Jerusalem

The holy city sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, situated in the Judean hills. Jerusalem served as ancient Israel’s political and spiritual capital, the site of the Temple where God dwelt among His people, the location of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, and the destination of Muhammad’s Night Journey. No city in history carries greater religious significance.

David conquered the Jebusite fortress city around 1000 BCE, establishing it as his capital and bringing the Ark of the Covenant there (2 Samuel 5-6). His son Solomon built the First Temple on Mount Moriah—traditionally identified as where Abraham offered Isaac—making Jerusalem the permanent dwelling place of God’s presence (Shekinah glory). The city became the destination of three annual pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) and the focal point of Jewish worship and identity.

Jerusalem suffered catastrophic destructions that shaped Jewish theology. The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the First Temple in 586 BCE, exiling the population and ending the Davidic monarchy (2 Chronicles 36:15-21). After 70 years, returnees rebuilt the Temple under Zerubbabel and later Herod the Great, but in 70 CE, Rome destroyed the Second Temple following the Jewish revolt. Only the Western Wall remains, Judaism’s holiest site today. The fast of Tisha B’Av commemorates both destructions.

For Christians, Jerusalem is where Jesus taught in the Temple, celebrated the Last Supper, was crucified on Golgotha, buried in Joseph’s tomb, and rose from the dead on the third day (Matthew 27-28). The resurrected Christ appeared to disciples in Jerusalem’s upper room (John 20:19-29), and from the Mount of Olives, he ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Ten days later, the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost in Jerusalem, birthing the church (Acts 2:1-4). The city thus witnessed the central events of Christian salvation history.

In Islam, Jerusalem (Al-Quds, “The Holy”) is the third holiest city after Mecca and Medina. According to tradition, Muhammad made his Night Journey (Isra and Mi’raj) from Mecca to “the farthest mosque” (Al-Aqsa), ascending to heaven from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount (Quran 17:1). Muslims initially prayed toward Jerusalem before the direction changed to Mecca. The Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, built on the Temple Mount in the 7th century, mark Islam’s connection to the site.