostles, along with Mary, prayed for the coming of the Holy Spirit. And it was here that the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles. Thus the early Christian Church had its origin on this spot. The proclamation of the gospel also was inaugurated here.

Close to the Upper Room or the Cenacle was the palace of Caiaphas, the High Priest. On Holy Thursday night ,Jesus, who was brought bound from Gethsemane, was confined to the dark cell in the basement, after being tried by the Sanhedrin in the palace of Caiaphas.

Herod's palace was a magnificent building within the boundary walls, on the western side of the city on an elevation.The three wise men, looking for the one born King of the Jews, came to the palace of Herod in Jerusalem. Jesus was condemned to death by Pilate in this palace - so say some Bible scholars, since it was customary for Pilate to camp there on such days. Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, was to the north outside the boundary wall. All those condemned to be crucified were put to death on Calvary.

"Anthonia fortress" was to the north of the temple standing on a hilly place to the east of the city. According to tradition, it was here that Pilate, coming from Caeserea, camped during the Pasch, and condemned Jesus to death. As per this tradition, the Way of the Cross begins here. The distance from this spot to Golgotha , lying outside the walls, is about 750 mts. It was this distance that Jesus covered carrying the cross, through the streets thronging with people.

The pool of Bethsaida was situated in the north of the city of Jerusalem. This is the pool with five porticos mentioned in the Bible. It was here that Jesus healed the man stricken with paralysis (cf Jn 5:1-9).

We have now had an overall view of the city of Jerusalem. In the next issue we shall visit the holy places connected with Jesus' life and particularly with the salvific actions that took place during the latter days of his life.