Inside The Tomb of Jesus
The Tomb of Jesus is perhaps the most significant site in Christendom. It marks where Jesus was buried, and resurrected. For many Christians, visiting the tomb is the culmination of their pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
History of the Tomb of Jesus
The New Testament provides little information about the tomb of Jesus and its location. Once the Roman soldiers acknowledged his death, the family took the body of Jesus off the cross, anointed it, wrapped it in shrouds, and placed it in a burial cave. The Gospels also record a stone corking the entry. They also indicate that the tomb was near Jesus’ execution site (the Golgotha) and both were in a garden outside the city. In the early 4th century AD, a large church complex, known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was built over them. The surface around the burial cave was removed, and a small shrine (aedicule) was formed over it. In the 12th century, the Crusaders renovated the tomb, but its current shape is a result of Greek Orthodox renovations after a big conflagration in 1808.
Proving the Authenticity of the Tomb
The Burial cave consists of two rooms. The inner room has a ledge on the right side, big enough to put a corpse over it. It is believed to be the spot where the body of Jesus was laid. Today, the ledge is covered by marble slabs, yet during renovations in 2018, the original bedrock was exposed. This discovery made international headlines, proving the Tomb of Jesus is indeed a burial chamber carved in the bedrock.
Visiting the Tomb of Jesus
The Greek Orthodox church maintains the Tomb of Jesus. During the daytime, especially on Christian holidays, the cue to get into the tomb can take a long time. In certain situations, our guide might help to avoid the cue.
A visit to the Tomb of Jesus can be integrated with a day tour of Jerusalem.
