The Garden of Gethsemane

The Garden of Gethsemane is located on the slopes of the Mount of Olives, right at the bottom of a beautiful spacious olive tree concentration that used to be an oil press for Jerusalem olive oil production.

"Gethsemane " is translated from Hebrew as "Gat Shmanit" Matthew (26:36) and Mark (14:32)  or simply the meaning of Gethsemane is an oil press factory, as an ordinary factory it was located outside the city to prevent any disruptions from the citizens and also the need for a big place to produce, this is not a surprise since the location is full with olive trees, therefore, it was the perfect location to build it over here.

Matthew 26:36

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.  And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

John 18:1

 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples.

Matthew 26:47-56

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.

Jesus went to the Gethsemane garden to pray with his disciples after the last supper in Jerusalem's Old City

"When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side, there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it."(John 18:1).

The story is mentioned in the gospels and happened during the spring since the harvesting season of the olives is Autumn! it means that the factory was no longer functioning and empty so Jesus could stay there as long as needed.

WHAT IS SO IMPORTANT ABOUT THE GETSHEMENE GARDEN?

The Garden of Gethsemane, located at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, holds profound significance in Christian tradition. It is revered for being the place where Jesus, according to the New Testament, prayed on the night of his betrayal and subsequent crucifixion. This poignant moment is described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Gethsemane, which translates to "oil press" in Aramaic, was an olive orchard where olive oil was extracted. The garden's importance appears from its association with the pivotal events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. Here, Jesus struggled with the weight of his impending sacrifice, seeking relief and divine intervention from his Heavenly Father.

The Garden of Gethsemane stands as a symbol of spiritual struggle, submission, and ultimately, profound sacrifice.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

 

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. When reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt, and prayed,  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

When he returned he found his followers asleep after we warned them not to, and he met Judas Iscariot.
Judas was one of his best disciples who executed the dark plan, he kissed Jesus as a sign to “chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders” and the guards took Jesus to the house of the high priest and then to prison.

The church commemorating the event was erected during the 4th century around the "Rock of Agony" upon which Jesus prayed for the last time and called the lord, according to many external books this is the actual place of the event. later the Sassanids destroyed the church during the 6th century, the Crusaders built again the church during the 12th century and the final construction was in 1924 by Antonio Berluzzi.

The inner part is unique, the architect made the church dark with barely a few raises of natural light coming in, the whole idea was to give us the visitors the feeling of the terrible last moments of Jesus' suffering.

The floor is one big mosaic carpet blending new mosaics but also old and covered with glass dated to the 4th century, the central part and the altar (the stone on which Jesus prayed) are surrounded by a wrought iron shaped like the Crown of Thornes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ABOUT THE GETHSEMANE GARDEN IN JERUSALEM

1. Why did Jesus pray 3 times in the Garden of Gethsemane?

Jesus prayed three times in Gethsemane to express his deep inner turmoil and to seek strength and guidance from God before facing his crucifixion.

2. Is The Garden of Gethsemane a real place?

Yes, the Garden of Gethsemane is a real place located at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

3. Can you visit the Garden of Gethsemane?

The Garden of Gethsemane is open to visitors and is a popular pilgrimage site for Christians from around the world. It's an important historical and spiritual site in Jerusalem.

VISITING GETHSEMANE GARDEN ON MOUNT OF OLIVES TODAY

BOOK A PRIVATE CHRISTIAN JERUSALEM TOUR AND VISIT THE FAMOUS GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE