David hid from Saul in the caves of Adullum (1 Samuel 22:1-2). We don’t know which caves David chose for his hiding places, but these photos from the area will help you see why he felt secure there. David wrote Psalm 34 during this season of his life. Psalms 57 and 142 were also written while he was hiding in caves. En Gedi is another potential location of the writing of David’s “in-the-cave” psalms.

There are so many ruins from the biblical time period in Israel, it’s impossible to see them all. Here’s an example of an ancient Roman road that lies next to a modern highway in the heart of Judah, not far from Bet Shemesh.

David fought Goliath between Sokoh and Azekah in the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:1-2).

Want to fly over this tel and see the most famous battles in history? Click here!

Perched on the edge of the Negev Desert, Beersheva was the ancient home of Abraham for many years (Genesis 21-22). The ruins of that community lie within sight of modern-day Beersheva, the eighth largest city in Israel.

The road leading from Jericho up to Jerusalem will take you through the stunning landscape of the Benjamin Desert. South of the highway you’ll find the Judean Wilderness.

Want to see amazing drone photography that follows the ancient road through this land? Click here!

Located in the southern part of Judah, Bet Guvrin became home in the Second Century AD to a Roman gladiatorial arena.

Bet She’an guards the intersection of the Jezreel and Jordan River valleys. The bodies of Saul and his sons were hung on the walls of ancient Bet She’an (1 Samuel 31). Look for the large, grass-covered tel (hill) for that location. Jesus would have known the Greek and Roman versions of the city, which was spread out on the ground below the ancient tel. Of the original 10 cities of Alexander’s Decapolis, Bet She’an is the only such town west of the Jordan River.

Bet Shemesh (“House of the sun”) played key roles in Joshua’s military campaigns and in the constant fighting between the Philistines and Israelites. Samson also grew up overlooking the Sorek Valley. Bet Shemesh guarded the Sorek, making it an important military fortress.

The traditional location of the birth of Jesus, the Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest churches in the world. Looking for the exact location of where Jesus was born, according to tradition? Star marks the spot!

This relatively new church is next door to the Church of the Nativity. The value of these photos includes visiting the cave below the main level. Unlike the Church of the Nativity, the rocky environment of the caves below both churches is not covered up. If Jesus was born in this general location, as tradition says happened, then he was born in a converted cave!

Bethlehem of Judea (“House of bread”) was home to Ruth and Boaz and King David. It was also the birthplace of Jesus. Today the city is large and crowded.

Looking for a great angle on the Christmas story? The Herodium - the favorite home of Herod the Great - stood just three miles from Bethlehem. It towered over the birthplace of Jesus! Click here to see our amazing drone footage, or here to see the free photos.

Shepherds are still keeping watch over the flocks near Bethlehem. These photos were taken in the spring. By May, most of this grass will have turned brown from a lack of water. Typically, it only rains here in the winter months.

There is debate over where biblical Bethsaida is. These ruins have long been connected with the birthplace of Simon Peter, Andrew and Philip (John 1:44). Jesus healed a blind man in Bethsaida. He also fed large crowds with a very small amount of food near this location. In recent years, excavation of another collection of ruins have been discovered closer to the Sea of Galilee. If those ruins prove to be the Bethsaida of Simon’s hometown, these images will still connect people with the simple lives most people in the Galilee knew.

Caesarea Maritima (by the Sea) is one of the most remarkable ancient cities you’ll find anywhere in the lands of the Bible. Appearing only in the book of Acts, this is a city visited by Philip the Evangelist (Acts 8:40) and Simon Peter (Acts 10). Paul began or ended some of his missionary journeys from this port city and was held prisoner here for two years (Acts 24:27). This city was four times larger than Jerusalem during the New Testament era and is different from Caesarea Philippi, a much smaller, pagan community Jesus once visited (Matthew 16).

Called Banias before and after the New Testament era, this is where Jesus famously proclaimed the “Gates of Hades” would not prevail against his church (Matthew 16:13-28). Study the amazing history of this place and you’ll find that the cave in the cliff was once called the “Gates of Hades.”

The base of ministry for Jesus, Capernaum saw an amazing number of miracles and heard the world’s best sermons. Little wonder the synagogue ruins in this village compose the largest synagogue ever found in Israel.

