David’s Tower (Jerusalem)
Citadel of Jerusalem, built by Herod and known as the "Tower of David"[1].
Description
One evening, at Gethsemane, after sending away the other Apostles, Jesus questions Simon the Zealot (Apostle):"You said, Simon, that Lazarus sent you Isaac with Maximin today, while I was near the Tower of David. What did he want? - He wanted to tell you that Nicodemus is at his house and that he wanted to speak to you in secret. I took the liberty to say: ‘Let him come. The Master will wait for him during the night’ [2]".The ensuing meeting is reported by Saint John[3]. But what about the Tower of David mentioned here? A clue may be given by a dialogue between Jesus and John, Judas, and Simon, as they have just left the Temple and are heading to Bethlehem.
"We are not far from the Tower of David. (…) we are going to Bethlehem, (…) Let us go around Herod’s palace."[4]
Its name
This name "Tower of David" is improperly applied to the Phasaël Tower and, by extension, to the entire citadel.
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 72 EMV 116
Learn more about this place
The Tower of David today is the name given to the citadel located at the western corner of the Old City, a few meters south of the Jaffa Gate. One of the towers, built by Herod, has survived the ravages of time. This "Tower of David" is incorporated into the fortifications of the current citadel. Its name likely results from a mistaken identification of this structure by Christian pilgrims during the Byzantine period, as Flavius Josephus called the southwestern hill of Jerusalem the citadel of King David[5].
According to Maria Valtorta, this designation is contemporary with Jesus. Therefore, it is either an anachronism or a historical indication: Herod’s citadel may have been built on the site of a fortification of King David. Indeed, at this location, the elevation is higher than that of the Temple Mount and dominates the whole city, protecting its western access. It may also be the popular nickname of the monument.
Explore
- 31° 46’ 33’’ N / 35° 13’ 40’’ E /
- +780m
Notes and references
- ↑ Article partially written based on the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel, J.-F. LAVÈRE.
- ↑ EMV 116.4.
- ↑ John 3:1-21.
- ↑ EMV 72.6.
- ↑ Flavius Josephus, The Jewish War V, 3, 1.