Page 94 - Bible Geography and Near East Studies

In the New Testament, Jericho plays a prominent role in the Gospels. Jesus visited the city many times,
usually as a way station as he traveled to and from Jerusalem. He met Zacchaeus in Jericho and healed a
blind man named Bartimaeus there.

How Biblical geography helps us read Scripture
As the story of Jesus meeting Zacchaeus begins (Luke 19:1), we read that Jesus “entered Jericho and was passing through.”
On the same visit, we learn that Jesus healed two blind men as he was leaving Jericho (Matthew 20:29-34).

Luke, however, says Jesus healed a blind man as he was entering Jericho (Luke 18:35). Critics point to these passages as
examples of “errors” in the New Testament. Was it one blind man, or two? Did Jesus heal the blind man/men as he entered
the city or as he left Jericho?

Jericho in the time of Jesus was two cities in one. “Lower Jericho” was the older city where Zacchaeus would have lived and
worked (marked by the red box in this photo). Modern-day Jericho (marked by the yellow box) is what would have been
“Lower Jericho” when Jesus was alive. “Upper Jericho” was a new resort built by Herod the Great and many of the wealthiest
rulers in Jerusalem. Archaeological work uncovering the resort community is marked in this photography by the red boxes.
In short, it is possible that Jesus healed one blind man on his way into Jericho, had his memorable visit with Zacchaeus at
midday, and healed two blind men as he left Lower Jericho and entered Upper Jericho. Though we don’t know all the details
of these events, instead of proving “errors” in the biblical narrative, the lay of the land and archaeological discoveries actually
support a case for biblical historicity in these passages.

Herod the Great built a resort community in Jericho that came to be known as “Upper Jericho.” The
wealthiest and most powerful people in Jerusalem had homes in Upper Jericho. Archaeological work
currently underway is uncovering great palaces, swimming pools, and sports stadiums in the area. As
Jesus and tens of thousands of common travelers passed by Upper Jericho on their way to Jerusalem,
they would have seen the richly decorated and well-watered resort. Among those who had vacation
homes in the area were the high priests of the Temple. Only by cooperating with the Romans and
participating in unethical practices could a priest possibly afford such a vacation home. These were the
chief priests who drew the ire of John the Baptizer and Jesus alike.

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