The pagan city of Dan is in the northernmost reaches of Israel. The Bible often speaks of “from Dan to Beersheba” to represent the entire stretch of God’s people. The tribe of Dan left their assigned home and murderously took this community from a peaceful people (Judges 18). The history of the place went downhill from there. King Jeroboam placed a golden calf at Dan (1 Kings 12:29) after the united kingdom suffered a split. The altar and high place where that idol once stood is visible today.

The largest body of water in Israel, the Dead Sea is eight times saltier than the average ocean. At more than 1,400 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is also situated at the lowest place on earth. The eastern shoreline of the 40-mile-long lake marks the bottom of the Judean Wilderness.

Flash floods in the desert are a fairly common occurrence in Israel. Be sure to take in the video compilation of flash floods we’re prepared for you. Jesus used these floods as his closing illustration in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:24-27). The video compilation is a free download!

Overlooking the Valley of Elah, this fortress may have protected Saul and his frightened troops as Goliath and the Philistines taunted Israel for 40 days (1 Samuel 17:16). This is likely the site of Shaaraim (“two gates”) mentioned in 1 Samuel 17:52. Our drone flyover of this site will put the two gates in the same frames for you.

David once defeated Goliath in the Elah Valley (1 Samuel 17:1-3). The valley begins at the coastal plain of Israel and winds its way nearly to Jerusalem. Gaining control of the valley, therefore, was critically important for the mountain-dwelling Israelites and the encroaching Philistines. It was a natural battlefield for the two forces to meet.

En Gedi is an oasis in the Judean Wilderness. David once hid here from Saul (1 Samuel 24), and it’s easy to see why!

Tucked in a valley deep inside the Benjamin Desert is a delightful oasis. Watered by the River Pratt, this nature reserve provides a delightful setting for images of good shepherds caring for the needs of their sheep.

Gamla isn’t mentioned in the New Testament, even though it has an incredible history during that time period. The synagogue ruins in this community are amazing. While we don’t know if Jesus ever spoke in this synagogue, it’s fairly close to the Sea of Galilee and the area where many of the miracles happened. The writers of the Gospels tell us that Jesus visited (Matthew 4:23, 9:35) many towns in the Galilee, almost always teaching in their synagogues.

Gath was the hometown of Goliath. Ironically, it was also a community where David sought work! In time, David conquered the city, as did Hezekiah. Gath is on the coastal plain and was a guardian fortress of the intercontinental coastal highway that connected Africa, Asia and Europe.

Ancient Gezer was an important boundary city on the edge of the coastal plain and the hill country (Shephelah). At times it was held by the Israelites and at other times, by the Philistines or another pagan group. The standing stones of Gezer are probably associated with one of the pagan religions that once dominated the area.

Hatzor guarded the Hula Valley, home to the major highway connecting Israel with the Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian empires. Joshua once captured this city, burning it to the ground (Joshua 11:11). Burned stones from the Joshua era are part of the footage included here. To learn more about the ruins of this city, watch this video (6:24).

These ruins may not look like much today, but 2,000 years ago this was the home of one of the wealthy (and unethical) priests leading the Temple activities. Jesus was furious at the ruling class of Sadducees, famously turning over the tables of money changers on the Temple Mount during the last week of his life.

The Herodium was the favorite palace/fortress of Herod the Great. The massive, man-made mountain towered over the Christmas story, giving immediate insight to the terror Herod inflicted upon the families of nearby Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16-18). Herod was buried at the Herodium. Archaeological work continues to make the Herodium one of the most fascinating, New Testament era sites in all of Israel.

One of the original ten cities of the “Decapolis,” this Greek city/state was only eight miles from where Jesus did most of his teaching. Want to learn more about this site and why it matters to followers of Jesus? Watch this video (4:20).

The lowest city on earth is also one of the most familiar cities in the Bible. Jericho was perfectly positioned at the crossroads of the Jordan River Valley and the only road leading up to Jerusalem. Its mild winter climate made it a favorite of kings. Its ample supply of fresh water turned the desert soil into fertile farmland. Jesus journeyed through Jericho many times, most famously just one week before the crucifixion (Luke 19).

Since 1967, amazing ruins have been uncovered around the southwestern corner of the Temple Mount. The steps on the southern wall of the Temple Mount and the First Century street at the southwestern corner are pavement stones Jesus would have known. The ceremonial washing pools were probably used on the Day of Pentecost when 3,000 people became followers of Jesus (Acts 2:41).

