Summary: A new video depicts the amazing discoveries related to an ancient oil press on the Mount of Olives at the site of Jesus’ anguish at Gethsemane.
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. – Matthew 26:36-37 (ESV)
New Video Provides Insights Into Gethsemane
All four New Testament Gospels mention Jesus and his disciples going out to the base of Mount of Olives the night before his crucifixion where his betrayal and arrest took place. Matthew, Mark, and Luke give a detailed account of Jesus’ anguish and prayer before the arrest. Matthew 26:36 and Mark 14:32 name the place as Gethsemane, a place that has experienced archaeological discoveries in the past and more recently. But what does Gethsemane mean, and how can discovering more about this place inform our understanding of that fateful night?
Last year, we shared a video featuring a remarkable 3D animated model of Herod’s Temple. Now, Daniel Smith’s team at Scripture Central has produced a new video profiling the history and depicting the discovery of an ancient olive press at a site that is almost certainly Gethsemane. This location may have produced oil for anointing as well as for the menorah in the temple. In fact the meaning of Gethsemane is “oil press” which connects to the crushing anguish of Jesus. Christians also note the strong link between this and one of the original commands given regarding the oil used to light the menorah in the tabernacle/temple. Jesus was said to be the light of the world (John 1:4).
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives for the lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly.” – Leviticus 24:1-2
The video goes into the even deeper symbolisms and meanings in play as it accurately illustrates what has been found and how it relates to this significant event.
This Passion Week, as you contemplate the events of over 2,000 years ago, we hope this provocative video provides new insights and helps you to keep thinking.
TOP PHOTO: Painting of Christ in Gethsemane, artist unknown, (Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
