The Well by the Gate, Bethlehem.
The prominence of Bethlehem in the Old Testament rests largely on its associations with David. It was his birthplace and home, and the scene of his anointing as King by Samuel.
"And David said longingly, "O that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate!" Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Phillistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it; he poured it out to the Lord". [2 Samuel 23:15-16]
A group of boys at the remains of an ancient stone arch.
Can anyone give us the location for this interesting image?
A Street in Bethlehem
The very small "Door of Humility" leading into the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and built over the Grotto of the Nativity, believed to the birthplace of Jesus.
The first basilica on this site was begun by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine I. Under the supervision of Bishop Makarios of Jerusalem construction was completed in 333AD. That structure was burnt down in the Samaritan Revolt of 529AD.
The current basilica was rebuilt in its present form in the year 565 by the Emperor Justinian I. When the Persians under Chosroes II invaded in 614, the basilica was unexpectedly spared from destruction. According to legend, their commander Shahrbaraz was moved by the depiction inside the church of the Three Magi wearing Persian clothing, and commanded that the building be spared.
The Cave [or Grotto] of the Nativity within the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem. The silver star embedded in the white marble, having been placed here by the Catholic Church in 1717, marks the place where Jesus is believed to have been born. Note the Orthodox Priest and the amazing array of hanging incense lamps.
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet; 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people of Israel.' " [Matthew 2:1-6]
Arab women, Bethlehem, c.1868 - Image by Frank M. Good, London.
Virtually nothing is known about Frank M. Good. He appears to have taken a series of images around the Holy Land, including stereoscopic views. This image is believed to have been taken during Good's tour of the Holy Land in 1868. Good's Holy Land slides were later sold to George Washington Wilson of Aberdeen who then sold them under his "GWW" trademark. (GWW Series).
Nazareth from the south. (GWW slide)
Jesus' childhood home is identified as the town of Nazareth in Galilee.
"And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they [Joseph, Mary & Jesus] returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him" [Luke 2:39-40]
A Carpenter's shop in Nazareth - Image by Frank M. Good, London.
Jesus is identified as a carpenter in the Gospel of Mark. While there appears to be some continuing debate over this fact, the Gospel of Matthew records Joseph's occupation as a carpenter and it is certainly likely that Jesus also learnt and worked at this trade for some years. This slide was taken for F. Farrar to illustrate his 1875 edition of "The Life of Christ". As previously mentioned, Good's Holy Land slides werer later sold to George Washington Wilson of Aberdeen who then sold them under his "GWW" trademark. (GWW Series).
"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary....?" [Mark 6:3]
"Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary?" [Matthew 14:55]
Workmen at a carpentry and joinery factory, doors and panelling stacked up against the rear wall.
Net Fishing on the Sea of Galilee
The gospels of Mark (1:14-20), Matthew (4:18-22), and Luke (5:1-11) describe how Jesus recruited four of his apostles (the Fishermen Simon and his Brother Andrew, and the Brothers John and James) from the shores of the Sea of Galilee. >
"And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him." [Mark 1:16-20]
A sail boat on the Sea of Galilee :
The Sermon on the Mount was given on a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee whilst many of his miracles were also recorded as occurring here including his walking on water, calming a storm, and his feeding five thousand people.
"Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came he was there alone, but the boat was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I, have no fear.... And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." " [Matthew 14:22-33]
Mount Hermon
The Gospels tell of Jesus and his disciples journeying north from Bethesda by the Sea of Galilee to the city of Caesaria Philippi at the southern base of Mount Hermon. There, Jesus revealed to them his purpose to build his church and to go to Jerusalem to die and be resurrected.
"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it." [Matthew 16:13-18]
Mount Tabor, located 10km east of Nazareth.
Mount Tabor is traditionally identified as the site of the Transfiguration, although the Gospels do not specifically identify the site of this event. (GWW slide)
"And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him..... when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe." [Matthew 17:1-6]>
Cana in Galilee
Biblical scholars believe this to be the site of Cana in Galilee where Jesus performed his first recorded miracle by turning water into wine. (Photo : Frank M Good, London, 1869)
"On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine.".... Now, six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast." So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from.... This the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana and his disciples believed in him." [John 2:1-11]
