The Garden Tomb – Israel

Directly next to Gordon’s Calvary is the Garden Tomb. There is perhaps no more serene place in all of Jerusalem. The Garden is owned and administered by The Garden Tomb (Jerusalem) Association, a Christian non-denominational charitable trust based in the United Kingdom.

Scriptural Significance

It’s this tomb that many believe is the garden and sepulcher of Joseph of Arimathea.

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. 

Luke 23: 50 – 56       

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. John 19: 38 – 42        

If this is in fact the tomb where the Lord Jesus Christ’s body was buried, then it is also the place where the Lord arose from the grave that Resurrection Day morning!

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you. Mark 16: 1 – 7  

 Did You Know?

The Lord made numerous appearances after He rose from the grave:

1. Mary Magdalene – John 20: 11 – 17

2. Other Women – Matt 28: 9, 10

3. Peter – I Cor. 15: 5

4. Disciples on the Emmaus Road – Luke 24:1-53

5. Ten Disciples – Luke 24:1-53

6. Eleven Disciples (with Thomas) – John 20:1-31

7. Seven Disciples by Sea of Galilee – John 21:1-25

8. More than 500 at one time – I Cor. 15: 6

9. Eleven Disciples at Ascension – Matt 28: 16–20

10. Paul on the road to Damascus – Acts 9:1-43

Significance of the Resurrection:

1. Proves that Jesus is the Son of God – Romans 1: 4

2. Confirms the truthfulness of all that He said – Matt 28: 6

3. Shows that God has accepted Jesus’ sacrifice in our stead – Romans 4: 25

4. Makes certain that all will be raised (both saved & unsaved) – I Cor. 15: 20 – 22

5. Guarantees the believer will be raised to everlasting life in close fellowship with God – II Cor. 4: 14

6. Guarantees that there is a coming judgment of the world – Acts 17: 31

7. Grants power for service and strengthens us in the Christian life – Eph. 1: 19 – 22

8. Designates Christ as Head of the Church – Eph. 1: 19 – 23

9. Enables Christ to be our sympathetic High Priest – Hebrews 4: 14 – 16