Story of Jesus, Three Year Ministry, Maps
The Old Testament foreshadows and prototypes of Christ have been the subject of several prior blog postings. Throughout this post, I’d want to direct your attention to yet another Old Testament analogy to Christ that I’d like to discuss. ‘Ruth’ is a book that contains this one. To begin, a man by the name of Elimelek and his family, which includes his wife Naomi and their two sons Mahlon and Kilion, flee to the nation of Moab in order to avoid a famine in their own land of Israel. Elimilek passes away tragically, leaving his widow Naomi and her two boys to care for their father.
Only Naomi and her two daughters-in-law remain after the two sons have been dead for approximately a decade and have settled on the farm.
It is her strong recommendation that Orpah and Ruth go back to their home country to find another spouse and begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
After returning to Bethlehem, Naomi tells the crowd, “Don’t call me Naomi.
- But the LORD has returned me empty after I had gone away full.
- Merely because the LORD has hurt me does not mean that the Almighty has imposed calamity on me.” Ruth is sent out to glean in the fields, scooping up leftover grain from behind the harvesters.
- Then there’s the fact that Ruth is gleaning in a field that belongs to someone named Boaz, who happens to be a distant relative of Naomi’s and a member of the clan of her late husband Elimilek.
- Instructing the male harvesters not to touch her, he tells her that she may only glean in his field.
- We learn this in Ruth 2:10-13.
- “How did I come to find such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” she inquired of him.
May the LORD, the God of Israel, graciously reward you for your efforts, and may you find safety under his wing.” 13 The princess expressed her gratitude by saying, “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord.” “Despite the fact that I do not have the status of one of your slaves, your kindness to your servant has placed me at peace.” Verse 14 reads that “At supper, Boaz said to her, “Come over here.
- ” This is significant.
- Ruth harvests till the evening and returns to Naomi with around an ephah, which is approximately 30 pounds or 13 kilos of produce.
- It was in Boaz’s field that she found the berries, which she recounts.
- In his generosity to the living and the dead, he has not ceased to be a source of inspiration.
- Protector-redeemer is now a legal phrase for someone who has the responsibility of redeeming a family member who is through terrible hardships (Leviticus 25:25-55).
- He’ll be winnowing grain on the threshing floor tonight, he’ll say.
- Then walk down to the threshing floor, but don’t tell him you’re there until he’s finished with his meal and beverage.
Afterwards, go ahead and expose his feet and lie down next him.
Boaz awakens in the middle of the night to discover Ruth laying at his feet, having been startled by something.
3:13 “Stay here for the night, and in the morning, if he wishes to fulfill his responsibility as your guardian-redeemer, then good; allow him to redeem you.
Keep lying down till the next day.” After speaking with the guardian redeemer, Boaz states (4:4), “I will redeem it.” This is the first time Boaz has spoken this.
As a result, Boaz redeems the property and marries Ruth, becoming the first of his descendants to do so.
The prophet Boaz represents Christ who has acquired the Church and designated her as His wife.
When it comes to redeeming the property, Boaz says that one must also marry the widow in verse 10.
He did this by becoming our brother in the flesh.
A kinsman redeemer must also be free of debt himself; in the same way, Christ our kinsman redeemer was free of sin when He died on the cross for us.
The meal should serve as a reminder of our communion with Christ, where the bread represents Christ’s flesh and the wine represents Christ’s blood, both of which are shed for us (see Luke 22).
Bethlehem’s name literally translates as “bread house,” which is noteworthy.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, while you are insignificant among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for meone who will be king over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times,” says Micah 5:2, referring to the birth of Jesus in the town of Bethlehem.
Jesse’s father was Obed, who became his father.
The fact that Jesus can trace his pedigree right back to David means that Ruth and Boaz are now considered to be members of Jesus’ bloodline.
Astonishing parallelism exists between all of these cases — and there are many more — and the gospel of Christ. This remarkable parallelism, we are confident, can only be explained bythe usual design of the invigorating Spirit.
10 Places Where Jesus Walked in Israel from Scripture
When you travel to Israel as a Christian, it might be pretty odd to think that you are really treading on the same ground as Jesus walked when he died and rose again. While on earth, Jesus picked this small plot of land to call home for the duration of His stay. Jesus took on complete human characteristics and lived a rather normal life (for the most part) among the Jews in order to bring about our redemption. The Gospels offer us a very decent sense of what He did with His time throughout the course of His life.
Today, we’d like to assist you in planning your next vacation to Israel.
It’s true that there are several locations in Israel where Jesus traveled, but we decided to highlight this particular group for a variety of reasons.
