As Easter approaches, I thought I would share a few related blog posts that contain some images that some of you might find useful for Easter presentations.
View Looking East at the entrance to the First Century A.D. Tomb
View looking east at the entrance to the tomb. The rolling stone was 6 ft. [1.8 m.] in diameter and 1.3 ft [0.4 m.] thick. It was placed between two walls, each built of hewn stone. When discovered, it still rolled in its trough!
The tomb itself was in use during the Roman Period — up until A.D. 135.
In my estimation, it was the best example of a rolling stone tomb in the country of Israel. It seems to illustrate well passages from the Gospels which speak of Jesus’ tomb as being closed by a rolling stone. See especially Matthew 27:57-66; 28:1-2; Mark 15:42–47; 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–2, 10–11; and John 20:1, 11–18.
Horvat Midras (Hebrew) or Khirbet Durusiya (Arabic) is located 19 mi. [30 km.] southwest of Jerusalem in the Shephelah. The ancient remains are spread over hundreds of dunams in the area. The site dates to the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
View of the Courtyard of the “Rolling Stone Tomb” at Khirbet Midras—prior to its destruction
In 1976 part of the cemetery was excavated. Several tombs were uncovered, including, in my estimation, THE BEST ROLLING STONE TOMB in the country. Unfortunately in the late 1990’s the tomb site was totally destroyed by vandals!#%$@!!
BUT it has been reconstructed and is now visible in the Adullam Park!
To view 3 additional images of the tomb Click Here.
For images of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher see: Calvary and Tomb.
On Sunday, 2 April, Christians will be remembering Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
For those of you who might be looking for High-Resolution images related to the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the Last Supper in the “Upper Room,” and the events clustered around the final week in his earthly life I will be posting some useful links in the days ahead.
To view 10 images (with commentary) of a modern procession commemorating this event Click Here.
In the summer of 2004 Eli Shukrun, Ronny Reich, and John Seligman, who were checking the area southeast of the traditional “Pool of Siloam” for a public works project, discovered a pool that they date to the first centuries B.C. and A.D. In all probability it is the “Pool of Siloam” mentioned in John 9:7—to which Jesus sent a blind man to wash a mud mixture from his eyes.This pool is also mentioned in Rabbinic sources in connection with the water rituals associated with the Feast of Tabernacles— in the fall of the year.
The northeast corner of the Pool of Siloam that is currently exposed.
Since its discovery, only the northeast portion of the pool was excavated and available for visitors (see additional images below). In December 2022 it was announced that the (whole?) southern portion of the pool would be excavated and be made available to visitors.
In light of the above, I thought I would share a few images of the property that will be excavated.
View of the western section of the property to be excavated as of January 2023.View, looking south, at the eastern portion of the property to be excavated as of January 2023.
The current entrance to the visitors’ center is the white structure on the left edge of the image. Note the fencing around the area to be excavated.
According to estimates, the Pool of Siloam went through multiple stages of development, and at the height of its glory, was approximately the size of 5 dunams (1¼ acres), and inlaid with impressive flagstones. For the first time in modern history, the excavation by the IAA will enable the complete exposure of the Pool of Siloam, within the context of an official archeological excavation. In the first stage, visitors will be able to observe the archaeological excavations, and in the coming months the Pool of Siloam will be opened for tourist access, as part of a route that will begin at the southernmost point of the City of David and culminate at the footsteps of the Western Wall.
The location of the Pool of Siloam in New Testament/Second Temple Jerusalem.An artist’s illustration of what the Pool may have looked like.
This past November I made my first trip back to Israel since my pre-pandemic trip in January 2020. I thought I would share a few impressions and photos from our recent trip.
One of my favorite places to visit, especially for prayer and meditation, it is the Church of the Beatitudes which overlooks the Sea of Galilee from the north.
View looking west at the Church of the Beatitudes. The church was designed by Antonio Barluzzi and was completed in 1938. It commemorates Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5–7) and more especially the Beatitudes (Matt 5:3–10). Italian sisters administer the property.
The “garden” west of the church on November 3, 2022.
Upon arrival at the church it was sad to see that another fire had almost reached the church itself—it seems like there is a serious fire almost every 4-5 years.
