the Garden Tomb

Where was Jesus crucified?

Where was Jesus buried?

Christians, throughout the last 2,000 years, have asked those two significant questions. Many believe that Golgotha and the tomb are at the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (especially those belonging to the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian traditions as well as the professor from Calgary that I came to Israel with.) This is the traditional view. Others believe that Calvary and the tomb are at the site of the Garden tomb just outside the city walls (especially evangelical protestants). This site has only been considered to be Calvary since 1883. I was at the Garden Tomb yesterday, and the tour guide was somewhat persuasive.

So where did Jesus actually die and where was he buried? Maybe it’s a combination of both. Maybe he was crucified at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and maybe he was buried at the Garden Tomb. Who knows!

Does it matter? Does knowing the exact place really make a difference?

It doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that he DID die and that the tomb IS empty!