For many years, biblical academics and historians have been captivated by this subject. Could this be the Talpiot Tomb in Jerusalem? Is the Garden Tomb nearby? Or perhaps a burial ground in faraway places such as Japan or India? The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City is widely regarded as the most likely location for Jesus’ burial. In 2016, it was reopened for the first time in centuries. The notion that Jesus’ tomb is placed in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre dates back to the fourth century. Then, emperor Constantine, a new convert to Christianity, directed his agents to locate Jesus’ tomb. When Constantine’s forces arrived in Jerusalem in 325 A.D., they were escorted to a Hadrian-built Roman temple that was 200 years old. They discovered a limestone cave tomb beneath the surface, complete with a shelf or burial bed. This matched the description of Jesus’ tomb in the Bible, persuading them that they had discovered his burial spot. Though the church has long been known as the location of Jesus’ tomb, there is no certainty that Jesus Christ was buried there. Early Christians were persecuted and forced to abandon Jerusalem, therefore his grave may not have been preserved. The fact that other possible tombs have surfaced over time adds to the confusion. Some believe the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem is a possible contender.
