Mt. Zion

In my previous posts I discussed the mountains of Jerusalem: Mt. of Olives, Temple Mt. (Mt. Moriah) and Mt. Scopus. Today’s post will talk about Mt. Zion.

During the RELIVE THE BIBLE TOURS you’ll experience moments that take your breath away. Here on Mt. Zion & the Old City of Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee and many more sites.

The Jebusites /Canaanites called this mountain Zion which is why the Bible refers to it as Mt. Zion. Names can sometimes become very powerful. Mt. Zion is a good example of this. The children of Israel are named Zion; the Zionist Movement inherited this name; the national anthem ends with “…eretz zion ve-yerushalaim…” (the land of Zion and Jerusalem). Zion has become a nickname for the Land of Israel and also for Jerusalem.

The Upper Room on Mt. Zion was built by the Crusaders. There is an additional location where some believe is the location of the Upper Room. It is also located on Mt. Zion, in the Armenian Quarter, in a Church called St. Mark.

The walls that were built in the 16th century by Suleiman the Magnificent (Ottoman Empire) cross the mountain and divide it so that part of it is within the walls and the other part is outside of the walls.

The House of Caiaphas, where Jesus spent the last night, before taken to Pontius Pilate and the cross is located on Mt. Zion. In the courtyard of this house Peter denies Jesus three times before the rooster called after Jesus was already arrested in the House of Caiaphas. Personally, I find it hard to believe that under this house was a prison. Who would want to have a prison under his house?! But an empty cistern under this house was used to lock Jesus up.

Nearby, is a Christian cemetery where you’ll be able to see the tomb of Oscar Schindler one of the Righteous among the Nations.

For more information on the Upper Room, Temple Mt., Mt. of Olives, the Eastern Gate and other gates of Jerusalem, you are welcome to my BLOG.