The term Holy Land primarily refers to Israel. However, God is not contained within the boundaries of a specific locale. For both Jews and Christians, God interacted with His people throughout the ancient world. Although not technically the Holy Land, many sites significant in the life of the church exist outside Israel. Which is why so many tour groups call everything a “Holy Land” Tour.
So, how far does the Holy Land reach? Egypt and Jordan contain sites significant to the Old Testament. And, Turkey and Greece are significant to the New Testament because of the ministries of Paul and the early Christians.
Understandably, the main focus of Judaism and Christianity is in Jerusalem. So, it’s easy to focus on getting to Israel. The surrounding countries are either luxury vacation spots or third-rate travel destinations for thrill-seekers and the dumb. But these places have much to offer.
Note: All bible verses are linked directly to biblegateway.com.
If it’s not Jerusalem, what’s the point?
Let’s take Mount Precipice, for example. Yes, it’s Israel, but it’s outside Jerusalem. So, it’s a good first step.
Mount Precipice has a fantastic view of the Jezreel Valley. It’s also the traditional location where the people of Nazareth sought to throw Jesus off the cliff, but he escaped. (Luke 4:29-30) An entire sermon could be given there as the sun rises.
From the lookout point, you can see Megiddo, Mount Tabor, Mount Moreh, and the multiple ingress and egress routes into and out of the Jezreel Valley.
Ancient armies looking to conquer the land had to move through the valley and therefore studied its topography. Generals approached it with caution and thought out their movements tactically and strategically.
The Valley is also home to some very rich farmland. The geography shaped the lives, the events, and the history of the Bible. Seeing it for yourself provides you context to better understand what it is that you have been reading.
Another example is Mount Nebo in Jordan. Mount Nebo was the climax of Moses’s life’s work. His final reward (Deut. 34:1-8). When you look out across the Rift Valley and see what Moses saw, the words in Deuteronomy 34 won’t be words anymore; they’ll be a picture in your mind. And on top of that picture will be feelings and sensory reactions.
Ephesus, in Turkey, is another example. It’s one of the largest excavations in the archaeological world. A portion of the site is a big group of houses that were part of a rich neighborhood. The houses had multiple rooms and areas where occupants held gatherings. Which would have been where early Christians held church. When you stand in the middle of the receiving room of Dwelling Unit 6, you’ll instantly visualize how the early Christians gathered.
Two things you’ll learn from a Holy Land tour outside of Israel.
First, you will learn that the places in the Bible exist. One of the strongest arguments in favor of biblical history as fact has been the discovery of ancient locations and artifacts mentioned in the Bible. Jerusalem isn’t the only real city from the Bible; every city was real. And some still exist today.
For example, in Acts 20:13-21:1, Paul departs Assos, skips Ephesus, and arrives in Miletus. All three of these locations have been discovered and uncovered with differing amounts of effort and results. They are all on the coast of the Aegean Sea, and part of the coastal route travelers normally took.
Scholars and historians can’t refute the accuracy of the Biblical geography and the world in which it takes place. Ancient stories and myths, like the Odyssey, can’t say the same thing.
Two, when you stand in the landscape the early Christians stood in, the Bible will come alive. Ephesus is a large site. It can also get crowded. People carrying iPhones, taking pictures, and talking will crowd the main street through the site.
Yes, that’s today. Two thousand years ago, the same street had just as much hustle and bustle to it. Probably more. Different time, different technology. Same atmosphere. When you visit places like Ephesus, you can sense for a moment how Paul blended in when he arrived in the first century.
Turkey.
Your tour through Turkey will start in Istanbul. Formerly known as Constantinople, the city gained its name from the phrase “go to the city,” which translates to “Is stan bul,” in Turkish. Istanbul is the gateway to Europe or Asia, depending on how you look at it.
The significance of Istanbul is that it was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire. Christianity rose to prominence under the rule of Constantine the Emperor. As a result, Istanbul is a great city to understand more how early believers celebrated Christianity. There are some parts of that form of Christianity that modern Christians reject today, but it is still apart of our religious heritage.
In the first century, the land we know as Turkey was called the Roman Province of Galatia. The population was mainly Thracian Greeks who had settled there in the third and fourth century BC. Hence the reason why there was so much Greek influence in the New Testament. It’s also partly why the Greek translation of the Bible, the Septuagint, was written.
