Emmaus of Tiberias
See also: Emmaus on the Mountain, Emmaus on the Plain.
Spa resort near Tiberias.
Residents or Natives[edit | edit source]
Appius Fabius, an old drunken debauchee
Description[edit | edit source]
Thermal spa location situated near sulfur springs south of Tiberias, on the lakeshore. It is a place of "scandalous license" visited by a cosmopolitan crowd."They arrive at the thermal baths. A series of white marble buildings, separated by avenues, facing the lake from which they are separated by a kind of large square planted with trees, under which people are taking a walk awaiting a bath or relaxing during its reaction after it. Bronze heads of Medusa, protruding from the wall of a building, pour steaming water into a marble basin, which is white outside and reddish inside, as if it were covered with rusty iron. Many Jews go to the fountains and drink the mineral water out of chalices. I can see Jews only do that in this pavilion. I believe that I am right in guessing that observant Israelites have demanded a place of their own to avoid contact with Gentiles."[1]
Notable Events[edit | edit source]
A collective healing involving Israelites, Romans, and Gentiles. Jesus first preached his universal Doctrine and collected alms on behalf of the beggars.[2]
Its Name[edit | edit source]
Emmaus, Hamat Tiberias, חמת טבריה[3]
(Hot spring)
Where is it mentioned in the work?[edit | edit source]
GRM 462 GRM 488
Learn more about this place[edit | edit source]
The thermal springs of Tiberias have been known since antiquity. They are still found at Hamat Tiberias, 1.6 km south of the city.
These hot springs are rich in natural mineral salts that emerge from a depth of 2,000 meters. These salts are also sold in Israel's pharmacies.
The hot Waters contain large amounts of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, as well as calcium salts, and over the centuries they have cured skin problems and diseases such as rheumatism, arthritis, and gynecological disorders.
The hot baths of Tiberias contributed to the fame of this city built by Herod Antipas about 10 years before Jesus passed there.
Excerpt from the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel According to Maria Valtorta, by Jean-François Lavère:Jesus has just crossed Tiberias and is heading south, towards Tarichea. "Jesus also goes out and He soon joins the apostles. «Let us go along the Emmaus road. Many unhappy people go to the springs, some to be cured, some to receive assistance."[4] The account contains several accurate details. “The smell of sulphurous water stagnates in the air.”[5] "noted" Maria Valtorta, who also notes “[the] steaming water into a marble basin, which is white outside and reddish inside, as if it were covered with rusty iron.”[5]The Apostles are disgusted to approach “these unclean people”,[5] Jesus replies to them: "They are not all unclean, Simon. There are many people from Israel as well among them".[5] A clarification given by the tourist site of the Hamat Tiberias National Park confirms this statement: “The Jewish people were permitted to bathe at Hamat Tiberias, even on Sabbath days.”
Elsewhere, Maria Valtorta hesitates somewhat among all these villages named Emmaus: "I found more than one Emmaus in Judaea, without taking into account the place near Tarichea"[6] she then writes.
Located two kilometers south of Tiberias, these hot springs are mentioned by Pliny[7] (“Tiberias, which has thermal and healthful springs”); by Flavius Josephus;[8] and by the Talmud.
Explore[edit | edit source]
• 32° 45’ 59’’ N / 35° 33’ 00’’ E
• -200m
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
Article partially based on the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel According to Maria Valtorta, by Jean-François Lavère.