Ephesus

See the Roman ruins and key Christian sites like Mary's house and John's tomb. Mary may have lived here before her burial in the Church of Mary.

St. John lived in Ephesus, Asia's major commercial and cultural hub. Ephesus was an important Roman city, so its church may have been strong, with Christianity becoming the main religion. It was the first of the seven churches of Revelation. Christ's letter commends its deeds, hard work, perseverance, and rejection of false teachers. (Revelation 2:2-3)

BLP:

This morning we enjoy a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. Here the Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived for three years. This church also received an epistle from him during his imprisonment at Rome.

Here we will see the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC. Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings...

• Bible:
  • Revelation 2:2-3
• Travel:
  • Turkey & Greece 2019
    • Thu 3/7
      • 7:00 — Breakfast
      • 7:45 — Depart Hotel
      • 8:15 — Site of the Temple of Artemis
      • 8:50 — Bathroom Stop
      • 9:30 — Tour Ephesus
        • Baths of Scholastica
        • the Library of Celsus
        • Agora
        • Theater where Christians faced an angry mob in Acts.
          • Acts 19:11-41 Reading at Theater
        • Temple of Hadrian
        • Terrace Houses
        • Basilica of St. John ?
      • 12:00 — Free time for Lunch and personal Exploration at Ephesus
      • 1:45 — Virgin Mary Church at Ephesus
        • Lesson Connection on Baptism
      • 2:30 — Depart
      • 2:45 — Ephesian Archaeological Museum in Selcuk
      • 4:00 — Depart for Izmir
• Resources:
  • Wikipedia
  • Web
  • Map

Background

• Paul preached here and lived for 3 years, wrote here.
• Demetrios stirred up a mob against Paul, saying that he was endangering the livelihood of those making silver Artemis shrines.
• One of seven churches addressed in Revelations
• John may have written his gospel here as well

The church at Ephesus was established 15-20 years after the death of Jesus Christ. Paul visited the city on his second missionary journey through the ancient world (Acts 18:19). After planting the church in Ephesus, Paul put a couple named Pricilla and Aquila in charge of the church.

Temple of Artemis

Baths of Scholastica

One of the centers of aristocratic social life in ancient Ephesus. Originally Roman style with cold pool, a tepid pool and a hot pool. Was 3 floors originally.

Library of Celsus

An ancient Roman building considered an architectural marvel. Celsus enjoyed a successful military and political career, having served as a commander in the Roman army before being elected to serve as a consul for the Roman Empire, the highest elected office in Imperial Rome. He also served as a Roman senator.

Theater

The Ephesus Amphitheater is where Christians faced an angry mob. Paul argued with the silversmith Demetrius at the theatre at Ephesus. Demetrius encouraged the crowd in a chant of “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Temple of Hadrian

This was for the deified emperor Hadrian, who reigned 117-138. Hadrian assumed control over the vast Roman Empire in AD 117 following the death of his adoptive father, Trajan. As emperor, he broke with the expansionist policies of his predecessors to focus on securing theRoman Empire within its existing borders.

Terrace Houses

BLP: "remains of the luxurious residential houses, where the rich and famous citizens of Ephesus lived"

Located along Curetes Street across from the Hadrian Temple. These seven houses and the families that lived in them were at the center of Ephesus’ busiest district. The Houses are built on three separate terraces, three on the 1st and two each on the 2nd and 3rd, sharing only side streets and alleyways. The houses are important for the information they give us about family life during the Roman period.

Virgin Mary Church at Ephesus

This was the first of churches dedicated to the mother of Christ. It is also the most significant building from Christian times in Ephesus. It was erected in the 3rd century within an earlier building. Architecturally, the structure can be described as a basilica with a nave and two aisles.

It is often called as the Double Church since one part of the church was for Mother Mary and the other was for John the Apostle. The structure was used as an educational center for Ephesian Christian priests and also a public meeting house.

According to tradition John took Jesus’ mother, Mary, and came to Ephesus. He wrote his Gospel in Ephesus and the Revelation in Greece Island, Patmos, in 96 AD. In 95 John returned to Ephesus and started writing his Gospel. John died in Ephesus and according to his will, he was buried nearby Ephesus. John’s father was a Galilean fisherman.

John is credited with writing the Gospel of John, John I, II, III, and the book of Revelation.

Ephesian Archaeological Museum in Selcuk

Located near the Ancient Greek city of Izmir, it houses finds from the nearby Ephesus excavation site. Its best-known exhibit is the ancient statue of the Greek Goddess Artemis retrieved from the temple of the goddess in Ephesus. There are approximately 64 thousand pieces exhibited in this important museum.

Basilica of St. John

Title image credit

More to come...