See Where Jesus Was Arrested to Be Crucified! Mary's Tomb, Church of St. Mary, Gethsemane Cave Tour!

Tour the Gethsemane Cave, where Jesus was arrested before being crucified, and the Tomb of Mary, also known as the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Mary, which is located just a little north of the Garden of Gethsemane in the Kidron Valley.
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Contents:
0:00 - Intro
1:36 - Overview
5:20 - Gethsemane Cave Exploration
18:38 - Exploration of the Church of the Sepulchre of St. Mary
24:12 - Bible Teaching
34:41 - Faith Lesson

Location
The Tomb of Mary (mother of Jesus), also known as the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Mary, is located just a little north of the Garden of Gethsemane in the Kidron Valley. Right beside the Tomb of Mary Church is the Gethsemane Cave Complex.

Historical Background
1. The New Testament is silent regarding the death and burial of Mary, but strong Christian tradition places her tomb at this site.
2. The church is in an underground rock-cut cave in the shape of a cross. It has a wide staircase leading down to the church. It is dimly lit and has blackish ceilings due to centuries of candle burning.
3. The church began as burial caves that were cut into rock in the 1st century.
4. These caves were later expanded in 455 AD into a cross-shaped church with the tomb of Mary in its center.
5. The large crypt containing the empty tomb in the church is all that remains of an early 5th-century church.
6. In the 6th century, an octagon-shaped church was built on the upper level, covering the tomb. However, it was destroyed in the Persian invasion in 614.
7. During the Crusader period (1130), the church was rebuilt and included a Benedictine monastery called the Abbey Church of St. Mary of Jehosaphat. Virtually everything was destroyed by Saladin in 1187 except for the south entrance and staircase.
8. After the Crusaders left, the site was taken over by the Franciscans. Since that time, it has been shared by Greeks, Armenians, Syrians, Copts, Abyssinians, and Muslims.
9. Muslims also worship here, and in the wall to the right of the Tomb of Mary is a mihrab niche, giving the direction of Mecca. It was installed after Saladin’s conquest in the 12th Century.
10. According to Catholic tradition, Mary ascended into heaven. Her tomb at this church is empty and is a shrine honoring this event. However, there is no proof of Mary ascending to heaven, and Protestants believe Mary died a natural death.

Places of Interest
1. Gethsemane Cave Complex
This is the believed place Jesus and the disciples often stayed while in Jerusalem and the place nearby where Jesus was arrested before His crucifixion.
2. The modern upper level of the church.
3. Forty-seven steps leading down to the dimly lit church.
4. On the way down the steps, there are 2 chapels. On the left side is the chapel of Joseph, Mary's husband, and on the right side is the chapel of Mary's parents, Hanna (Anna) and Joachim.
5. Mary’s Chapel
6. Mary’s Tomb
7. Copt Altar
8. Garden of Gethsemane
9. Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat)
10. Temple Mount

The Life of Mary in the Bible
1. Mary was a godly woman with the privilege of being the mother of Jesus. Luke 1:26–31
2. Mary treasured the privilege of being Christ’s earthly mother. Luke 2:19
3. Being the mother of Jesus would come with a high price. Luke 2:34–35
4. Mary was obedient, submitting to God and her husband in all things. Matthew 2:13
5. Because Christ’s earthly father, Joseph, is not mentioned after Christ was 12 years old, and because Christ entrusted the Apostle John with her care at His death, it appears she became a widow at an early age. John 19:25–27
6. Mary did not remain a virgin, as she had 4 other sons and several daughters after Jesus was born. Matthew 15:55–56: "Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us?"
7. Mary witnessed the crucifixion of her Son on the Cross. John 19:25
8. Mary continued to support the apostles and was part of serving the cause of Jesus after His resurrection. Acts 1:14

Faith Lesson from the Life of Mary
1. Mary was a deeply devoted woman to be honored, but nowhere in Scripture is she worshiped, nor are we commanded to worship or pray to her.
2. Mary did not stay a virgin after the birth of Christ. The Bible says she had at least four sons and other daughters. The Bible should be our highest authority and we should believe it over what any church or religion teaches.
3. The Lord highly favored Mary because of her love and obedience to Him. When we obey and seek the Lord, we are favored by Him as well.
4. Our obedience doesn’t earn God’s love, but it does bring blessing and favor.
5. We could learn a lot from the life of Mary and should emulate her faith and devotion to God.