Jesus in History

Have you ever wanted to visit the places where Jesus walked and ministered? Are you interested in the religious customs of the Jewish people? Then come and explore . . .

Facts About Israel: History: Highlights The birthplace of the Jewish people—and of Jesus—is the land we now know as Israel. Here, on a Web page maintained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Israel, you will find a timeline of the history of Israel from biblical times to the present. A click on any of the highlighted headings in the timeline will bring you directly to an article about that period in Israel’s history.

The Romans We know that the Romans ruled over Israel in the time of Jesus. But who were they? What were they like? How did they live their lives and govern their vast empire? At this Web site, designed by educators at the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) specifically for young people, you and your students can explore a wealth of useful background information, “fun facts,” and kid-friendly activities relating to the Romans and their world.

Papal Visit To Israel—The Holy Land: Sites In March 2000 Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to Israel. Here you can learn more about many of the places the pope visited on his history-making journey: 

Virtual Seder Plate Many biblical scholars believe that the Last Supper was, in fact, a Passover seder. But exactly what is a seder? From Congregation Beth Chaim in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, comes an interactive look at this widely observed and beloved Jewish observance, the centerpiece of which is the seder plate. Click on any part of the virtual seder plate to learn about the history, the symbols, and the importance of the Passover meal.

Crèches International At Christmas we celebrate the Birth of Jesus. All over the world, Christians recall this event by displaying a crèche—also called a crib, manger scene, or nativity set—in their homes and churches. At this site, maintained by the Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton, you will find images of crèches from around the world, each one a window into the customs and traditions of the country in which it was made.

Photo (c)2001 Cerveny. Used with permission.