The Final Days of Jesus

“No one knows more about the history and archaeology of ancient Jerusalem than Shimon Gibson.... This book is destined to become the standard in the field.” — Prof. James D. Tabor, author of The Jesus Dynasty A world renowned archaeologist reveals the historic footprint of Jesus in Jerusalem and what really happened during the final days. Fans of Elaine Pagels and of John Dominic Crossan and Marcus J. Borg’s The Last Week will find a wealth of new information in The Final Days of Jesus, the first book of its kind to present a detailed archaeological footprint of Jesus. But what can rigorous, scientific archaeology truly tell us about these final, fateful days? First-Century Jerusalem: Walk the streets of a city dominated by Herod’s Temple, from the purification pools of Siloam and Bethesda to the gates of Pontius Pilate’s palace. The Place of the Trial: Follow the evidence to a newly identified location for the trial before Pontius Pilate—a spot thousands of visitors pass by today without realizing its significance. Crucifixion: The Archaeological Evidence: Examine the only known physical remains of a crucified man from the first century and understand what this grim discovery reveals about Jesus’s final hours. The Empty Tomb: Investigate the original rock-cut tomb beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the clues it holds about the events of that Sunday morning.