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Sermon on Mount The
so-called "Sermon on the Mount" is recorded in Matthew 5-7 and
Luke 6. The alleged discrepancy between Matthew's version being on
a hill and Luke's being on a level place is easily reconciled with
observation of many level places on the Galilean hillsides.
Scripture gives no indication of the exact location of this event, but
the Byzantines built a church to commemorate it at the bottom of the
hill. Some of Napoleon's men placed it on the nearby Arbel
mountain. |
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Central Location The
suggestion of this hill for the location of the Sermon on the Mount is a
good one. Once known as Mt. Eremos, this hill is located between Capernaum
and Tabgha and is just above the "Cove
of the Sower." This spacious hillside provides much room for
crowds to gather, as evidenced by preparation for 100,000 Catholics to
observe mass nearby with the Pope's visit in March 2000 (it rained and
fewer came, but the space was available). |
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Chapel The
mountain is topped by a Catholic chapel built in 1939 by the Franciscan
Sisters with the support of the Italian ruler Mussolini. The
building which was constructed by the noted architect Antonio Barluzzi is full of
numerical symbolism. In front of the church, the symbols on the
pavement represent Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, Charity, Faith and
Temperance. Inside the church hangs the cloak from Pope Paul VI's
visit in 1964. |
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The Beatitudes "Blessed
are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are
the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which
do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are
the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the
peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are
they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you
falsely, for my sake" (Matt 5:3-11 KJV). |
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Plain of Gennesaret The
Mt. of Beatitudes overlooks the four-mile long Plain of Gennesaret, an
area famed for its fertility. Josephus said this plain was the
location of "nature's crowning achievement." Several times
the New Testament records that Jesus was in this area including when he
healed the multitudes here and faced Pharisaic condemnation for ritual
impurity (Mark 6-7). |
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Related Websites
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At BiblePlaces.com, see the related sites of
Sea of Galilee, Bethsaida,
Capernaum, Chorazin,
Cove of the Sower, and Tabgha.
Mount
of Beatitudes (Christian Travel Study Program) Limited
text and photos.
Mount
of Beatitudes (Catholic Encyclopedia) Extensive
article, but locates the sermon at the Horns of Hattin.
Mount
of Beatitudes (Bridges for Peace) Acknowledges
throughout the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, drawing parallels
between the Beatitudes and Old Testament teachings.
Homily
to Youth on Mount of Beatitudes, Pope John Paul II, March 24, 2000 (Catholic
Information Network) Original text.
Mount
of the Beatitudes (Travel Experience International)
Photo by Zola Levitt.
Mount
of Beatitudes (Personal Page) A picturesque description
of one man's visit.
Mount
of Beatitudes (Virtual Travels, Personal Israel Diary) Lessons
from another sojourner.
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