Palestine of Jesus

The Palestine of Jesus course lasts for 10-14 days and combines biblical and historical studies with pilgrimage to selected sites connected with Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection.

It has a greater focus on the historical contexts and cultures in which Jesus exercised his earthly ministry than the shorter Footsteps of Jesus course.

The course integrates contextual biblical study with theological and spiritual reflection, encountering the roots and traditions of Christian faiths East and West.  It explores as well some of the contemporary issues in Israel and Palestine.  Classroom mini-lectures prepare course participants for site visits.

Content of the Course:

While the details of every itinerary vary depending on local circumstances and dates, the course typically include visits to the following places:

• Bethlehem, the place of Jesus’ birth
• Jesus’ childhood home and the site of the Annunciation in Nazareth
• The site of Christ’s baptism (where there is an opportunity to renew baptismal vows)
• The Judean desert where Jesus was tempted after his baptism
• The Sea of Galilee, including Jesus “own town” (Matt. 9.1), Capernaum
• Caesarea Philippi, where Peter answered Christ’s question, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8.29)
• Ancient Shechem/Sychar, where Jesus encounters the woman of Samaria at the well (John 4.7-15)
• Bethphage, where Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph (Mark 11.1-10)
• The Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14.32–49)
• The remains of the Jerusalem Temple complex from Jesus’ day, including the Western Wall and excavations south and west of the Temple retaining wall
• Masada, Herod the Great’s mountain fortress in the desert
• The Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque
• The Way of the Cross, Golgotha, and Jesus’ tomb
• Caesarea Maritima, from where Pontius Pilate ruled Judaea, Cornelius converted to Christianity, and Paul was held prisoner before being sent to Rome
• Visit to a Palestinian Refugee Camp and a Jewish settlement
• Yad Vashem, the Museum of the Holocaust
• Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum, and Qumran, the area of their discovery
• The Dead Sea with an opportunity to float
• Emmaus, where Christ appeared after his resurrection (Luke 24.13-31)
• Worship with the local Anglican community