Today Qarantal can easily be reached by cable car from the ancient town of Jericho, straight below. The cable ride is 1330 meters long and the view of the Jordan Valley below is magnificent, with the Nebo mountain of Jordan in the background. The monastery itself is also worth a photo session with its location, carved into the hillside with its little caves carved out for individual monks.

Background on Mount of Temptation and Qarantal

Jesus was tempted by the devil on the mountain where Qarantal is located, straight above Jericho, according to tradition. Today the Greek-Orthodox monastery of Jabal Qarantal, the Mount of Temptation, is located there, inhabited by six monks. The tradition of the place is old, and Byzantine monks were the first ones to build a monastery here, built on top of a Hasmonean fortress on the spot.

Reflections on the Scriptures

To reflect on the story:

Matthew 4: 8-11
⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.⁹"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." ¹⁰Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." ¹¹Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

To reflect on application to your own life:

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

New International Version
Scriptures provided by: Eva Marie Everson; Best Selling Novelist
Reflections of God's Holy Land; A Personal Journey Through Israel

Travelujah Tips

The Mount of Temptation can only be reached from Jericho, which today is under Palestinian rule. Bring passports for entering the town. Good facilities on top of the mountain. Modest clothing required for entering the monastery.

Nearby Places of Interest

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