Paul traveled and ministered throughout Galatia and Greece. The sites you will find in Turkey are numerous and well kept. Both Greek and Roman cultures influenced these cities and it shows. For example, Greek theaters were built on the sides of hills. Roman theaters were often built as stand-alone structures using arches for support and stability.
Hopefully, your tour group leader has a strong foundation in scripture. And as you move through Turkey, the distinct Greco-Roman culture in front of you will reflect the cultural context of Paul’s ministry.
How The Tour Through Turkey Will Go.
Tour groups typically follow the western coast of Turkey, south to north from Antalya up to Canakkale. Along the way, you will see the ruins at Perge with its Greek city gates and columned city street. Down the center of the street, under the paving stones, is an aqueduct.
Laodicea is a work in progress. The area is large, and a lot has been found, but archaeologists still have much work to do. The Greek theater is recognizable but significantly eroded. The only thing we know of this city is from Paul’s letter to Colossae, where he refers to the believers in Laodicea.
Speaking of Colossae, if you have a good tour group leader, you will stop at the “Tel” at Colossae. It’s simply a large mound right now, but archaeologists already know it is Colossae. They just need to excavate it.
We’ve already talked about Miletus. In the first century, its port was top notch. Today, like many ancient ports, shifting sands have filled it in. Despite this, archaeologists still found the two lion’s heads which marked the entrance to the port.
Priene is a city built on the side of a rocky mount. It has no Biblical significance, except that it corroborates the culture once again. Much of its layout is still intact.
When Archaeologists excavate a site, they the population based on the square footage. According to scholars, Ephesus was home to 200,000 people.
Ephesus and Laodicea are two of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in Revelation. The other five are Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia. Archaeologists excavated all of these sites with varying degrees of magnitude. Philadelphia is the smallest site, as the city of Alaşehir sits in its place today.
Greece.
Traveling through Greece on a Holy Land tour is a little different than Turkey. Greece has suffered economically over the past two decades. The Euro is still strong, but Greece isn’t. So unlike Turkey, your accommodations will not be as pleasant, and the sites aren’t managed well.
Despite this, the sites are still amazing. Particularly Patmos.
The Island of Patmos is where John wrote Revelation. The interesting thing about Patmos is that it’s closer to Turkey than it is to Greece. So, you’ll probably see it as a day excursion during your time in Turkey. Patmos is to Santorini what Reno is to Las Vegas. It’s got the same island vacation vibe, but it’s a slight step down.
A monastery sits next to the cave which has been the traditional location where John wrote his letter. The tour comes with all the bells and whistles, including the hole in the rock where John supposedly rested his head when he slept. Depending on how good your tour guide is, the boat ride could be an hour each way to an all-day affair.
There is so much to Greece other than biblically significant archaeological sites. If you went on your own, it would be tempting to give up and just vacation in Athens or Santorini. So that’s why we want to do Greece on tour. Some of the sites are small but have great significance to our study of Paul’s ministry.
Paul in Greece.
The Via Egnatia was the main highway through the region. The Romans set up rest stops every 10 miles, and larger rest areas every 25 miles. These larger areas eventually turned into cities. Philippi is likely one of these cities.
Philippi is significant because this is where Paul spent time in prison. The spot considered to be the prison was most likely, not the prison. Knowledgeable biblical scholars and historians have noted that the prison would not be that close to a temple or a Roman bath. However, the magistrate’s office has been discovered, which is where Paul would have been brought for transfer.
Thessaloniki is a thriving city, so the site is contained in a city block and has nothing of particular significance. But it’s interesting to say the least.
Metoria is a conglomeration of monasteries perched on top of a forest of natural rock columns. It’s not significant to the New Testament, but it’s a part of Christian heritage. Christian monks lived the monastic life here for centuries, eventually building large compounds on top of the rock columns. At the monastic movement’s peak in the 17th century, there were 24 monasteries.
Delphi has no Biblical significance, but it is well known in ancient Greek history because of the Oracle of Delphi. The Oracle was most likely a release of underground gases. The Pythian games, in which artists and musicians competed for a prize, were held here every four years.
Corinth has a great amount of significance to Christians. The most notable find in the site is a portion of pavement with the name Erastus chiseled into it. Erastus is mentioned in Paul’s letters to the Romans and Timothy. Archaeologists date the stone to the first century.
