louis

28 Mar 2016 • 154 views
 
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photoblog image Temptation in the desert
Temptation in the desert|

Temptation in the desert

 

The Mount of Temptation (Mount Quarantania) is said to be the hill in the Judaean Desert where Jesus fasted for 40 days in a cave and then was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:8). This followed His baptism, when God proclaimed Him to be His Son (the first time as an adult, that Jesus was clearly pointed out to be the saviour that Israel was expecting).

 

The exact location of the cave is unknown and impossible to determine. It is generally identified with Mount Quarantania, towering from the northwest over the town of Jericho in the West Bank. This picture was taken from within the present town of Jericho towards the mount.

 

To the left of the mount you can see the longish white Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Temptation or "Deir al-Qarantal" in Arabic. The monastry is to claimed to be built over the cave where Jesus fasted. You can just make out the path we climbed to the monastry, from the edge of the town. The darker building, almost in the middle of the mount is the top station of a cable car that was built in expectation of crowds that visited in the year 2000. 

 

Above Qarantal, on top of the mount, is a modern wall that sits on the ruins of the Hasmonean (later Herodian) fortress Dok or Duq. The modern wall was built at the end of the 19th century when the Greek Orthodox hoped to raise another monastery on the top of the mount but ran out of money.

 

 

comments (14)

Quite a story... how they can say for certain about Jesus's location is beyond me, though...
Louis: The Biblical reference is that He was lead by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness (being the desert) where He lived with a cave as a base and ate very little. Indeed, that one could make it a specific cave in exactly this mountain, is a bit dicey. There are many caves in these limestone ridges, hills and mountains - in fact, you can see some to the left in this picture. What I take away from this visit, is an understanding of what the word 'wilderness' entails. I will still show more shots that gives a better idea of the bleakness of the landscape.
  • Ray
  • Thailand
  • 28 Mar 2016, 01:46
I especially like its flat top, Louis.
Louis: A colossal monument to a folly, Ray.
  • Chris
  • England
  • 28 Mar 2016, 08:05
It's so interesting to see these places I've heard about but never seen before Louis
Louis: And so it was for me, too, Chris.
  • Lisl
  • England
  • 28 Mar 2016, 08:12
I always imagined that Christ's temptation was in a flat sandy desert, Louis. I obviously didn't read my Bible carefully
Louis: Not a lot wrong with your reading skills, Lisl. The Biblical reference is that He was lead by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness (being the desert) where He lived with a cave as a base and ate very little. This mount is in the desert, but there are caves all over the desert and at all levels.
Once again, Louis, this is so educational!
Louis: Quite so, Ginnie.
If it is the right place then it has a huge significance. Even if it isn't then as long as people believe it is they will be in awe
Louis: I guess some people need somewhere to go. For me it is good enough to know what the desert that is referred to, looks like.
Thank you for sharing this mystical image and story Louis!
Louis: It is my pleasure, Richard.
It is so interesting to see these places Louis. On our 'day trip' from Cyprus we did not get to see very much at all. This mountain looks almost white,
Louis: The mountain is mostly limestone, as is the rest of the desert. Very bleak.
Looks very dry and dust for walking but you did it.
Louis: The visit to Israel was a very active one. Lots of walking and climbing.
Like Lisl I'd also imagined the event was in a desert area. I wonder why, in many lands, monasteries were built on the tops of mountains?
Louis: The Biblical reference is that He was lead by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness (being the desert) where He lived with a cave as a base and ate very little. Indeed, that one could make it a specific cave in exactly this mountain, is a bit dicey. There are many caves in these limestone ridges, hills and mountains - in fact, you can see some to the left in this picture. What I take away from this visit, is an understanding of what the word 'wilderness' entails. I will still show more shots that gives a better idea of the bleakness of the landscape.

Building on mountains probably only increased the sense of isolation. Monks wants to live away from it all, often in a hermetic style.
that is quite a view and quite an account.
Louis: Thank you Ayush.
  • Astrid
  • Netherlands
  • 28 Mar 2016, 14:26
There is so much to see on that mountain. Those building 'hanging' there, I bet the view from the top must be incredible.
Wonderful picture.
Louis: Thank you Astrid. A great view indeed.
  • Philine
  • Germany
  • 28 Mar 2016, 14:46
We are near Jericho - I don't remember a building at the top of the mountain. I admire your educative information.
Louis: One can only see the building from far away. When you are near to the mountain, the top is hidden from view.
Looks as though there could be quite a lot of caves!
Louis: There are a lot of them, Tom.

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