Jerusalem is one of the most important cities in the Bible and has deep spiritual and historical significance. The city is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible, more than any other place. Jerusalem was the capital of ancient Israel and Judah and housed the Jewish temple. It’s a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Understanding Jerusalem’s biblical history and spiritual meaning is key to unlocking many parts of Scripture.
The first mention of Jerusalem in the Bible is in Joshua 10:1, where it is called Jebus and inhabited by the Jebusites. After the Israelites conquered Canaan, Jerusalem fell under the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18:28). However, the Jebusites retained control of the city until King David captured it and made it his capital (2 Samuel 5:6-9). David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and wanted to build a temple there, but God told him that his son Solomon would construct the temple (1 Chronicles 22:7-10).
King Solomon built the first Jewish temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6), establishing it as the central place of worship in Israel. The temple represented God’s presence with His people and helped unify the kingdom of Israel. It became the destination for annual pilgrimages and sacrifices by the Jewish people. The temple solidified Jerusalem’s importance as the political and spiritual capital of the nation.
However, Jerusalem’s favored status did not last. After Solomon’s reign, Israel divided into two kingdoms – Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Jerusalem remained the capital of Judah while Israel setup rival centers of worship in the north. In 587 BC, the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple, forcing many Jews into exile (2 Kings 25:1-21). This began a period known as the Babylonian captivity.
After 70 years of exile, Jews returned to Jerusalem under leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah to rebuild the city and temple (Ezra-Nehemiah). But Jerusalem continued to change hands under various empires like the Greeks and Romans. In the 2nd century BC, the Seleucid king Antiochus IV defiled the temple, sparking the Maccabean revolt. The Jews rededicated the temple in 164 BC – an event commemorated in the festival of Hanukkah.
The temple was significantly expanded and rebuilt by Herod the Great in the 1st century BC. It was the center of Jewish life and religion in Jerusalem during Jesus’ day. Jesus frequently taught in the temple courts (Luke 19:47), drove out the money changers (Matthew 21:12), and prophesied about the coming destruction of the temple (Matthew 24:1-2).
In 70 AD, the Romans sacked Jerusalem and destroyed Herod’s temple – just as Jesus had predicted. This ended the temple sacrifices and began the Jewish Diaspora. However, a portion of the Western Wall, also called the Wailing Wall, remained intact and became an important pilgrimage site for Jews.
After quashing Jewish revolts, the Romans renamed Jerusalem “Aelia Capitolina” and banned Jews from entering. Access was restored in 313 AD after Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire. Helena, Constantine’s mother, visited Jerusalem and directed the demolition of pagan temples on the Temple Mount.
As Christianity spread, Jerusalem became an important site for churches and monasteries. Persians overtook Jerusalem in 614 AD, damaging many Christian sites, but were defeated by Byzantine forces in 628 AD. However, in 638 AD Jerusalem fell to Muslim armies, and the Dome of the Rock shrine was built on the Temple Mount. The al-Aqsa Mosque was also later added. Under Islamic rule, Jews and Christians were considered protected peoples, but non-Muslims could not set foot on the Temple Mount.
The Crusades brought Jerusalem under Christian control between 1099-1187 AD when it fell to the Muslim commander Saladin. Jerusalem underwent changes over the centuries under both Ottoman and British control. Finally, the modern state of Israel was declared in 1948. After the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Israel gained control of the eastern portion of Jerusalem.
Today, the “Old City” of Jerusalem retains major sites sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims: The Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Dome of the Rock, and al-Aqsa Mosque. Other key sites outside the Old City walls include the Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Pool of Bethesda, and Upper Room. Archaeological digs continue to uncover Jerusalem’s rich history.
Now, what does this all mean spiritually? Why is Jerusalem so central to biblical faith?
First, Jerusalem was the seat of God’s presence and glory in the temple. The temple represented His dwelling with the people of Israel (1 Kings 8:10-13). When the ark was brought to Jerusalem, it was coming to its resting place (Psalm 132:13-14). The temple was the center of Jewish worship through sacrifices and offerings. Three times a year all Jewish men were commanded to travel to Jerusalem and celebrate feasts like Passover at the temple.
Second, Jerusalem was tied to the identity and mission of Israel. As home to the temple, Jerusalem showed that Israel was chosen by God and set apart from the nations. He dwelt in the midst of His people there. Going up to Jerusalem for feasts united and strengthened Israel’s national identity. The temple also attracted people from many nations to come worship Israel’s God.
Third, Jerusalem was the subject of Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah and Kingdom of God. The temple would be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7). God’s glory would once again fill a new temple not built by human hands (Haggai 2:7, 9). The Messiah would come suddenly to this temple (Malachi 3:1). He would bring true peace and justice to Jerusalem, which is still named “the Lord our Righteous Savior” (Jeremiah 33:16).
Fourth, Jerusalem was where Jesus carried out key events in His earthly ministry. He was dedicated at the temple as a child and later amazed the teachers with His wisdom there (Luke 2:22-52). During Passion Week, Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph, cleansed the temple, and predicted its destruction. He shared the Last Supper with His disciples and was arrested in Gethsemane outside Jerusalem. Jesus was crucified nearby at Golgotha and rose from the dead just outside the city.
Fifth, Jerusalem became the birthplace of the Christian church at Pentecost (Acts 2) and the location of the first church council (Acts 15). The apostles initially centered their ministry there before taking the gospel global. Gentiles were welcomed into the predominantly Jewish church in Jerusalem.
Finally, the New Testament presents Jerusalem as a symbol of heavenly realities. The earthly Jerusalem leads us to look for the true, eternal city designed by God (Hebrews 11:10; 12:22). When Jesus returns, Scripture promises that the New Jerusalem will descend to earth from heaven as the city of God (Revelation 3:12; 21:2). There we will dwell with Christ forever.
In summary, Jerusalem occupies a central place in the biblical story of salvation history. It was the political and spiritual capital of Israel and epicenter of temple worship. Key events in the life of Jesus happened there. The gospel spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. And Jerusalem ultimately represents our eternal hope in Christ. That is why this ancient Middle Eastern city remains holy ground for Christians worldwide.
