Herod's Jerusalem Palace and the Kishle Excavation
The western-hill palace that most scholars now identify as Pilate's praetorium
Found 1999 — Amit Re'em (Israel Antiquities Authority), Kishle excavation 1999–2000; earlier soundings by Ruth Amiran and Avraham Eitan (1968–69) and Renée Sivan and Giora Solar (1980s) in the Citadel courtyard; Hillel Geva's excavations 1976–80
Where Tower of David Citadel and Kishle, near Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem (Israel)
Dates from c. 25 BCE–70 CE · Early Roman (Herodian) · Trial of Yeshua before Pilate
Now at In place; Tower of David Museum and Kishle, Jerusalem
How Herod's Jerusalem Palace and the Kishle Excavation was found
Excavation beneath the Ottoman 'Kishle' prison south of the Tower of David uncovered Herodian foundation walls and the platform on which Herod's palace stood, along with a Hasmonean wall and later remains. The site opened to visitors in 2015.
What it is
Herod's palace occupied the highest ground of the Upper City, a walled platform with two wings that Josephus names Caesareum and Agrippeum, guarded by three towers (Hippicus, Phasael and Mariamne); the base of one, probably Hippicus or Phasael, is the 'Tower of David'. The Kishle dig exposed the massive foundation walls of the platform.
Why it matters for the Bible
Roman governors used the palace when visiting Jerusalem, and Philo says Pilate hung shields there. Since the praetorium is where the governor lodged, most scholars now place Yeshua's trial here rather than at the Antonia. That would move the true starting point of the Via Dolorosa to the west side of the Old City, near the traditional Golgotha.
The Hebrew word: Beit ha-mish-PAT
בֵּית הַמִּשְׁפָּט
בֵּית הַמִּשְׁפָּט is pronounced Beit ha-mish-PAT and means house of judgment — Hebrew for praetorium (Greek praitorion, G4232) (Strong's G4232).
People this discovery connects to
- Pontius Pilate — פּוֹנְטְיוּס פִּילָטוּס (PON-tyus pee-LAH-tus) — Roman prefect of Judea
- Herod the Great — הוֹרְדוֹס (Hor-DOS) — Greek Herodes
Places
- Jerusalem — יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (Ye-roo-shah-LAH-yim) — foundation of peace
Events
Trial of Yeshua before Pilate · Herod Antipas in Jerusalem at Passover (Luke 23)
Herod's Jerusalem Palace and the Kishle Excavation in Scripture
Matthew 27:27 First mention of Praetorium in Scripture.
Mark 15:16 'Inside the palace, that is, the praetorium' — Mark's own gloss points to the governor's residence, Herod's palace.
John 18:28 Yeshua taken from Caiaphas to the praetorium; the Upper City houses of the priests are only a short walk away.
Questions people ask
What is Herod's Jerusalem Palace and the Kishle Excavation?
Herod's palace occupied the highest ground of the Upper City, a walled platform with two wings that Josephus names Caesareum and Agrippeum, guarded by three towers (Hippicus, Phasael and Mariamne); the base of one, probably Hippicus or Phasael, is the 'Tower of David'. The Kishle dig exposed the massive foundation walls of the platform.
When was Herod's Jerusalem Palace and the Kishle Excavation discovered?
It was found in 1999 by Amit Re'em (Israel Antiquities Authority), Kishle excavation 1999–2000; earlier soundings by Ruth Amiran and Avraham Eitan (1968–69) and Renée Sivan and Giora Solar (1980s) in the Citadel courtyard; Hillel Geva's excavations 1976–80, at Tower of David Citadel and Kishle, near Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem.
Where is Herod's Jerusalem Palace and the Kishle Excavation today?
In place; Tower of David Museum and Kishle, Jerusalem.
Which Bible verses does Herod's Jerusalem Palace and the Kishle Excavation relate to?
Matthew 27:27, Mark 15:16, John 18:28.
Is Herod's Jerusalem Palace and the Kishle Excavation authentic?
The palace's location is secure; its identification as Pilate's praetorium is the majority view but the Antonia tradition still has defenders. No part of the trial setting has been positively identified.
Related discoveries
- עָלָהPilgrimage Road (Stepped Street)The 600-meter stepped street from the Pool of Siloam up to the Temple Mount, built under Pilate
- הֶגְמוֹןPilate StoneLatin dedication naming 'Pontius Pilatus, Prefect of Judea'
- מַטְבֵּעַCoins of Pontius PilateSmall bronzes with Roman priestly symbols, minted in Jerusalem under Pilate in 29–31 CE
- טַבַּעַתThe 'Pilate' Ring from HerodiumCopper-alloy ring reading 'of Pilatus' in Greek, found 1968–69 and read in 2018
- גַּבְּתָאAntonia Fortress and the Lithostrotos PavementHerod's fortress beside the Temple and the stone pavement long shown as the place of Yeshua's trial
- הַר הַבַּיִתHerodian Western Wall and Temple Mount PlatformThe retaining walls of Herod's expanded Temple enclosure
Sources
- Re'em, The Qishle Excavation in the Old City of Jerusalem (IAA Reports, 2018)
- Wikipedia: Herod's Palace (Jerusalem)
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