Solomon’s Porch, Jerusalem Temple

Solomon’s Porch, Jerusalem Temple

Solomon's Porch was a beautiful section of the Jewish Temple in ancient Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. It was located on the eastern side of the Temple, overlooking the Kidron Valley. This porch was named after King Solomon, who built the first Temple in Jerusalem.

What Solomon’s Porch looked like

Although there are no detailed descriptions of Solomon's Porch in the Bible, historians say that it was a large, covered area with columns lining the perimeter. The porch was part of the outer court of the Temple and faced the Kidron Valley. Scholars say  the area was about 100 meters long and 20 meters wide. Plenty of room for large gatherings of people. Some also say the porch was a story high and had a flat roof, providing shade for the people who gathered there. The columns that supported the roof were most likely made of marble or limestone, and the roof itself was made of cedar-wood beams overlaid with gold.

A favorite meeting place in the shade

New Testament writers report that Solomon's Porch was a place where many people gathered. The Book of Acts says that after Jesus' death and resurrection, the apostles often preached and taught in this porch. People would come from all over to hear them and to see the miracles they performed. The Casual English Bible says in Acts 3:11, "a man who was born lame was miraculously healed by Peter and John as they walked through the porch." This miracle brought many people to the temple, and Peter used the opportunity to preach about Jesus and his message of salvation. Solomon's Porch was also the site of an important event in John chapter 10. Jesus was walking in this area when he was approached by a group of Jews who demanded to know if he was the Messiah. Jesus replied by saying that his works had already shown who he was, but the Jews were not convinced.

Where Jesus enraged fellow Jews

The Casual English Bible explains that Jesus claimed in John 10:30, "I and the Father are one." The Jews were so enraged by this statement that they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus managed to slip away and avoid being hurt. Today, the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem no longer stands. It was destroyed in 70 AD by the Roman Empire, and Solomon's Porch was lost to history. However, the impact of this porch and the events that took place there can still be felt today. The miracles and teachings of Jesus and his apostles continue to inspire and impact people around the world, even thousands of years later.