One of the sisters wrote:
A “miracle” saved the Church from destruction during the afternoon of July 14, 2022, when a devastating fire raged on the grounds of the sanctuary. Because of strong winds, the fire spread rapidly jumping from one tree to another and eventually to some of the buildings. After long hours of exhaustive work by the heroic crews of the firefighting aircraft and fire trucks, the fire was brought under control.
But the fire, unfortunately, caused extensive damage to the roof of our Church; our places of prayer; the olive trees on our premises; and the workers’ residence at our pilgrimage site. With the help of aircraft, the fire was eventually extinguished.
In the words of Sister Telesphoro, the director of the sanctuary, we ‘witnessed a miracle in the protection of our God.” Fortunately, there were no casualties.
The Ara Pacis Augustae, (the “Altar of Augustan Peace”), commonly called the Ara Pacis, is not one of the places normally visited by groups that only spend a day or two in Rome.
It is interesting how the Ara Pacis illustrates at least one aspect of “the fulness of time. Gal. 4:4 But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,
The Ara Pacis Augustae, (the “Altar of Augustan Peace”) is commonly called the Ara Pacis. Please see below for two images of the altar that illustrate these “peaceful conditions.”
This altar was dedicated to Pax, the Roman goddess of peace in honor of the peaceful conditions that the Emperor Augustus (r. 27 B.C.–A.D. 14) was able to bring to the Roman Empire. It was dedicated on January 30, 9 BC. Thus, this altar was over 60 years old by the time Paul arrived in Rome as a prisoner!
This Augustus is the same Roman Emperor who is mentioned in
Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
Roman Emperor Augustus (r. 27 B.C.–A.D. 14) could write about himself
I extended the borders of all the provinces of the Roman people which neighboured nations not subject to our rule. I restored peace . . . with no unjust war waged against any nation.
It is interesting that Paul wrote in the book of Galatians
Gal. 4:4 But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under 1the Law,
During the years following Augustus—ca. First Century A.D.—it was relatively safe to travel by land and by sea, the Greek language was understood and spoken by many, and peaceful conditions prevailed.
In the providence of God, it was during such an era that people such as Paul had the freedom to travel about to spread the “Good News”—the Gospel of Jesus Christ (but see note 1 below).
The following two images of the Ara Pacis exhibit the “peacefulness of the era”—think Royal (governmental) propaganda!
Harmony and peace surround either Pax herself, or Tellus, the earth goddess. See below for a color representation of how it might have originally looked.
View of the upper left rear panel of the Ara Pacis with Tellus, the earth goddess—or possibly Pax, the goddess of Peace. Note the peacefulness of the image—Augustus had established peace in the Roman Empire (= pax Romana).
The two infants look so contented in the arms of the goddess. The two semi-nude figures on the left and right of the goddess, with the billowing cloth, may represent the sky (on the left with the bird) and the sea (on the right with a tamed sea creature). The sheep and the large ox seem very docile!
A procession of dignitaries processing to the dedication of the altar—including Augustus himself on the very left side of the image.
View of the upper south panel of the Ara Pacis. Near the center of the procession is a child holding his father’s hand. The father, tall, head–covered (like a priest), facing to the left of the image, is the son–in–law of Augustus, Marcus Agrippa. The woman on our right of the child is Agrippa’s wife, Livia/Julia, daughter of Augustus, and the child is Gaius Caesar their offspring—an intended heir of Augustus.
On the left side of the image, there is a partial figure with a sharp vertical break. This figure is that of Augustus himself!
The Ara Pacis was located in the Campus Martius, a large, formerly swampy, parade ground on the east side of the Tiber River—about 1 mi. northwest of the center of the Roman Forum. Because of the flooding of the Tiber, it was buried in 12 ft. of debris and gradually fragments of it have been recovered. It was reassembled in 1938.
Note the original location of the “Ara Pacis” on the left side of the Campus Martius.
Check Here to view additional images of the altar.
BTW — Ara Pacis was originally in full color:
Note 1 — obviously, in Judea and Galilee there was much discontent with Roman Rule during the first century A.D.
In the last two posts I described and shared some images of the cult room of the Sacellum (chapel) of the Augustales (priests in charge of Emperor Worship) that was found at Herculaneum (near Pompeii). Because of a Latin Inscription that was found there, we know that banquets took place in the room. Suprisingly, in Professor Tuck’s 30-minute talk on this room, he does not mention the contents (see below). So I had never given it much thought.
