An atlas of scripture
The Bible on the Map
Explore where key events of the Bible took place, from the journeys of Abraham to the ministry of Jesus and the spread of the early church.
Use the era selector to move through the Bible's story and see how places, journeys, kingdoms and events unfold across the ancient world.
Era
Life of Jesus
c. 4 BC – AD 30
Some locations and dates are approximate, and scholars do not agree on every detail. This map is designed as a helpful guide to the Bible's geography and historical setting, not as a claim of exact certainty for every event.
Events in this era
17 events
- Life of Jesus
Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
Bethlehem · c. 6–4 BC
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, the town of David, fulfilling longstanding prophetic expectations.
Matthew 1–2; Luke 2
- Life of Jesus
Flight into Egypt
Egypt · c. 4 BC
Warned in a dream, Joseph takes Mary and the infant Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod.
Matthew 2:13–15
- Life of Jesus
Nazareth, hometown of Jesus
Nazareth · Early 1st century AD
Jesus grows up in Nazareth, a small Galilean village, before beginning his public ministry.
Luke 2:39–52; 4:16–30
- Life of Jesus
Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
River Jordan · c. AD 27
Jesus is baptised by John in the Jordan, marking the start of his public ministry.
Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3
- Life of Jesus
Capernaum, ministry base
Capernaum · c. AD 28
Jesus makes Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee his base, calling disciples and performing many miracles in the surrounding villages.
Matthew 4:13; Mark 1:21
- Life of Jesus
Sea of Galilee ministry
Sea of Galilee · c. AD 28–30
Much of Jesus's teaching, miracles and parables take place around the small fishing communities of the Sea of Galilee.
Mark 4; Luke 8
- Life of Jesus
Sermon on the Mount
Hillside above Galilee (traditional) · c. AD 28
Jesus teaches the Beatitudes and Lord's Prayer on a hillside above the Sea of Galilee — the heart of his ethical teaching.
Matthew 5–7
- Life of Jesus
Wedding at Cana
Cana of Galilee · c. AD 28
Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana — the first of the 'signs' in John's gospel.
John 2:1–11
- Life of Jesus
Jesus and the Samaritan woman
Sychar (Jacob's well) · c. AD 28
At Jacob's well in Samaria, Jesus offers a foreign woman 'living water' and reveals himself as the Messiah.
John 4:1–42
- Life of Jesus
Caesarea Philippi
Caesarea Philippi · c. AD 29
At the northern edge of the land, Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah — a turning point in the Gospels.
Matthew 16:13–20
- Life of Jesus
The Transfiguration
High mountain (Tabor or Hermon) · c. AD 29
Jesus is transfigured before three disciples; the traditional site is Mount Tabor, but Mount Hermon is also proposed.
Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9
- Life of Jesus
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem
Jerusalem · c. AD 30
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey as crowds shout 'Hosanna', beginning the events of Holy Week.
Matthew 21; John 12
- Life of Jesus
Gethsemane
Garden of Gethsemane · c. AD 30
On the Mount of Olives, Jesus prays in anguish before his arrest.
Matthew 26:36–56
- Life of Jesus
Crucifixion and resurrection
Jerusalem · c. AD 30
Jesus is crucified outside the city walls and, three days later, his followers find the tomb empty — the centre of the Christian faith.
Matthew 27–28; Mark 15–16; Luke 23–24; John 19–20
- Life of Jesus
Jesus and Zacchaeus at Jericho
Jericho · c. AD 30
Passing through Jericho, Jesus calls the tax collector Zacchaeus down from a sycamore tree.
Luke 19:1–10
- Life of Jesus
Raising of Lazarus at Bethany
Bethany · c. AD 30
Jesus weeps for his friend Lazarus and calls him out of the tomb — the climactic sign before Holy Week.
John 11
- Life of Jesus
Road to Emmaus
Road to Emmaus · c. AD 30
After the resurrection, Jesus walks unrecognised with two disciples on the road to Emmaus and is known to them in the breaking of bread.
Luke 24:13–35