Jesus’ Itineraries in the Light of GIS Research: Three Case Studies

Michał Marciak

Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie , Polska
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1263-222X

Daniel Sobczyński

Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie , Polska
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5918-2553

Bartłomiej Szypuła

Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach , Polska
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1466-0128

Omri Abadi

Uniwersytet Hebrajski w Jerozolimie , Izrael
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7447-4116

Konrad Mróz

Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie , Polska
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4762-5545


Abstrakt

This paper discusses select itineraries known from the Gospels using the tools of Geographic Information Systems and satellite archaeology. As a result, several conclusions on the geohistorical and sociohistorical context are suggested. First, the Roman imperial road from Jericho to Jerusalem covered an earlier ancient road; given the road’s length (29 km) and inclination (6.9 degrees), it entailed a 9-hour travel route unlikely to be undertaken on foot within one day. Second, it appears that travellers between Kh. Qana and Capernaum had two good options for one-day travel in Early Roman times – a topographic route via the valley of Nahal Tsalmon (28 km/7 hours) or a route via the Arbel Valley (30 km/8 hours). Third, the most probable direct route from the Hajlah ford to Kh. Qana led via the vicinity of the Nazareth Range. The travel distance between the Hajlah ford and Kh. Qana amounts to at least 130 km and as such requires five or six full days of travel on foot. Fourth, as for the routes from the northern identifications of the baptism site (Yardenit, Gesher, Makhadet Abara) to Kh. Qana, travel only from Yardenit may be achieved within one long travel day (40 km).

Słowa kluczowe:

Gospels, Jesus of Nazareth, GIS, satellite archaeology, road archaeology, Jericho, Jerusalem



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Opublikowane
2025-07-24


Marciak, M., Sobczyński, D., Szypuła, B., Abadi, O., & Mróz, K. (2025). Jesus’ Itineraries in the Light of GIS Research: Three Case Studies. The Biblical Annals, 15(3), 551–592. https://doi.org/10.31743/ba.18331

Michał Marciak  michal.marciak@uj.edu.pl
Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1263-222X
Daniel Sobczyński 
Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5918-2553
Bartłomiej Szypuła 
Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1466-0128
Omri Abadi 
Uniwersytet Hebrajski w Jerozolimie https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7447-4116
Konrad Mróz 
Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4762-5545



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