Of course, no trip to Greece is complete without Athens.
Jordan
Two sites make the trip to Jordan worth it. Mount Nebo and Petra.
We discussed Mount Nebo above. It’s the traditional location where God let Moses gaze upon the Promised Land. It is impossible to pinpoint the exact spot where Moses stood, but you’ll see the same view.
A trip to Mount Nebo will give you the perspective and context of what Moses saw. As you stand there looking out across the Rift valley, take a moment to reflect on what Moses might have felt. Maybe stress and the relief from it? Sadness that he would never get to experience the Promised Land? The joy that he succeeded in getting God’s people to that point?
Petra was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, which rose to prominence by the third century B.C. The Nabateans were wealthy due to their control of trade routes in the region. They traded spices, particularly frankincense and myrrh.
There is much speculation about where the people group originated since most people groups in the region were nomadic. Scholars and historians have determined that the Nabateans did not appear immediately but over several centuries.
One hypothesis is that the Nabateans originated from Yemen. Another hypothesis, which has been championed by author Dwight Longenecker in his book Mystery of the Magi, is that they are former Israelites. His book proposes a reasonable case that the magi in the birth narrative are Nabatean.
Longenecker makes the argument that many Israelites left the Promised Land to escape the Babylonian invasion and ensuing exile. He points out some similarities in culture and religious beliefs. It’s a compelling argument, but not compelling enough to convince scholars.
Egypt.
The Land of Pharaoh certainly has its mark in Biblical History. Egypt can be a difficult country to visit, though. It’s not exactly politically stable right now. Depending on your health and passion for adventure, it might be worth the effort.
Egypt had a significant part in shaping the history of the Israelites. It’s where they were first exiled to. The Israelites spent 400 years in Egypt working as slaves before God sent Moses to lead them out. (the Book of Exodus)
A tour through Egypt will take you to the pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza. These are great once-in-a-lifetime sites to see. There is no Christian significance, except that they provide context to the culture of the people who enslaved God’s people.
The biblical city of Zoan is known as Tanis today. (Num 13:22; Psalm 78:12, 43; Isaiah 19:11, 13 and 30:4; Ezekial 30:14). Again, there is nothing biblically significant about it. Though its name is recognizable because of the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark. Tanis is the city where Indiana Jones finds the Ark of the Covenant.
Tanis is a tour stop because of a few temples and Egyptian religious sites. It’s also on the way to Sinai. There are actually several locations purported to be Mount Sinai. The one you see is probably not THE ONE. But that’s Ok. You’ll get to see the landscape God’s people roamed for forty years.
Your tour may or may not get to Dendera to see the Temple of Hathor. Hathor was an Egyptian goddess. The temple is dated back to around 2,500 BC, roughly a thousand years before Moses lived. The structure and engravings on the walls are in very good condition, which makes the site unique.
Egypt and the Early Christian Church.
In the New Testament, Egypt serves as a haven for Joseph and Mary to keep Jesus away from Herod’s killing spree. In Matthew 2, an Angel of the Lord tells Joseph to leave and go to Egypt. (Matthew 2:13-13).
After Christ’s death and resurrection, His ministry spread both spiritually and physically.
Mark, the author of the gospel of Mark, is considered to have founded the church in Alexandria. The Egyptian city was founded by Alexander the Great. Over the centuries, the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines left their marks on the culture and architecture.
What makes Alexandria significant is that it was home to one of the three bishops of the developing church. The other two located in Rome and Constantinople. The city, and the church, fell out of prominence in the seventh century AD when the Arabs invaded.
The fourth century AD was an interesting time for the church. Constantine came to faith. We also had the Council of Nicea. But in North Africa, we have the prominence of the Bishop of Alexandria, as well as the Desert Fathers.
The Desert Fathers were men who left the city to devote themselves to the monastic life alone. The most notable of these men was Antony.
Antony’s life was “published” in 356 AD by Athanasius, the assistant to the Bishop of Alexandria. (Amazon Link). During an exile from the city earlier in the century, Athanasius met Antony in the desert. He learned of the monastic community and the spiritual warfare they were engaged in.
The monastery of Saint Anthony is located about 30 miles west of Zaafarana, a city along the Red Sea.
