MOUNT OF OLIVES

Perhaps the most prominent landmark around Jerusalem is the Mount of Olives rising across the Kidron Valley to the east of the city. On its slopes lies the Garden of Gethsemane, and over its top on the other side is the little town of Bethany. It is about a mile long and some 2,641 feet high. Ezekiel calls it the "mountain of the east side of the city." (Ezekiel 11:23) Luke in Acts 1:12 says that it is a Sabbath’s Day journey from the city of Jerusalem.

The view of the city from the Mount of Olives cannot be captured by human vocabulary. It must be experienced. It was here that Jesus wept over the city with a broken heart as told in Matthew 23:37-39. The Palm Sunday procession made its way across the Mount of Olives from Bethany and on through the Brook Kidron to the city. (Luke 19:28ff) Jesus spoke His famous discourse on the Second Coming on this mountain in Matthew 24 and 25. It was from this place that He ascended into heaven as we have described in Acts 1. The panoramic view of the Holy City from this mountain burns its way into the human heart. On its northern end is Mount Scopus where the present day Hebrew University is located.