“And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet.” (Luke 21:37)

“And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet.” (Luke 21:37)

The Mount of Olives, sometimes referred to as “Olivet,” is a ridge running along the east side of Jerusalem, separated from the city walls by a ravine and the brook of Kidron. 

The Mount of Olives was the site of many biblical events, and it was quite “usual” for Jesus to go and sleep there when in the vicinity of Jerusalem. Every time Jesus visited Lazarus and Mary and Martha, He was on the Mount of Olives, for their village of Bethany was situated on the eastern slope. The road from Bethany to Jerusalem lay over Olivet.

During the week of His passion,  on the night in which He was betrayed, that evening began with the Last Supper in Jerusalem and ended in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. Gethsemane literally means, “oil-press.” It was here that Jesus prayed fervently and yet, was arrested and taken away by force,

After our His trials, Crucifixion, and Resurrection, Jesus once again stood on the Mount of Olives, yet this time to Ascent into heaven and return to the Father, but to also prepare a place for us who believe in Him.

Fr. John