Here are the10 places we know for a fact where Jesus walked:
In Jesus’ day, Nazareth was a sleepy little community. As Luke the evangelist puts it, this was His “boyhood home,” so to speak (Luke 4:16). His father, Joseph, taught Jesus carpentry and masonry when he was growing up in Nazareth, Israel. While still a child, He returns to Nazareth, where he admits that he is the fulfillment of the words of prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to deliver Good News to the poor.” As a result, he has sent me to declare that prisoners will be freed and those who are blinded and afflicted will be set free, and that the season of the Lord’s favor is at hand.” (See Luke 4:18-19.) The city of Nazareth is now a large metropolitan area with a mostly Muslim population.
Visitors to a few remarkable Christian churches can retrace Biblical stories through the artwork that has been developed over ages in these buildings.
2. Caesarea Philippi
Caesarea Philippi is situated at the foot of the highest mountains in the nation. It is surrounded by spectacular natural beauty that you will not find in any other area of Israel, making it a unique destination. This is the point at which the disciples had the insight that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Furthermore, Simon was given the name Peter once he realized that his Teacher was “the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). “On this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it,” Jesus said, referring to the foundation of the temple.
Despite their isolated position, the ancient remains of Caesarea Philippi and the surrounding area of Tel Dan are spectacular and well worth visiting.
3. Cana of Galilee
Even though we don’t know much about Cana, there was one major incident that took place in this tiny Galilean community that we should know about. In Cana, Jesus and his family were invited to a wedding. We aren’t even sure who the Groom and the Bride were in this story. Our knowledge of Jesus’ mother’s words is that when the wine supply was depleted, she called attention to her son, telling him, “Do whatever He instructs you” (John 2:5). Despite the fact that He first stated that His time had not yet arrived, Jesus eventually performed his first public miracle here by changing water into wine.
Although it now has a number of cathedrals, the significance of this location remains more spiritual than physical: this miracle marked the beginning of Jesus’ miraculous ministry.
4. Capernaum
Capernaum has witnessed more miracles and heard more lectures from Jesus than any other location in the world (except from Jerusalem). Peter, one of Jesus’ closest companions, grew up in this little fishing village near the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. We know Jesus resided and taught there (Matthew 4:13), as well as performing miracles there (Matthew 8:14). He also delivered individuals (Mark 1:21) and cured those who were willing, both physically and spiritually (Mark 2:11). In Jesus’ mind, the town of Capernaum must have held a particular place in his affections.
As of today, there is still a lot to see and do at the site.
5. Sea of Galilee
Although an entire lake may not be a precise location, it is unquestionably a location where Jesus strolled! To be really honest, it was undoubtedly one of his most renowned walks. For the simple reason that walking on water is no minor feat. See the account in the Gospel of Matthew 14:22-34 for further information. It appears that Jesus loved spending time on the lake’s beaches as well as in its waters, according to the evidence. When He needed to get away from the throngs of people who followed Him and find some peace and quiet, He would frequently relax on a boat.
The citizens of Israel continue to benefit from this magnificent body of fresh water, which provides them with fish and drinking water.
On the lake, you may go swimming, sailing, and even kayaking if you like.
Jesus was in Jerusalem and Judea:
After being born in Bethlehem, we don’t know if Jesus spent much time in the city throughout His life, if any time at all. Although it was a little village, it was significant in His family’s history since it was the birthplace of King David. Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ earthly parents, were had to return to Bethlehem in order to register for a census ordered by Augustus, the Roman Emperor, which took place at Bethlehem. They were able to do so just in time for Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:1-6). Jesus spent the first several weeks, if not months, of His life at this “House of Bread” (the Hebrew name for the city), which is located less than ten miles from the capital city of Jerusalem.
The Manger Square, which is directly in front of the Church of the Nativity, continues to be the city’s focal point and most identifiable landmark.
7. The Jerusalem Temple
It was just eight days after Jesus’ birth that He made His first appearance in the Temple. Because his earthly parents want to commit him to God in line with the law, this is what happened (Luke 2:23). When Jesus was a child, his family must have made frequent trips to the Temple in Jerusalem. As a result, when he was 12 years old, he was already debating intellectuals in this sacred location. Years later, Christ addressed merchants in the Temple’s courts, accusing them of converting His Father’s House into a den of thieves through their actions (Matthew 21:12-13).
Although the Temple is no longer standing, the Temple Mount may still be visited. And if you want to pray with the Jewish people, you can do so at the Western Wall, which is located just below where the Temple once stood.
8. Jordan River (by Jericho)
The Jordan River connects the Galilee with Judea and goes directly through the city of Jericho on its way. It was most likely in this desert city that John the Baptist issued his plea for people to repent and come back to the one true God. And it was here that Jesus first encountered him. After being asked to pave the way, John recognized the One who had been waiting for him all along in that instant (John 1:34). Although John was reluctant, Jesus insisted on being baptized, and many people were present to witness the most beautiful expression of Father’s love: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am very delighted” (Matthew 3:17).
