Several traditions relate to the existence of a place where Jesus was imprisoned between his interrogation, trial, and execution.
Once captured by the priests at the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was taken to the property of the High Priest Caiaphas, where he was interrogated by him and the Sanhedrin. On the next morning, after further interrogation, Jesus was brought to the Roman governor for trial, at the city’s Preatorium. Sentenced to death, Jesus was then taken to the site of execution, the Golgotha, where he was executed by crucifixion.
Five different sites across Jerusalem claim to be where Jesus was imprisoned during these events.
On the eastern slopes of Mount Zion the church of Petrus in Gallicentu is by Catholic tradition the location of Caiaphas’ mansion. Her he interrogated Jesus, while Peter denied knowing him (Mat. 26:69-75). The site does contain features of a first century mansion, and at the lowest level is a cistern. Crosses engraved in the mouth of the cistern led the Catholic church to claim a centuries old Christian tradition that Jesus was placed in this cistern the night before he was handed to the Romans.
The Armenian Christians believe the estate of Caiaphas was on the top of Mount Zion, and for decades working on completing a big church at the site. Archaeological excavations carried out in the 1970’s provided archaeological support to the claim of a large estate at this property some 2,000 years. Nevertheless, the Armenians point to a small room in a medieval chapel near the uncompleted church as the site of Jesus’ imprisonment.
Moreover, the Armenians point to another prison where Jesus was held, when brought to the house of Annas, the Uncle of Caiaphas. This is attested only in the Gospel of John (John 18:13-23). The “cell” is within a mediaeval church called the Church of the Archangels.
Prison of Christ next to the Golgotha?
Visiting the Prison of Christ Sites
Peter in Gallicantu and the Holy Sepulchre are open for visits on daily basis. The Greek-Orthodox Monastery of the Praetorium is usually open, but not on daily basis. The Church of Archangles is within a private area in the Armenian Quarter. Visiting it requires a permission. The Armenian Caiaphas Church is closed to the public, but if needed a special permit to visit it can be arranged. To visit any of these sites, and other highlights of Jerusalem, it is recommended to combine it in a guided day tour of Jerusalem.
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