On our recent trip to the Naples Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli), Italy, our guide pointed out four large statues that were found in the Sacellum! Two of Augustus and two of Claudius! I was very surprised (and excited) to find this out, for although I had visited the museum a good number of times, but no guide had previously pointed these statues out. For me, it was a great experience to connect these statues with a place that has such importance for the topic of the Imperial Cult (aka Emperor Worship).
These four statues are part of the collection that is on permanent display in the large main room of the museum.
A bronze statue of the Roman Emperor Augustus (r. 27 B.C.– A.D. 14) who is portrayed as the deity Jupiter (Greek: Zeus). Note that he is holding a “thunderbolt” in his left hand. The statue is about 7 feet tall.
A marble statue of the Roman Emperor Augustus (r. 27 B.C.– A.D. 14) who is portrayed as “Enthroned.”
Here, Augustus is semi-nude, as a deity, and is crowned with the Civic “Oak Wreath” Crown—a very special honor given to him for having “delivered/saved” his people
A bronze statue of the Roman Emperor Claudius (r. A.D. 41–54) standing. He has a spear in his right hand and may have held a “thunderbolt” (as Augustus above) in his left hand. He probably is being portrayed as a deity (Jupiter) or possibly as a hero.
A marble statue of the Roman Emperor Claudius (r. A.D. 41–54) who is portrayed as “Enthroned.” He is semi-nude, as a deity.
It is amazing that a new religious movement that claimed that a poor Galilean carpenter, who was crucified by the Romans, believed to be the Son of God and raised from the dead could “compete” with the impressiveness of the well established Imperial Cult and and extensive/powerful Roman Kingdom.
For additional comments on these statues see here.
Steven L. Tuck “Worshipping the Emperors at Herculaneum,” Lecture 21 in Pompeii: Daily Life in an Ancient Roman City. Produced by the Great Courses/The Teaching Company, Course No. 3742, 2010.
In a previous post I shared some images and thoughts on what I believe is the only completely preserved building dedicated to the worship of Roman Emperors in the First Century A.D. I want to complete the posting of images from the main room where the statue of the Emperor was located. In these two frescos, the Emperor is portrayed as the mythical hero Hercules!
On the left is Hercules with his club, lion’s skin, and a bow and arrows.
View looking at the north wall of the cult room of the Sacellum (chapel) of the Augustales (priests in charge of Emperor Worship). The central panel is flanked by two slender spirally fluted columns. It appears that there is an attempt to portray this central panel as a hanging tapestry. On the left is Hercules with his club, lion’s skin, and a bow and arrows. The nude figure next to him is a river deity that is attempting to snatch away Hercules’ wife, Deianeira. Hercules is about to rescue her! Tuck suggests that this is a metaphor for the Emperor as Hercules who protects/rescues his people.
Flanking the central piece are “windows” that look out on to the world. Note especially the two chariots with horses in the upper two corners.
Hercules, without club or lion’s skin, is sitting nude. The female in the foreground is the deity Minerva and in the back, between the two of them, is Zeus’s wife, Hera.
View looking at the south wall of the cult room of the Sacellum (chapel) of the Augustales (priests in charge of Emperor Worship). The central panel is flanked by two slender spirally fluted columns. It appears that there is an attempt to portray this central panel as a hanging tapestry. Hercules, without club or lion’s skin, is sitting nude. The female in the foreground is the deity Minerva and in the back, between the two of them, is Zeus’s wife, Hera. Tuck believes that this is a representation of Hercules about to be taken up to be with the gods (= apotheosis) and that he and Hera are here reconciled—Hera had attempted to kill him. Tuck believes that this is a metaphor for the apotheosis (- ascension?) of the Emperor—being represented as Hercules. In other words, Vespasian, like Emperors before him, was taken to be with the gods—and thus became a god! And of course, the Emperor’s successor (even if adopted), would be “a son of god.”
To view 6 images of this important room Click Here.
Professor Tuck (see below) suggests that this room was renovated shortly after the death of Vespasian in A.D. 79, early in the reign of Titus—which implies that the room was soon buried by the pyroclastic flow from Vesuvius—ca. 24 August 79.
I am indebted to the explanatory comments of Steven L. Tuck in his engaging “Worshipping the Emperors at Herculaneum,” Lecture 21 in Pompeii: Daily Life in an Ancient Roman City. Produced by the Great Courses/The Teaching Company, Course No. 3742, 2010.