With Jericho on one bank and Jordan on the other, the river has already been divided between the two countries.
9. Bethany
Elizabeth’s village of Bethany, which is located on the eastern side of Mount of Olives, was the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, all of whom were close friends of Jesus’. When Lazarus died, his siblings went through a terrifying ordeal, but not long after, he was miraculously resurrected from the grave by Jesus (John 11:1-45). There were no words to describe the moment when everyone witnessed Jesus’ supernatural power as the Son of God, and at the same time, Jesus demonstrated His humanity by weeping with those who were grieving.
The town, which was formerly a little settlement, has grown into a significant Arab metropolis just outside of Jerusalem.
10. Bethesda
During one of Jesus’ journeys to Jerusalem, He passed by the Bethesda Pools, which are now located near the Sheep’s Gate (which is now known as the Lions’ Gate). It served as a supply of water for both the people of Jerusalem and the Temple complex. However, there was something more about this body of water that made it stand out from the rest. Every now and again, an angel would descend to stir the waters with healing. During that time, one guy had been waiting for his chance to be healed for more than 38 years!
The location of Bethesda, which literally translates as “House of Grace” in Hebrew, is a delight for anybody who enjoys antiquity.
We hope you enjoyed our list of the ten sites where Jesus walked on the earth today.
It is without a doubt correct! Several more aspects of Jesus’ life will be covered in a subsequent post, “5 Places Jesus Walked Before the Cross.” Remember to sign up for our newsletters so that you don’t miss out on any more interesting stories like this one!
Take a birds eye view of the fresh water lake beside which Jesus spent the majority of his 3 years of ministry.
Reading time is estimated to be 10 minutes. In addition to being a journalist, Estera Wieja is a published author and public speaker who specializes in the subjects of Israel, Jewish history, and Judeo-Christian culture. Since she was born and reared in Poland, Estera has been a frequent writer to the Polish magazine “Our Inspirations.” The University of Warsaw, Poland, awarded her a Master’s degree in Journalism after she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media from Azusa Pacific University (California, United States).
Where Did Jesus Travel While on Earth?
During His earthly mission, Jesus traveled to several locations. Is it true that He traveled outside of Judea?
Jesus of Nazareth
It is well known that Jesus grew up in Nazareth, Galilee, and that He walked wherever he went, yet no one, including Jesus Himself, is aware of the actual number of kilometers He walked during His earthly career. It is also impossible for us to know where Jesus travelled at any one moment, although others believe that He traveled to other parts of the world throughout this time period as well. The problem with that hypothesis is that there is absolutely no evidence to support it, and there are no scriptural references to back up any of its claims.
The Bible is the only source that can be relied upon for information concerning where Jesus traveled while on earth, and it is this source that we will consult in order to attempt to determine where Jesus visited while on earth during His earthly mission.
Jesus’ Lifetime Travels
In the three years of his earthly ministry, it is believed that Jesus walked at least 3,000 kilometers or more, just solely on the narratives recorded in the Gospels. If you extrapolate from the time of His birth to the time of His death, the total number of kilometers Christ walked throughout his lifetime is likely to have exceeded 21,000 miles. That is a significant number of miles. We can’t even fathom how far He must have traveled or how tough it must have been for Him at this point in time.
Because he had no place to call home, he was most likely forced to sleep outside on a regular basis.
Jesus from Galilee
As we already know, Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2) and raised in Nazareth (Matt 21:11; 26:71; Mark 1:9; 1:24; 10:47), and He traveled throughout the region of Galilee, which encompassed the area surrounding the Sea of Galilee, it is reasonable to assume that He traveled throughout the region of Galilee. Jesus walked on foot to Jerusalem on a regular basis to attend feasts and holy days, as well as to visit the temple.
That equates to around 65 miles. That would take at least three days on foot, and he would have traveled through multiple cities and villages along the journey. He was also not scared to enter Samaria (John 4), unlike the Jews, who were fearful of entering the land.
Jesus’ Enters the Wilderness
We know from Scripture that Jesus traveled to sections of Jordan shortly after his baptism by John the Baptist, but that He did not do so until after He entered the Wilderness. What was this “wilderness” that I was talking about? The ancient Jews referred to it as the “parched country” or the “waste land,” and they gave it the name YeShimon, which means “Place of Desolation,” which means “Place of Desolation” in Hebrew. In addition to being a constrained nightmare of craggy hills and small gorges, it was also the site of one of the greatest confrontations in human history, when Jesus resisted Satan’s three-fold temptation.
