THE CELL UNDER THE HOUSE OF CAIAPHAS

Buried under the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, on the slopes of Mount Zion outside the Old City, lies the House of Caiaphas. Remember him, the High Priest who issued the arrest warrant for Jesus? Deep below the house are caves and one has been converted into a cell.

Archaeologists believe it’s the place where Jesus was held prisoner and whipped before being sent to Pilate. It’s likely here; Peter too was scourged for preaching, as recorded in the Book of Acts. I stood in the cell and imagined….. what have these walls witnessed?

We’ve witnessed much joy in the streets of Jerusalem but many places speak of suffering. Only yesterday the Old City was closed due to the tragic shooting of two Israeli policemen and the wounding of another on the Temple Mount. The three terrorists were gunned down. Only days earlier we walked in that space.