Mount Precipice (Israel)
City:
Nazareth
State, Province, Region, or District:
Northern District, Galilee Region
Country:
Israel
Overview
South of Nazareth, on Mount Kedumim, is the cliff on which it is supposed the attempt was made to throw Jesus to his death after He proclaimed Himself to the Messiah. According to Luke 4:16-30, Jesus returned to Nazareth and preached in the synagogue, declaring that he was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah. The people of Nazareth were initially amazed by his words, but when Jesus suggested that he was the Messiah, they became angry and attempted to push him off the cliff on Mount Precipice. However, Jesus was able to escape from their grasp and left the city.
A road leads to the site and the view over the Jezreel Valley and Mount Tabor is spectacular. On the mountain is a ruined church called Our Lady of the Fright Chapel. It commemorates the Catholic tradition that Mary, the mother of Jesus, fainted with fear as the crowd led her Son to the cliff.
Today, Mount Precipice is a popular tourist destination in Nazareth, offering panoramic views of the city and the surrounding countryside. The site has a large outdoor amphitheater that can accommodate up to 4,000 people, and it is often used for cultural events and concerts.
Geography & Location
Nazareth is in the northern part of Israel in the Lower Galilee area, north of the Jezreel Valley.
Biblical, Historical, & Archaeological Background Information
Very little is known about Nazareth from the ancient sources. Outside of the New Testament, Nazareth is never mentioned until the Byzantine period (4th c. AD). Archaeological excavations have confirmed that the city was only a small agricultural village during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
Biblical & Historical References
Nazareth was the home of Joseph and Mary and the place where the angel Gabriel was sent to announce to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of Christ the Messiah (Luke 1:26-38).
Etymology
Precipice means in English: “a very steep cliff”
Places of Interest
Our Lady of the Fright Ruins