What is established
Biblical Jerusalem
King David made Jerusalem his capital around 1000 BC; Solomon built the first temple. It was destroyed by Babylon in 586 BC, rebuilt, and the second temple was destroyed by Rome in AD 70. Jesus taught, died and rose again in Jerusalem.
Three faiths
The Old City holds the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif.
Modern status
Divided from 1948 to 1967, the city came fully under Israeli control in 1967. Israel calls Jerusalem its undivided capital; Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as their capital. Most countries keep embassies in Tel Aviv; the United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018.
Where people differ
- Many states regard East Jerusalem as occupied; Israel regards the whole city as its sovereign capital.
- Christians read Zechariah 12 and 14 and Revelation 21 differently: some expect a literal future role for the earthly city, others emphasise the heavenly Jerusalem.
Biblical reflection
'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem' (Psalm 122:6) is a prayer for everyone who lives there. Jesus wept over the city (Luke 19:41); we are invited to share His tears and His hope.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:6–10; Psalm 122; Zechariah 12:2–3; Luke 19:41–44; Revelation 21:2
Questions readers ask
Why is Jerusalem so important?
It is the city of the temple for Jews, of the cross and resurrection for Christians, and home to Al-Aqsa for Muslims — and it is central to the political conflict.
Sources
Related explainers
Judea and Samaria / the West BankThe Israeli-Palestinian conflict: a timelineGod's covenant with IsraelAll explainers