“Cardo” means “straight.” The Romans always wanted a wide, straight street running through the heart of their occupied cities. Jerusalem’s Cardo still has the original pavement stones from the time of Christ.

Some of the most important archaeological work in the world today is being done in the “City of David.” Located a short walk south of the Temple Mount, this was the location of the Jerusalem David knew. It was far smaller than the Jerusalem Jesus knew. You’ll find Hezekiah’s Tunnel underneath these ruins and the First-Century street Jesus walked from the Pool of Siloam up to the Temple Mount.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the traditional location of both the crucifixion and the resurrection.

The traditional location of Peter’s denial. This church is built around and over the ruins over what is believed to be the house of Caiaphas.

The most dramatic entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City is through the Damascus Gate. The gate and the walls of the Old City are from the 15th Century and therefore, not that old in comparison with some of the 3,000-year-old ruins found in and near the Old City. Nevertheless, it’s easy to imagine Jesus and the disciples entering the city through such a gate. The crucifixion took place just a short distance from this area.

The most easily identifiable landmark of Jerusalem is the Dome of the Rock. Built upon the Temple Mount, it is perhaps in the very location where the Jewish Temple once stood. Though this is a holy place to Muslims, it is not a mosque. That structure lies just south of the gold-covered Dome of the Rock. Passages from the Koran are artistically inscribed in tile around the building, both inside and out.

The Eastern Gate to the Temple Mount has been sealed shut for centuries. According to Ezekiel 44, the “Anointed One” will enter the Eastern Gate to begin a messianic reign.

Though most scholars cast doubt that “Gordon’s Calvary” or the Garden Tomb might be the site of the crucifixion and resurrection, the natural environment of both locations helps Bible readers envision both events.

The traditional locations of the Garden of Gethsemane is marked by the Church of All Nations. If not the exact location of where Jesus prayed the night of his arrest, it is very close to the spot. Ancient olive trees grow in the well-tended gardens, helping set the mood for visitors.

Though most scholars cast doubt that “Gordon’s Calvary” or the Garden Tomb might be the site of the crucifixion and resurrection, the natural environment of both locations helps Bible readers envision both events.

The Kidron Valley separates the Old City and the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. John even included the detail that Jesus and the disciples “crossed the Kidron” on the way to Gethsemane (John 18:1).

No place offers a more stunning view of Jerusalem. From here, the ancient Temple Mount is clearly visible, along with the modern city of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives itself is home to several biblical stories.

Jesus once sent a blind man to the Pool of Siloam (John 9:7). When he washed the mud off his eyes, he came away seeing! The pool has been partially exposed in recent years at the southernmost point of the City of David.

By tradition, this church is built upon the ruins of the home of John Mark’s family.

The Via Dolorosa (“Way of Suffering”) is the traditional path Jesus took to the cross, and a walk along this way is fascinating. The street is only about 500 years old, however, so Christian pilgrims aren’t walking on the stones Jesus knew.

The most sacred site in Judaism, the Western Wall is no longer called the “Wailing Wall.” The larger stones on the wall were part of the Temple Mount retaining wall that supported the last Temple to stand atop the Temple Mount. The Temple was destroyed in 70 AD.

Photography is limited to only a few areas at the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. The Hall of Remembrance is one of those locations.

Jerusalem has been built, expanded, torn down, rebuilt, destroyed by fire, rebuilt again … many, many times. Each time, the stones for rebuilding have come from a number of quarries around the city. This quarry is underneath the Old City, directly across the street from Gordon’s Calvary.

The “Bread Basket of the Galilee” was also a major thoroughfare for biblical travelers. Because Israel’s well-watered land was sandwiched between an ocean on one side and a desert on the other, travelers from Africa, Europe and Asia traversed the land every day. The Jezreel has been, unsurprisingly, the backdrop of several wars. In biblical times, Deborah won a key battle at Mt. Tabor (Judges 4). King Josiah was killed in a battle on the Plain of Megiddo (2 Chronicles 35:22-24), which is part of the Jezreel. Jesus overlooked the Jezreel from his childhood perch in Nazareth. The southern side of the Jezreel, near Megiddo, is known as the Valley of Armageddon.

The primary water source for Israel has always been the Jordan River. It starts at Mt. Hermon, empties into the Sea of Galilee, exits the lake and slowly winds its way to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. The river is surprisingly small for playing such a big role in so many Bible stories!

