The mount of temptation is where Jesus was tempted by the devil according to Mathew and Luke. It is located 3 kilometers north-west of the town of Jericho. After Jesus was baptized by John he was led to the wilderness to fast and meditate. Then he was tempted by the devil three times. The first temptation was when the devil asked Jesus to turn the stone into bread asked and he answered: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the second temptation was when the devil took Jesus to the highest point of the temple and told him if you were the son of god throw yourself down. Then Jesus told him “do not put the lord your god to the test”. Then the last time were when he took Jesus to a high mountain and told him all of this kingdom will be yours if you bow down and worship me, then Jesus said: “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

The mount of temptation is also known as Quarantania or Jabal Al-qruntol which is derived from the Latin word Quarantena which means forty, representing the days that Jesus fasted on the mountain. Through history many monks have lived on the mountains like Jesus did. In the year of 340 Saint Chariton built a monetary called Laura of Douka. Nowadays the Monetary of the Temptation of Jesus was rebuilt by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in the 19th Century. The Monetary was built around a stone that is believed to be the stone where Jesus sat when he was tempted by the Devil.

The Mount of Temptation has a great panoramic of the Mountain of Moab and Gilead and the Jordan Valley. You can choose between hiking up the mountain to reach the Monetary or take the Cable Car. It takes about 30 minutes to hike all the way up.  The Monetary is open for pilgrims and visitors until 4 PM during the week and until 2 PM on Saturday.

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