It is located from just east of Jerusalem down to the Dead Sea and southward to the Negev Desert.
Other Places Jesus Traveled
We also know that He preached at the southern Lebanese cities of Tyre and Sidon, according to tradition. Jesus likewise traveled “by the Sea of Galilee” (Mark 1:16), and subsequently “entered into Capernaum” (Mark 1:17), before returning to Jerusalem (Mark 1:21). Indeed, He was transfigured on Mount Hermon, which is located in southern Lebanon, and His first miracle was done in the city of Cana, also in southern Lebanon, when he transformed water into wine. It was in the Galilee region that He spent most of his life; he also spent some time in the Jerusalem region, where He went up to the feast and also entered into His passion, which included an unjust trial, His condemnation (despite the fact that He was innocent), the scourging by the Roman guards, the crucifixion at Calvary, which was just outside the city walls, and his burial nearby.
Conclusion
According to the Apostle John, his gospel concluded with the following words: “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book; but these are recorded in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). (John 20:30-31). Because of this, we are all left with just one of two options: we either trust in Christ and obtain everlasting life (John 3:36a), or we can reject Him and be subjected to the wrath of God for all eternity (John 3:36b).
Article by Jack Wellman
Jack Wellman is the pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane, Kansas. He has been in the ministry for over 30 years. What Christians Want To Know is a Christian website whose aim is to equip, encourage, and excite Christians while also answering questions regarding the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know. You may follow Jack on Google Plus, and you can also read his book Teaching Children the Gospel, which is available on Amazon.
Places Jesus visited according to Luke’s Gospel
Source:” data-image-caption=”” data-medium-file=” data-large-file=” src=” alt=”life of Christ” data-image-caption=”” data-medium-file=” data-large-file=” src=” alt=”life of Christ” srcset=” 676w,150w,300w,768w,1024w,1223w” sizes=”(max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px”> srcset=” 676w,150w,300w,768w,1024w,1223w 1. Born in the city of Bethlehem (Luke 2:6). 2. In Jerusalem, he was dedicated to God by his parents (Luke:22). 3. Raised in the city of Nazareth (Luke 2:39-40). 4. Jesus took part in the Passover celebrations in Jerusalem in the year 12 (Luke 2:41-42).
- At the Jordan River, Jesus was baptized by his cousin John (Luke 3:21).
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When Jesus is in or near Bethany, he instructs his followers to prepare for his forthcoming journey to Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-30).
20 In the city of Jerusalem, Jesus is crucified (Luke 23). 21. Jesus appears to two followers who are traveling on the road to Emmaus that he is still alive (Luke 24:13-35). The first task is to look at the map below and write down the names of places that aren’t listed in Luke’s Gospel.
Jesus Footsteps – 100 events in 1000 days
| The event | Event type | When | Where | Gospels reference | |
| 1 | Jesus travels from Nazareth (Jesus is about 30 years old) to Capernaum | Travel | (1st year)28AD | Capernaum | Lk 3:23,Mt 4:13 |
| 2 | Baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan river | Baptize | 28AD | Jordan river | Mk 1:9-11,Mt 3:13-17 |
| 3 | Goes into Judean desert, faces the devil’s temptation | Travel | stays for 40 days | Desert | Mk 1:12,Lk 4:1,Mt 4:1 |
| 4 | Jesus calls his first five disciples to meet at the place of baptism | Meeting | Bethabara,beyond theJordan river | Jn 1:28-42 | |
| 5 | Jesus returns to Galilee with his disciples | Travel | Galilee | Jn 1:43 | |
| 6 | turns water into wine in a wedding | Miracle | 28AD | Cana | Jn 2:1 |
| 7 | Travels and stays in Capernaum for a short while | Lodging | Capernaum | Jn 2:12 | |
| 8 | Travels to Jerusalem for Passover | Travel | Apr. 28AD | Jerusalem | Jn 2:13 |
| 9 | Drives out the money changers from the temple | Act | temple | Jn 2:14 | |
