Location
Overview
The Mount of Olives is a ridge of three summits just east of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley. It frames many of the most solemn moments of Jesus' final days and his return.
David's sorrow and Zechariah's prophecy
David climbed it weeping as he fled Absalom (2 Samuel 15:30). The prophet Zechariah foresaw the day when the LORD's feet "shall stand... upon the mount of Olives" and it shall be split in two (Zechariah 14:4).
Jesus on the mount
From the Mount of Olives Jesus began his triumphal entry (Mark 11:1), wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:37–41), and delivered the Olivet Discourse on the last things (Matthew 24:3). At its foot, in the garden of Gethsemane, he prayed in agony and was betrayed (Luke 22:39–47).
The Ascension
It was from the Mount of Olives that Jesus was taken up into heaven, the angels promising he would return "in like manner" — the disciples then returning to Jerusalem from "the mount called Olivet" (Acts 1:9–12).
Events Here
Jesus delivers the Olivet Discourse
Jesus prays in agony in Gethsemane and is betrayed
Jesus ascends into heaven from the Mount of Olives
Scripture References
13 verses2 Samuel1 verse
2 Samuel 15:30
And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. and wept: Heb. going up and weeping
Zechariah1 verse
Zechariah 14:4
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
Matthew3 verses
Matthew 21:1
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
Matthew 24:3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Matthew 26:30
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. hymn: or, psalm
Mark3 verses
Mark 11:1
And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
Mark 13:3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mark 14:26
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. hymn: or, psalm
Luke4 verses
Luke 19:29
And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
Luke 19:37
And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
Luke 21:37
And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
Luke 22:39
And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
Acts1 verse
Acts 1:12
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
Archaeology & History
The Mount of Olives has been a Jewish burial ground for some three thousand years and is dotted with churches commemorating the gospel events — Gethsemane with its ancient olive trees, Dominus Flevit ("the Lord wept"), and the traditional site of the Ascension at its summit.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Mount of Olives
Where is Mount of Olives today?
Today, Mount of Olives corresponds to Mount of Olives, East Jerusalem.
What does the name Mount of Olives mean?
The name Mount of Olives means “Mount of olive trees”.
What happened at Mount of Olives in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Mount of Olives include jesus delivers the olivet discourse; jesus prays in agony in gethsemane and is betrayed; jesus ascends into heaven from the mount of olives.
Where is Mount of Olives first mentioned in the Bible?
Mount of Olives is first mentioned in 2 Samuel 15:30.
How often is Mount of Olives mentioned in the Bible?
Mount of Olives is mentioned in 13 verses across 6 books: 2 Samuel, Zechariah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts.
What happened on the Mount of Olives?
Jesus taught the Olivet Discourse there, prayed in agony in Gethsemane at its foot before his arrest, and ascended into heaven from it after his resurrection.
Where is the Mount of Olives?
It is a ridge immediately east of the Old City of Jerusalem, separated from the Temple Mount by the Kidron Valley.