This stretch of rugged desert between the Judean Mountains (Jerusalem and Bethlehem are on the ridge) and the Dead Sea (the lowest place on earth) was where David hid from Saul and where Jesus prepared for his ministry.

The home of Mary Magdalene, Magdala was a fishing village on the northwestern shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. Though the Gospels don’t tell us that Jesus visited Magdala, it seems almost certain that he would have.

Herod the Great built several palace-fortresses in and around Judea. The largest and most famous of those palaces is Masada.

The most fought-over city in history guards a narrow pass through the hill country of central Israel. Megiddo had already been the scene of so many battles, John must not have been surprised to have heard that the Valley of Megiddo - “Armageddon” - would be the scene of the last and greatest battle. Our drone video footage over the Megiddo Pass will clearly and instantly show why every army in the world wanted control over this bottleneck on an intercontinental highway.

This enormous crater in the Negev Desert provides some great hiking opportunities today. During the 40 years of wilderness wandering, the hiking wasn’t recreational!

The tallest peak overlooking the Sea of Galilee is Mount Arbel. Directly below Arbel is Magdala, hometown of Mary. Capernaum and several other familiar New Testament communities are close by, too, leading to speculation that Jesus may have climbed Arbel on some of his prayer retreats. Though we can’t say for sure that Jesus prayed from this lookout, it remains the best view of the area where Jesus did most of his preaching and miracles.

Be sure to check out the amazing drone footage we have from this site!

As his sons and defeated troops ran for their lives in the Jezreel Valley, Saul fell on his sword on Mt. Gilboa. His sons also lost their lives there. The Philistines carried the bodies to nearby Bet She’an and hung them on the walls of the city.

The tallest peak in Israel lies at its northernmost point. Mt. Hermon makes its appearance in an illustrative way in the Song of Solomon (4:8) and in the Psalms (42, 89 and 133). The transfiguration of Jesus also took place on a “high mountain.” According to Matthew 16-17, Jesus would have been at the base of Hermon immediately preceding the transfiguration event. From Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13), Mt. Hermon is by far the most logical “high mountain” in the area.

Modern-day Nablus is in the heart of biblical Samaria. The city lies in the valley of Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal, famous from Joshua’s renewal of the covenant (Joshua 8:30-35). Home to Jacob’s well, this is also the location of Jesus’ famous conversation with the “woman at the well” (John 4).

The childhood home of Jesus is a crowded city today. The Nazareth overlook is traditionally associated with the place where a crowd threatened to throw Jesus to his death. The Valley beneath that overlook is the Jezreel Valley. Directly across the valley lay Megiddo and the Valley of Armageddon!

The ruins of a pagan temple at Omrit have been discovered only in recent years. The temple was one of the first built anywhere in the world to honor the Roman emperor as god on earth. It overlooked the Hula Valley near the road that led to nearby Caesarea Philippi and well beyond that, to Damascus. It is highly likely that Jesus and his disciples walked past this temple on their way to a critically important conversation at Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13-20). Want a quick lesson in this location? Click here for a one-minute video.

Petra has no direct biblical connection. Associated with Edom in the time of King David, this hidden city was the capital of the Nabatean Empire during the time of Christ.

Famous today for being home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Qumran community was home to some of the most religiously radical men in all of Israel when Jesus was alive. Believing that the prophet Isaiah had commanded them to prepare the way for the Messiah in the wilderness, they established a community in the harsh Judean Wilderness and copied their precious scrolls there. John the Baptizer may or may not have come from the Qumran community, but he was definitely cut from the same, rugged cloth.

A First-Century tomb with a rolling stone lies beside a highway leading to Mt. Carmel. While tombs from the time period are fairly common, the “rolling stone” coverings are nearly non-existent.

Here’s a sampling of our massive photo library from the Sea of Galilee. Want to see some great video clips? Visit this category in our video library. An estimated 80 percent of the teaching of Jesus and the miracles that accompanied that ministry happened on or near the Sea of Galilee.

If they’re in the Bible, they probably walked the Jericho-Jerusalem Road. People were so familiar with this dangerous path, Jesus used it as the setting for his Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Watch this video to see a ready-to-use video recorded on location to help you understand the importance of this road and how you can use the images of this path in your own ministry.

Here’s a glimpse inside the rugged Judean Wilderness. Wadi Zohar lies near the southern end of the Dead Sea.