An alternate possibility for a last part of the ministry
The location of Gethsemane?
Before I begin about the 2 possible locations of Gethsemane, let me point out that this falls in the category of unimportance-- hardly even a pebble in what this work is about, like as how long Jesus' ministry was. Fact is, I once pointed out that it's feasible that Jesus ministry was 1.25 years in duration, based partly on the sequence of the Feasts mentioned, but also on the number of topics (something like 250 spread out over the 440 days). I deleted some pages I had made, & make no farther farther mention of it:
- somewhat because of various comments made, like "he's majoring in minors" & "he's answering questions that aren't being asked"-- some times to the point of mentioning the "reality" every time we met, for the express purpose of argument & belittlement;
- but mostly because along about that time I discovered the very last verse in all the gospels: Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. I emphasize books, because I had been recently informed, & subsequently dismissed it, that John (John 20:30) commented about his particular gospel book: Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. I dismissed it because I thought it was well-known that for-the-most-part Matthew, Mark & Luke cover his ministry among the Gentiles, whereas John often elaborates only on what took place in Judea.
Anyway, I abandoned that since to some it appeared it was a major point in the work. I only mention it now because I'm sure some will get ruffles because I dare consider the location of Gethsemane.
Now I've only found 1 map that has Gethsemane located SE of Jerusalem, in what is now known as Lower Jerusalem (i.e., west of the Kidron Valley). Most maps have it located NE of Jerusalem, on the northern slope of the Mount of Olives (i.e, east of the Kidron Valley). But the end of Ministry Itin'ry reflects that Gethsemane was located SE of Jerusalem (i.e., west of the Kidron Valley)-- why? Because Matthew, Mark & Luke have Jesus quickly going from the Lord's Supper in Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley, to the Mount of Olives followed by going to Gethsemane. Whereas John does not mention his going to the Mt. of Olives to do the teachings & praying-- but I've presumed it. After all, the Lord's Supper is covered in John 13; after that 3 chapters cover 6 teachings & 1 chapter covers 3 prayers mentioned only in John. Not until John 18:1 do we have, When He had finished praying, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove (following this is the betrayal & arrest). In order for Matthew, Mark, Luke & John to line up, Gethsemane seemingly must be located SE of Jerusalem (i.e., west of the Kidron Valley).
However, the objective of the above is to point out there is another possible location for Gethsemane-- the commonly placed location, on the northern slope of the Mt. of Olives. The problem(?) with that-- it requires that all those teachings & prayers were done in 1 night (following the feet-washing & the Lord's Supper). But that may not be so far-fetched; there were 6 teachings & 3 prayers in what-- 2 hours!