Why do some consider the Garden Tomb as the place where Jesus was crucified and buried?

he Garden Tomb aligns with biblical descriptions. Hebrews (13:12) mentions Jesus’ crucifixion outside the city gate, which matches the tomb’s location outside Jerusalem’s walls. Additionally, the Gospel of John (19:41-42) describes a garden near the crucifixion site, which mirrors the setting of the Garden Tomb.

How did the Garden Tomb gain its historical significance?

The Garden Tomb was discovered in 1867 and was visited by General Charles Gordon in 1883. He was intrigued by its proximity to a rocky escarpment resembling a skull, which he connected with the biblical description of Golgotha, ‘The Place of the Skull’. This led to the belief that it could be the crucifixion and resurrection site of Jesus Christ.

How does the Garden Tomb differ from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?

The Garden Tomb and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are both considered by different Christian denominations as potential sites for Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The Garden Tomb is recognized especially by Protestants, while the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located at the end of the Via Dolorosa, is traditionally recognized by Catholic and Orthodox Christians.

The Garden Tomb and its Biblical Echoes

Overview

The Garden Tomb is considered by some denominations as the place where Jesus was crucified and buried. It is owned and administered by The Garden Tomb (Jerusalem) Association, a charitable trust based in the United Kingdom.

Location of the Garden Tomb

Nestled amidst the timeless structures of East Jerusalem, the Garden Tomb beckons from its peaceful corner near the bustling Damascus Gate , one of the primary gateways into the city’s historic heart.

Biblical Context

The Garden Tomb weaves a compelling narrative that resonates with biblical descriptions. Hebrews (13:12) portrays Jesus’ crucifixion outside the city gate, aligning with the tomb’s location outside Jerusalem’s walls. Furthermore, the Gospel of John (19:41-42) tells of a garden near the crucifixion site. This mirrors the setting of the Garden Tomb, adding another layer of authenticity to its biblical significance. The verse narrates,

At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden, a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

John (19:41-42)

The Garden Tomb's Historical Lens

The Garden Tomb wasn’t always recognized as a sacred site. Its journey into the annals of religious history began in the 19th century. The tomb, an ancient sepulcher hewn out of rock, was discovered in 1867. General Charles Gordon, a British Army officer, visited the site in 1883 and was intrigued by the tomb’s proximity to a rocky escarpment resembling a skull. He connected this with the biblical description of Golgotha, ‘The Place of the Skull’, leading to the conjecture that this could indeed be the crucifixion and resurrection site of Jesus Christ.

Over time, the Garden Tomb garnered recognition and became a significant pilgrimage site, especially for Protestants. This location provided an alternative to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located at the end of the Via Doloroasa, that is traditionally recognized by Catholic and Orthodox Christians as the site for Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

Archaeological Findings

The Sepulcher: The rock-hewn tomb echoes the biblical description in making it the focal point of the Garden Tomb site.
The Skull Hill: The escarpment near the tomb bears a striking resemblance to a human skull, possibly linking it to ‘Golgotha’, the biblical Place of the Skull.
Ancient Cistern: The discovery of a large water cistern, with a capacity of nearly 200,000 liters, hints at the presence of a garden in this locale during the first century.
Historical Winepress: An unearthed winepress near the tomb suggests that a vineyard might have once existed here, reinforcing the biblical reference to a garden.

Sources and Additional Reading
Religious Studies Center – Revisiting Golgotha and the Garden Tomb
The BAS Library – The Garden Tomb: Was Jesus Buried Here?
See the Holyland

Nearby Sites

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre: An equally revered alternative site for Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, located just a short distance from the Garden Tomb inside of Jerusalem’s Old City Walls.
Damascus Gate: Damascus Gate is one of the primary gateways into the historic heart of East Jerusalem. It is close to Herod’s Gate too.
Rockefeller Archaeological Museum: The museum showcases a vast collection of antiquities discovered mainly during the British Mandate.
The Via Dolorosa: A path within the Old City, believed to be the route that Jesus trod towards his crucifixion. Notable sites along the road is the Church of the Flagellation and the Church of Condemnation.