The Via Dolorosa

The Via Dolorosa (literally “The Way of Sorrow” in Latin) is the path pilgrims follow to recreate the last journey Jesus took on earth. It follows the path he traveled while carrying his cross through the streets of Jerusalem to Golgotha while in extreme agony.

The route winds its way through the Old City of Jerusalem. It starts at a school near the Lions gate in the Muslim quarter (east side of the Old City) which is believed to be the place where Jesus was condemned by Pontius Pilate. It ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian quarter (west sise of the Old City) which is believed to be the site of Golgotha.

The Christians knew where the Roman Praetorium was and they had the traditional site of Golgotha where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built, so they figured out a logical path from one place to the other. The path is 2.2 miles.

While there we witnessed a group of Christians walking the Via Dolorosa carrying a cross.

There are 14 stations along this path where specific events are believed to have occurred. Some of them are based on accounts by the writers of the Gospels. Others are rooted in tradition. Where there are Bible references to read, we know these events actually took place. Where there are no biblical references, they are tradition. There are nine stations along the road itself and five additional stations inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The stations are marked on the walls of the streets with metal discs with Roman numerals.

1. Jesus’ condemnation by Pilate.
Read Matthew 27:11-24; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16.

Pilate would have lived most of the year in Herod’s palace along the Mediterranean Sea. He would have lived among the Roman pagans on the beach with his own pool. Why live with the fanatic Jews in Jerusalem?

Hundreds of thousands of Jews would have poured into Jerusalem for the Passover. Some estimate even a million! Many shouting, “Romans go home!” Pilate had to live in Jerusalem during the Passover week in case of rioting. He would have stayed in the Roman garrison.

The first station was where Pilate’s palace and courtyard was. Jesus would have walked on smooth stones from the palace.

2. Where Jesus took the cross
Read Matthew 27:27-30; Mark 15:16-19; John 19:1-3.

The Church of the Flagellation is across the road from the First Station. It marks where Jesus was beaten by the Roman soldiers. The Chapel of Judgment/Condemnation, on the other side, marks the site where Jesus was sentenced to death.

We were underground in a dark prison made out of stones. The prisoner would have brought a pouch of money to buy bread and water. The soldiers would play a game of dice with squares and triangles on the stone slab floor. It was called “The Game of Kings.” The winner had the right to take the prisoner’s money. The soldiers would have gambled for Jesus’ clothing with this game.

The prisoners would have no urinals, no beds. They would have to sleep in excrement.

3. Marked by a relief sculpture above the door of a small Polish chapel at the junction with al-Wad Road, Station 3 is where Jesus fell for the first time under the weight of his cross.

4. Station 4 is where Mary watched her son go by with the cross, and is commemorated at the Armenian Church of Our Lady of the Spasm. (Neither of these events is recorded in the Bible.) Be sure to go inside the church to see the remarkable 5th-century floor mosaic, which includes an outline of a pair of sandals, said to be Mary's footprints.