| 10 | Meets Nicodemus the Pharisee | Meeting | at night | Jerusalem | Jn 3:1-21 |
| 11 | Jesus leaves with his disciples to baptize believers | Act | land ofJudea | Jn 3:22 | |
| 12 | Jesus continues north with his disciples, meets a Samaritan woman near Jacob’s well | Travel, Meeting | Village ofSychar inSamaria | Jn 4:4-5 | |
| 13 | Adds Samaritans to his believers | Act | for 2 days | Samaria | Jn 4:39-42 |
| 14 | Departs to Galilee | Travel | after 2 days | Samaria | Jn 4:43 |
| 15 | Reaches Galilee, received by residents | Travel | Galilee | Jn 4:44-45 | |
| 16 | Heals the official’s son (laid sick in Capernaum) | Miracle | Cana | Jn 4:46-54 | |
| 17 | Moves to Capernaum | Lodging | (2nd year)29AD | Capernaum | Mk 1:21,Mt 4:13,Lk 4:31 |
| 18 | Starts to preach | Acts | Capernaum | Mt 4:17 | |
| 19 | Heals madman in synagogue | Healing | synagogue | Mk 1:23Lk 4:33 | |
| 20 | Heals Peter’s mother in law of fever | Healing | Peter’s house | Mk 1:29Mt 8:14-17,Lk 4:38 | |
| 21 | Travels, preaching and healing | Travel,Healing | synagoguesin the Galilee | Mk 1:39,Mt 4:23 | |
| 22 | Heals the leper | Healing | city in theGalilee | Mk 1:40,Lk 5:12,Mt 8:2 | |
| 23 | Returns to Capernaum | Travel | Capernaum | Mk 2:1 | |
| 24 | Heals a paralyzed man | Healing | Capernaum | Mk 2:3,Mt 9:2,Lk 5:18 | |
| 25 | Jesus calls Levi (Matthew)the tax collector to be a disciple | Acts | Capernaum | Mk 2:14,Mt 9:9,Lk 5:27 | |
| 26 | Jesus travels to Jerusalem to a Jewish Festival (Passover? Shavout?) | Travel | Apr/May 29AD | Jerusalem | Jn 5:1 |
| 27 | Heals crippled man | Healing | On a Sabbath | Jerusalem, poolofBethesda | Jn 5:2-19 |
| 28 | Returns north | Travel | sea of Galilee | Jn 6:1 | |
| 29 | Heals a man with shriveled hand | Healing | synagogue in Galilee | Mk 3:1,Mt 12:9,Lk 6:6 | |
| 30 | Heals many others | Healing | Galilee | Mk 3:7,Mt 12:15 | |
| 31 | Selects his 12 apostles | Acts | Galilee hillside, near Capernaum | Mk 3:13,Mt 10:1,Lk 6:12 | |
| 32 | Delivers sermon on the mount (or hillside) | Preaching | Galilee hillside, near Capernaum | Mt 5,Lk 6:20 | |
| 33 | Heals a servant of Roman centurion | Healing | Capernaum | Mt 8:5,Lk 7:2 | |
| 34 | Continues to preachheal | Preaching,Healing | Galilee | ||
| 35 | Brings back the widow’s son back to life | Healing | Nain | Lk 7:Lk 11-16 | |
| 36 | Tours the Galilee with his 12 apostles and assistant women | Travel | Galilee | Lk 8:1 | |
| 37 | Sails across the sea of Galilee | Travel | Jesus Boat | Mk 4:35,Mt 8:18,Lk 8:22 | |
| 38 | Calms a storm (seepainting) | Miracle | sea of Galilee | Mk 4:37,Mt 8:24,Lk 8:23 | |
| 39 | Land in region of Gerasenes/Gadarenes | Travel | gentile Decapolis | Mk 5:1,Lk 8:26,Mt 8:28 | |
| 40 | Heals madman/madmen; their devils driven out into herd of pigs who then drown in the lake; | Healing | Kursi | Mt 8:28-34,Mk 5:1-14,Lk 8:26-33 | |
| 41 | Greeted by the whole city | Acts | Gadarenes | Mt 8:34,Mk 5:14-20,Lk 8: 34-37 | |
| 42 | Sails back to Capernaum | Travel | sea of Galilee, Capernaum | Mk 5:2122 | |
| 43 | Heals daughter of Jairus | Healing | Capernaum | ||
| 44 | Returns to Nazareth | Travel | Nazareth | Mk 6:1 | |
| 45 | Rejected again in his home town | Acts | Synagoguein Nazareth | Mk 6:1,Mt 13:54 | |
| 46 | Travels in the Galilee | Travel | Galilee | Mt 13:58,Mk 6:6 | |
| 47 | Sends out the 12 apostles to preach | Preach | Galilee | Mk 6:7,Mt 10:5,Lk 9:1 | |
| 48 | The 12 return back from the tour | Travel | Capernaum | Mk 6:30,Lk 9:10 | |
| 49 | Jesus sails with the 12 to a quite place | Travel | sea of Galilee | Mk 6:32 | |
| 50 | Feeds the 5,000 | Miracle | nearBethsaida | Mk 6:33,Mt 14:14,Lk 9:10,Jn 6:5 | |
| 51 | Disciples sail back | Travel | sea of Galilee | Mk 6:45,Mt 14:22 | |
| 52 | Jesus walks on the water to them | Miracle | sea of Galilee | Mk 6:48,Mt 14:25,Jn 6:19 | |
| 53 | Land on the shore of the plains of Gennesaret | Travel | sea of Galilee | Mk 6:53,Mt 14:34 | |
| 54 | Heals many people | Healing | Gennesaret | Mk 6:53,Mt 14:34 | |
| 55 | returns home;Jesus teaches about the bread of life | Travel, preach | Capernaum | Jn 6:24,Jn 6:26 | |
