By AR Press Staff
Nov 11th 2023
The Bible actually has a lot to say about the place Jesus was buried and resurrected. It’s actually amazing when you consider it, how God wanted it in the record of where His Son rose from the Grave!
Enjoy this article as we share with you the place many, including AR Press, believe is the actual burial and resurrection grave of Jesus of Nazareth, The Christ!
1. The place where He was crucified was outside of the city:
“This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city…” Gospel of John 19:20a
2. He was crucified at “The Place of the Skull” – Golgotha is Hebrew, Calvary in Latin:
“And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The Place of the Skull.” Gospel of Mark 15:22 “And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called “The Place of a Skull” which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: there they crucified Him…” Gospel of John 19:17,18a “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary [in Latin, The Place of the Skull], there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” Gospel of Luke 23:33
3. The Tomb where He was buried was adjacent to the place where He was crucified:
“Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never a man yet laid. They laid Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.” Gospel of John, 19:41,42
4. The Tomb was a rich man’s grave, craved into the stone:
“And Behold, there as a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never a man before was laid.” Gospel of Luke 23:50-53 “And he brought fine linen, and took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen, and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.” Gospel of Mark 15:46 “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: he went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.” Gospel of Matthew 27:57-60
5. Pilate had a “Seal” placed on the stone to ensure no one would move it:
“Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, “Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.” So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” Gospel of Matthew 27:64-66
6. The place where He was buried was used as a garden:
“Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never a man yet laid. They laid Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.” Gospel of John, 19:41,42
Now wouldn’t it be just amazing if we found a place in Jerusalem that was: 1. Outside of the City, 2. Near a place of a Skull, 3. That had a Tomb Craved into the Rock, 4. That had a Seal placed into the Rock, 5. And was Used as a Garden in the Time of Christ (and we could prove it!)!? Wouldn’t that be absolutely amazing!?
Well, let me introduce you to my very favorite place in all of Jerusalem, “The Garden Tomb”
The history of this place and its finding is just as amazing as the place itself! But for the sake of time, let's discuss what was found there! First and foremost, we have an ancient, rich-man’s tomb that was found craved into the rock – fitting the type and style of the tombs used in Jesus’ day – and it is located exactly outside of the ancient city of Jerusalem!
We know that this place was used as a garden, even in Jesus’ time because of the ancient cistern found there, also the ancient wine press (also carved into the rock) and several other ancient findings proving this place was used as a garden in antiquity – even in Jesus’ time!
But there is more! When you walk around away from the tomb not more than a short few-minute walk away you find this hill with a clearly defined image naturally occurring in the rock! And guess what!? It looks exactly like the face of a skull!! It is known that this place has been called "The Place of the Skull" for as many generations as any families living in Jerusalem can remember!
But what about the seal? Didn’t Pilate place a seal on the tomb? Yes! And that too is there! Just next to the tomb there is clearly a metal pin that someone had pounded into the rock! Looks exactly like someone wanted to mark or seal a stone that was rolled in front of a tomb (that had never before been used)!!
What are the odds of finding a place with so many of the details that fit the biblical narrative? Well, even moreso, we have discovered that the ancient Christians 200-300 years after Christ’s resurrection also believed that this was the place of His burial and resurrection because they would regularly hold church services here! And gather at the site, commemorating His resurrection!
I love to be in this magical place. The Word of God comes alive and I feel comforted, refreshed and amazed at how God has preserved such wonders for us until this day! When I lived in Jerusalem I would visit The Garden Tomb sometimes as often as daily! I would sit in the garden and write and pray and meet interesting people from all over the world coming to discover Jesus or bask in His glory! Jesus in fact is Risen! There is loads of evidence. The Bible is true! Click around thru our Biblical Archeology Section of the site. They continue to find amazing amazing things all throughout the ancient world proving the authenticity of the Bible. Share this stuff! Show the world! We don’t have some “blind faith” the evidence is all around us!
God Bless