Jerusalem Kidron Valley from the north with photos

Jesus often stayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, at the base of the Mt. of Olives. The Kidron Valley separated Gethsemane from the Temple Mount and Jerusalem. As Jesus prayed and his disciples slept, Judas slipped from the city, crossed the Kidron and betrayed Jesus. The word Gethsemane is a combination of gat (press) and shemanim (oils). An ancient oil press was operated in this location, conveniently located so farmers could bring their olives down the steep hill of the Mt. of Olives. The press might have been in a cave, and it’s possible Jesus had access to it. Another option could be that the group slept outside in the comfortable spring weather during Passover week. It wasn’t the season for harvesting olives, so there would have been plenty of room in the garden. The Church of All Nations marks the traditional location of where Jesus prayed at Gethsemane.