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83. Returns to Jerusalem for Hanukkah; escapes stoning in the temple   Site information: Jerusalem - Hulda Gates Excavations of recent years have unearthed amazing structures related to the second temple in the south-east side of the temple mount, including the flight of stairs leading to the temple, the gates that led to the temple, and ritual baths, cisterns, residential houses and fortifications. One of the most important findings of the Southern wall excavations is the monumental flight of steps leading up to the second (Herodian) temple mount, through the Hulda gates. The staircase consists of 15 pairs of alternating broad and narrow steps. Although most of the steps were reconstructed, this is one of the remains of the southern entrance. A closer look on the stairs is seen above, with Mount of Olives on the background. The steps are arranged in a pattern of broad-narrow step, probably intentionally in order to force the climbing visitor to the temple to look down in order to follow the steps - thus seeming to bow to the holiness of the great temple. On these steps Jesus entered to the temple. It is one of the most certain sites that Jesus has been: the staircase existed in his times and was used by the visitors to the temple for entry and exit. For more info on Hulda Gates and the staircase - click here. Biblical References: Jn 10:22: "And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand",
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