| 56 | Travels to coast of TyreSidon(Syrian Phoenicia, north of Galilee) | Travel | Tyre, Sidon | Mk 7:24,Mt 15:21 | |
| 57 | Heals daughter of gentile woman | Healing | Mt 15:22-29, Mk7:25 | ||
| 58 | Returns to Decapolis | Travel | midst of coastofDecapolis | Mk 7:31 | |
| 59 | Heals the deafmute man | Healing | Decapolis | Mk 7:32 | |
| 60 | Feeds the 4,000 | Miracle | Decapolis | Mk 8:1-9,Mt 16:5-12 | |
| 61 | Sails to a town near Magdala (also called Dalmanutha) | Travel | nearMagdala | Mk 8:10,Mt 15:39 | |
| 62 | The Pharisees and Sadducees ask for proof – a sign from heaven | Acts | nearMagdala | Mk 8:11,Mt 16:1-4 | |
| 63 | Departs to Beithsaida | Travel | Bethsaida | Mk 8:22-26 | |
| 64 | Heals blind man | Healing | Bethsaida | Mk 8:22-26 | |
| 65 | Travels to Caesarea Phillipi (upper Galilee) | Travel | Caesarea Phillipi | Mk 8:27,Mt 16:13 | |
| 66 | Peter confesses that Jesus is Christ | Acts | Caesarea Phillipi | Mk 8:29,Mt 16:16 | |
| 67 | Travel to high mountain (Hermon? Tabor?) | Travel | after 6 days | Mt Hermonor MtTabor | Mk 9:2,Mt 17:1,Lk 9:28 |
| 68 | The disciples see Jesus transfigured in presence of Elijah and Moses | Mt Hermonor MtTabor | Mk 9:2,Mt 17:1,Lk 9:28 | ||
| 69 | Heals boy with epilepsy | Healing | Mt Tabor? | Mk 9:14 | |
| 70 | Travels in the Galilee | Travel | Galilee/ Capernaum | Mk 9:30,Mt 17:22-24 | |
| 71 | Jesus makes prophecy on his last days in Galilee | Acts | Galilee | Mt 17:22-23 | |
| 72 | Jesus pays the temple tax with a fish | Acts | Capernaum | Mt 17:24-27 | |
| 73 | Jesus remains in Galilee to avoid problems with the Jews | Travel | Galilee | Jn 7:1 | |
| 74 | Leaves Galilee (for last time) | Travel | Galilee | Mk 10:1,Mt 19:1 | |
| 75 | On his way to Jerusalem, arrives to Samaria | Travel | Samaria | Lk 9:51,Jn 7:10 | |
| 76 | Heals the ten lepers | Healing | Samariavillage | Lk 17:11 | |
| 77 | Rejected in Samaritan village | Acts | Samariavillage | Lk 9:52 | |
| 78 | Arrives in Jerusalem for the feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth) | Travel | Oct, 29AD | Jerusalem | Jn 7:2- |
| 79 | Went up to the temple, to mount of olives and back to the temple | Travel | Temple,Mount of Olives | Jn 7:14-8:2 | |
| 80 | Forgives a woman caught in adultery, although the Pharisees wanted to stone her | Temple | Jn 8:3 | ||
| 81 | Heals a blind man | Healing | Temple | Jn 9:1 | |
| 82 | Travels in Judea; meets MarthaMary | Travel | Bethany,near Jerusalem | Lk 10:38 | |
| 83 | Returns to Jerusalem for Hanukkah | Travel | Dec, 29AD | Ophel and Hulda gates | Jn 10:22 |
| 84 | Stays in Bethabara and Perea | Travel | (3rd year)Jan, 30AD | BethAbara | Jn 10:40 |
| 85 | Raises Lazarus from the dead | Healing | Bethany | Jn 11:1 | |
| 86 | After threats on his life, moves to Ephraim | Travel | Ephraim | Jn 11:54 | |
| 87 | Works in Perea (east of Jordan river) | Acts | Perea region | Mk 19:1,Mt 19:1 | |
| 88 | Blesses little children, speaks to rich young man | Acts | Perea | Mk 10:13,Mt 19:13,Lk 18:15 | |
| 89 | Passes in Jericho, heals blind men | Healing | Mar 30AD | Jericho | Mk 10:46,Mt 20:29,Lk 18:35 |
| 90 | Converts Zacchaeus, tax collector | Acts | Jericho | Lk 19:1 | |
| 91 | In the house of Lazarus, Mary and Martha; anointed by Mary | Acts | 6 days before Passover;Apr 18 | Bethany,Mount of Olives | Jn 12,Mk 14:3,Mt 26:6 |
| 92 | Before Passover, visits Jerusalem every day and returns to Bethany at night, for 6 days | Travel | Apr 24-29, AD30AD | Jerusalem | Mk 11:11,Mt 21:17,Lk 21:37 |
| 93 | Rides into Jerusalem on a donkey (the Messiah according to the Jewish tradition) | Travel | Sunday before Passover | Mount of Olives | Jn 12:12-15Lk 19:37 |
| 94 | This excitement is noticed by the chief priests | Temple mount | Lk 19:39;Mt 21:15Mk 11:11. | ||
| 95 | Overturns table of money changers and merchants | Acts | Southern Wall | Mt 21:12 | |
| 96 | Last supper | Acts | Bethany | Lk 22:14 | |
| 97 | Hides in the garden with his disciples; captured after Judas betrayal | Acts | at night | Gethsemane | Jn 18: 1-3 |
| 98 | Tried and convicted | Acts | Flagellation | Mk 14:50-15:39,Lk 23:4 | |
| 99 | Led to the cross | Via Dolorosa | Luke 23,Luke 26 | ||