As Christianity spread into the Roman World, one of the major, growing, cults that it faced was the worship of the ascended, deified, Roman Emperors—and eventually the worship of living Emperors. It is well–known that this practice forms part of the background for the book of Revelation and also for many additional passages found in the New Testament.
So, where did all this take place? To my knowledge, there is only one almost completely preserved structure known where this occurred. It is called the Sacellum (chapel/temple) of the Augustales (priests in charge of Emperor Worship) that was excavated at Herculaneum—near Pompeii. In this and the following post, I will share some images of this very unique structure.
View looking west at the major room of the interior of the Sacellum of the Augustales. Click on Image to Enlarge and/or Download.
This building is a large space with a central nave and two side aisles. The four columns outline the central nave and above it was a clerestory that let in outside sunlight. Directly ahead, on the west side is the central shrine where a statue, or bust, of the emperor was venerated. In the foreground, there are two square pedestals attached to the columns. On them stood statues of prominent priests that served the imperial cult (=Augustales).
View looking west into the cult room of the Sacellum of the Augustales where the deified Emperor was worshiped. Click on image to Enlarge and/or Download.
As you look directly ahead you see a vertical rectangular podium on which a statue, or bust, of the emperor was venerated. The white, faded, paint above the podium was the latest style—based upon Neronian examples found in Rome. The light blue paint in and above the arch was made of a substance that included lapis lazuli that was imported from Afghanistan!
On both side walls are two different frescos of Hercules—see images in the next post. Below the frescos is barren plaster that previously was covered with marble sheeting—removed during the early tunneling/mining expeditions. On the floor is a well–preserved marble floor—see image below.
This Latin Inscription was found on the floor of the Sacellum of the Augustales. It mentions that Aulus Lucius Proculus and his son gave a dinner to the (priests), the Augustales, and to the city council at the dedication of this building.
Steven Tuck’s translation of the six-line inscription follows:
Sacred to Augustus
Aulus Lucius MEN = voting tribe
Proculus and his son Julianus
P . . . S [= Pecunia Sua = “with their own money”] [CR: compare the use of “P S” in the Erastus Inscription from Corinth]
[Lower two lines: ] they gave a dinner to the Augustales and to the city council at the dedication of this building [= large public dinner]
Tuck notes that the name Aulus Lucius Proculus indicates that this person was a freed slave who became very wealthy and had become a priest in the organization of the Augustales (= those priests that supervised the Emperor cult). Talk about upward mobility!
This marble floor is found in the cult room of the Sacellum of the Augustales.
Cut marble floors were very expensive! Even more expensive than mosaic floors! Note the wonderful variegated colors!
Herculaneum is a city that was located on the Italian coast west of Mount Vesuvius. It was destroyed in August A.D. 79 when Vesuvius erupted.
Because it was buried by 50–60 feet of pyroclastic material, the buildings and their contents are actually better preserved than those found at nearby Pompeii. It was probably 1/4 the size of Pompeii. It is estimated that only 25% of the town has been excavated.
Some scholars have suggested that it was a small fishing village, but because of the finely built houses, and their lavish decoration, it seems more probable that it was a sea–side playground for the elite!
Professor Tuck (see below) suggests that this particular structure was renovated shortly after the death of Vespasian in A.D. 79, early in the reign of Titus—which implies that the room was soon buried by the pyroclastic flow from Vesuvius—ca. 24 August 79—and that is why the decorative elements are so well–preserved.
I am indebted to the explanatory comments of Steven L. Tuck in his engaging “Worshipping the Emperors at Herculaneum,” Lecture 21 in Pompeii: Daily Life in an Ancient Roman City. Produced by the Great Courses/The Teaching Company, Course No. 3742, 2010.
One of my favorite places to visit is Assos, in northwestern Turkey on the Aegean Sea (Acts 20:13-14). Often times our groups have stayed at a hotel that is part of the fishing harbor there. When we visit the acropolis, with the magnificent remains of a Temple to Athena, I take time to read a “decree” that the citizens of Assos made, and sent to Emperor Caligula—pledging their loyalty to him!
By this point in our trips, we have often discussed the importance and pervasiveness of the Imperial Cult and the conflict between the grand Kingdom of the Roman Emperors and Paul’s preaching of the “Kingdom of God” (Acts 8:1-2; 14:22; 19:9; 28:23, 28).
