30 Days to Understanding the Bible – Geography of the New Testament
Geography of the New Testament is something we should all familiarize ourselves with when reading the Bible. Why? Look at world maps today, and you will find many of the same places spoken about in the Bible still exist today.
Have you heard of Egypt or Babylon, Jerusalem, or Rome? Those places exist today, and they are referenced in the Bible. What about the Jordan River, The Nile River, or the Dead Sea? I bet you have heard of those travel destinations a time or two – those are also in the Bible. Think about how long the Bible has been around and consider those same landmasses, cities, and bodies of water still exist today. Consider for a moment how many people travel to those specific destinations so they can say they walked where Jesus walked. Many people go to Rome to see the pope.
I think it is fascinating myself when I consider all the places referenced in the Bible. Modern-day Iraq and Iran are in the Bible as Babylon and Persia. Greece is also in the Bible.
When reading the Bible, imagine how much those places have changed, especially the landscape and buildings.
We should not dismiss the geography when reading the Bible.
One last thing to consider – people back in Bible times didn’t drive, fly, or ride a train. The people walked most everywhere until they figured out how to ride camels and horses. There was no subway, bicycles, or buses to transport people. They walked, and it could be days on foot before reaching their final destination. We have the luxury of mass transit and automobiles. I don’t know about you, but I am thankful.
So next time you complain about walking a few miles for exercise, consider how many miles the people in the Bible traveled with no tennis shoes or walking shoes. Talk about calloused feet – yikes.
Check out our study on New Testament geography. I hope as we study these locations, you will recognize some of the names.
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