| 100 | Jesus is crucified Friday, 15th of Nissan | Acts | Apr 30AD | Holy Sepulchre | Mk 14:12,Jn 19:31 |
The lost years of Jesus: The mystery of Christ’s missing 18 years
Known as the “Lost Years” of Jesus Christ, the period between the ages of 12 and 30 between his birth and death is a scriptural riddle that has perplexed historians and Christians alike for many centuries. It is unknown where Jesus may have been or traveled during that time period, creating a theological vacuum that has been filled with beliefs that are mostly inspired by religious belief, rumor, and mythology depending on the sources used to develop them. In this essay, whether readers are believers or not, the author examines the diverse spectrum of stories that have emerged since the early 1900s.
- This has resulted in legends of his traveling to far-flung regions such as India to study with Eastern mystics, Persia, and even North America, as well as claims of him having visited Europe.
- So, what proof do we have to back up the claim that Jesus traveled hundreds of kilometers from Judea to other countries on his mission?
- Jesus is thought to have been born at Bethlehem, but according to the Gospels, his family moved away shortly afterward and resided in the town of Nazareth, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of the Bible that Jesus would be known as a Nazarene.
- A popular narrative is that Jesus went three miles away to the bustling town of Sepphoris, which at the time was noted for its beautiful mosaic artwork made by the Romans, in the middle Galilee area of today’s Israel, in search of employment because he had little possibility of finding it.
- It is possible that Jesus spent the majority of these intervening years working as a carpenter in Galilee, as some Christian scholars think; nevertheless, there are few allusions to this in the Scriptures.
- Jesus may have gone on an epic ‘walkabout’ from his home in Nazareth, according to one idea about his disappearance and his missing years.
Most likely, while living at Sepphoris, the young Jesus received his first awareness of the world by both speaking the Aramaic language and learning to read, which is how he came to be known as “the Christ.” According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus walked into the synagogue and read from the scroll of the prophets, which is the only piece of recorded scripture that supports this theory so far.
- Such information may have served as an impetus for Jesus to seek answers in the outside world, and it may have had an impact on his choice to abandon his family, which would have been contentious at the time.
- This ‘walkabout,’ which lasted nearly two decades, may have begun when he was 13 years old and continued until his death.
- Whatever obligations a young Jesus may have had to his mother and extended family in Nazareth, it must have been a contentious decision for him to abandon those closest to him at such an early age in order to embark on an epic and risky journey on foot.
- To put it another way, if anything was significant, it would have been included in the Bible.
- For many years, there have been rumors that the Vatican contains strange information concerning the life of Jesus and his eighteen years that were never revealed.
- To this day, nothing has been disclosed concerning the existence of such records, as well as what Jesus was doing and where he was throughout the period between the ages of 13 and 30.
- When a Russian traveller claimed to have uncovered authentic scriptures at a monastery in India in the late nineteenth century, it was widely believed that Jesus had been to India and taught there as well as elsewhere in the East.
He is a tin merchant who some think to be his uncle, however other ‘canonical gospel’ sources characterize him primarily as a wealthy businessman and disciple of Jesus.
The Holy Grail is said to have been housed in the first church built by Joseph in order to protect it.
Did those old feet tread along the green of England’s mountains in ancient times?
This account may have added to the mystique surrounding the Holy Grail and its existence in England.
