Gethsemane Cave Grotto

 

Location

 

1. Gethsemane Cave is just north of the Garden of Gethsemane and beside the Tomb of Mary. Both are in the Kidron Valley, just east of the Temple Mount platform.

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2. Access to the cave is along a narrow walled passageway leading to the right from the open courtyard in front of the Tomb of Mary.

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Historical Background

 

1. Early Christians set this site apart and venerated it shortly after Jesus ascended back to heaven.

 

2. Since around 350 AD, this cave has been sanctified by the Christian faith as the place where the disciples waited for Jesus and later witnessed his arrest. A cistern, a fragment of a Greek inscription, and ceiling decorations attest to the site's use in both Byzantine and Crusader times.

 

3. In the Byzantine period, Christians recorded seeing some of the “Round Stone Beds” on which the disciples fell asleep while waiting for Jesus.

 

4. Parts of an ancient olive press prove the site is indeed Gethsemane (Gat Shmanim, in Hebrew, means oil press).

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5. The natural grotto, which is about 200 sq. yards (190 sq. meters) in area, has essentially been unchanged since Jesus's time.

 

6. It is believed to be where the disciples slept while Jesus prayed, and where Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested.

 

7. It may also be the location of Jesus’ night-time meeting with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21).

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8. The grotto is also known as the Cave of the Olive Press.

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9. Around 350 AD, the grotto became a chapel. The floor was paved with white mosaic, through which graves were dug. More than 40 graves have been discovered, mainly from the 5th to 8th centuries.

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10. The inscriptions on the wall have been interpreted in various ways. 

• The line around the sanctuary seems to mean: “Here [in these representations]: The King sweated blood. Christ the Saviour frequented [this place with his apostles]. My Father, if it is your wish, let this chalice pass from me.” 

 

Places of Interest

 

1. Eyewitnesses from the fourth and sixth centuries attest to the remains of original artifacts, revealing this was the authentic place where the Gethsemane press was and where Jesus was arrested the night before being crucified.

 

2. Over the main altar is a representation of Jesus praying among the Apostles.

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3. Paintings over the side altars depict the Assumption of the Virgin and the Kiss of Judas.

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4. Bronze figures beneath the main altar depict two sleeping disciples.

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5. To the right of the right-hand altar is a hole in the wall. It is just at the right height to hold one end of a wooden beam which, when weighted at the other end, pressed crushed olives piled in loosely woven baskets.

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6. Carved cross to the left of the altar.

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7. Seven layers of writings on the ceiling toward the back of the cave dating to shortly after the time of Christ.

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8. Cistern toward the back of the cave.

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9. Around 80 tombs, some dating to as early as 325 AD.

 

10. Garden of Gethsemane

 

11. Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat)

 

12. Temple Mount

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Gethsemane Cave in the Bible

 

1. This is the most likely place Jesus and His disciples stayed 

while ministering in Jerusalem.

Luke 21:37-38: Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

 

2. This is the most likely place Jesus spent His last moments with the disciples before being arrested and crucified.

Matthew 26:30-31: And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

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3. It was likely here that Jesus went to pray.

Matthew 26:36: Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.”

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4. Christ’s sweat became like great drops of blood nearby.
Luke 22:43-44: And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

 

5. Christ was arrested and taken captive by the Jews nearby.
Matthew 26:45-50: Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." 47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him." 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.

 

Faith Lesson from Gethsemane Cave

 

1. Jesus willingly went to the cross to pay for our sins and show His great love for us. What about us? Do we truly appreciate what Christ did for us?

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2. Jesus was the perfect example of willingly submitting to God and resisting sin and temptation, even sweating drops of blood. What about us? Do we submit to God regardless of the cost?

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3. It was here that the disciples fled and abandoned Jesus. What about us? Do we stand firm during trials and persecution?

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