The Assos “Tablet” — Translation at the end of this blog.
I had tried, in vain, to track down the location of this tablet. For some reason, I thought it was in a museum in Boston! Well, when walking through the remodeled Archaeology Section of the Istanbul Archaeology Museum, I walked around the wall of a display, and there, right in the center of the opening into the next room, was this large (I am guessing that it measures 1.5 x 2. 5 feet), glistening, bronze “tablet” in front of me. What was it? Looking at the very brief description I realized that this was the “Assos Tablet” that I had been quoting all of these years! Yes, I was very excited!
Upper portion of the “Tablet”
Lower portion of the “Tablet”
This bronze tablet was found in 1881 at Assos in which inhabitants of Assos swore to emperor Gaius [Caligula] when he gained power.
In the following translation from Elwell and Yarbough, note the bold faced words and compare how similar they sound to the gospel message that Paul was preaching.
Under the consulship of Gnaeus Acerronious Proclus and Gaius Pontius Petronis Nigrinus [A.D. 37].
Decrees of the Assians by the Vote of the People
Since the announcement of the coronation of Gaius Caesar Germanicus Augustus (Caligula), which all mankind had longed and prayed for, the world has found no measure for its joy, but every city and people has eagerly hastened to view the god, as if the happiest age of mankind [the Golden Age] had now arrived:
It seemed good to the Council, and to the Roman businessmen here among us, and to the people of Assos, to appoint a delegation made up of the noblest and most eminent of the Romans and also of the Greeks, to visit him and offer their best wishes and to implore him to remember the city and take care of it, even as he promised our city upon his first visit to the province in the company of his father Germanicus.
We swear by Zeus the Savior and the god Caesar Augustus [Octavian] and the holy Virgin of our city [Athena Polias] that we are loyally disposed to Gaius Caesar Augustus and his whole house, and look upon as our friends whomever he favors, and as our enemies whomever he denounces. If we observe this oath, may all go well with us; if not, may the opposite befall.
Translation and commentary from Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough eds. Readings From the First–Century World: Primary Sources for New Testament Study. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1998 pp. 136-37.
Near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, there is a Monumental Hall that dates to the late Second Temple Period (New Testament era). There is some speculation that the Sanhedrin may have (occasionally) met here—see below.
View looking northwest at the northern and western walls of the hall. Click on Images to Enlarge and/or Download.
Note the finely finished stones in both walls as well as the chest-high decorative horizontal ridge/railing that separates the lower and upper portion of the walls. Near the corner of the west (left) wall note the delicately carved protruding pilaster.
I visited this all in the 1970s with Gabi Barkai and I thought he said it might be Hasmonean. But our guide said it was Herodian (37–4 B.C.) with possibly some Hasmonean elements.
I am not sure of its function but it certainly is “monumental.” In my Zondervan Atlas of the Bible I labeled it as a “Public Building” (p. 250).
View of the northeastern corner of the Monumental Hall.
In the above image note, the delicate protruding pilaster to the right of the center of the image and to the left of center note the well–defined horizontal “railing” that is about chest high that separates the lower and upper portions of the wall.
View looking at the southeastern corner of the Monumental Hall.
On the left (east) wall there are two huge doorways. Note the large carved doorposts and the huge lintels. Currently, these doorways lead to the ritual bath that I described in a previous post, but originally they may have led to something else.
I believe that the far wall, with a doorway and other openings, is secondary, and that the original hall extended farther south.
Could this have been the hall where the Sanhedrin met? If so, possibly Jesus, some apostles, Stephen, and/or Paul appeared here. (Unconfirmed speculation)
The early explorer Charles Warren called this structure the “Hall of the Freemasons (see below). Additional comments/suggestions/correction are appreciated.
Not my “cup of tea” below.
From the Gallery of Masonic Sights from Israel Hall of the Freemasons, Temple Mount, Jerusalem, Israel. Discovered and named by the Freemason, Bro. Lieutenant Charles Warren [!] during the excavations of the late 1860’s near Wilson’s Arch. Second Temple construction by Zerubbabel (536-516 BCE).
Horvat Midras (Hebrew) or Khirbet Durusiya (Arabic) is located 19 mi. [30 km.] southwest of Jerusalem in the Shephelah. The ancient remains are spread over hundreds of dunams in the area. The site dates to the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
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