This topic is also mentioned in another variant, which claims that Joseph hid the Holy Grail beneath Glastonbury Tor, which is claimed to be the entrance to the underworld and where a natural spring known as the ‘Chalice Well’ first began to rise up.
The ‘Holy Thorn’ is mentioned in another narrative related with Joseph of Arimathea, which depicts him delivering it to the town of Somerset.
One of the most intriguing stories relating to Joseph of Arimathea, and one that is considered to be a recent invention, is that, as a tin merchant by trade, he brought the young Jesus along with him on a trading voyage to south-west Britain and Cornwall, where tin was abundant, according to tradition.
- Twenty-three years later, in 1922, the tradition of Jesus visiting Britain was included in a book written by the Reverend Lionel Smithett Lewis, vicar of St John’s church in Glastonbury, Somerset, who was also a member of the Church of England at the time.
- After expanding the tale to almost two hundred pages by the time it reached its final form in 1955, the Apostolic Church of Britain claimed that Glastonbury was the burial site of the Virgin Mary.
- The text made the surprising assertion that Jesus had traveled to India during the years of his life that had been lost and had studied as a Buddhist monk.
- Notovitch provided a narrative, claiming that he had fractured his leg during the journey and had been forced to recuperate in a secluded monastery at Hemis in the hills of Ladakh, India, due to his injuries.
- It was written in the Pali language (an Indo-Aryan language) and was published in two large volumes with cardboard covers and yellowed leaves due to the passage of time.
- This guy could only have been the biblical Jesus, as Issa is the Arabic name for Jesus in Islam.
- According to the scripture, Jesus left Judea when he was 13 years old and embarked on an epic journey of self-discovery that included study of various religious traditions.
- Then he traveled to the Himalayas, where he spent time in Tibetan monasteries studying Buddhism before returning to Judea, where he was 29 years old at the time of his return.
- Notovitch’s book, published more than a century and a quarter ago, has mostly been forgotten, and the contents and claims it makes have been consigned to the realms of imagination by his contemporaries.
- Even at the time of Notovitch’s publications, a number of individuals were skeptical of his statements and thought them to be unbelievable.
Notovitch’s allegations, according to one well-known Indologist, are “a huge fat lie.” When Muller inquired about Notovitch’s supposed recovery at a monastery, he received a response claiming that no westerners had visited the monastery in the previous fifteen years and that no old manuscripts similar to the one mentioned by the author had been discovered inside.
Archibald Douglas, a professor of English and history at the Government College in Agra, India, paid a personal visit to Hemis monastery and spoke with the Head Lama, who confirmed that Notovitch had never visited the monastery before.
Even though Notovitch claimed to have seen a document confirming that Jesus had stopped at Hemis monastery and claimed to have taken a photograph of the mystery book itself, no physical proof was uncovered to support his claim, including no image of the mysterious manuscript itself.
I took many interesting images on my travels, but when I returned to India and examined the negatives, I was saddened to discover that they had been completely destroyed’, says the author.
The Scottish civil servant and foreign reporter for The Times newspaper said that, after meeting Notovitch several times in July 1887, he claimed that the Russian traveller offered his services as a’spy’ for the British government in India on one of the occasions.
Nothing else was heard from him on the matter, and the writer’s assertions about Jesus visiting India were dismissed as nothing more than a fiction with no basis in truth.
It is said in The New Testament that the Galilee and Judea were the primary venues for Jesus’ mission, with activity also going place in nearby areas such as Peres and Samaria.
Taking into consideration that a committed individual on a mission might complete the 150–200 km journey from Judea to Galilee on foot in six days, it is likely that an experienced walker with knowledge of the terrain could cover far greater distances in a much less amount of time.
The most common form of transportation was on foot, with an average daily mileage of roughly 20 miles, but oxen, donkeys, and camels were also used by locals.
According to the usual walking habits and skills of the time, such a long and arduous journey, reportedly done by Jesus alone and over a period of many years, may be physically feasible.
At the time of Jesus’ teachings (AD 27-29), Judea was under Roman dominion and susceptible to oppression at the hands of its Roman rulers, who were granted the ability to punish with death.
Even though they were conquerors, the Romans were responsible for more travel facilitation than any previous empire, having built important roads and cleansed the seas of pirates.
A traveler could make his way from the Euphrates River’s beaches to the boundary between England and Scotland without having to pass any foreign borders, according to historian Lionel Casson.
Ship travel was the most efficient mode of long-distance transportation, but it was only available between April and October due to the dangers of the winter seas.
It is estimated that by AD 300, the Romans had constructed an 85,000-kilometer network of well-maintained highways throughout their empire, mostly for military objectives.
This is true despite the possibility of illness, injury, and other misfortunes along the way.