Sermon on the Mount Location

Sermon on the Mount Location

The hilltop church (left) overlooking the Sea of Galilee (right) is said to be the location of Jesus' sermon on the mount, but this location for the sermon on the mount has as much evidence supporting it as the location for Tabgha does.

The accuracy of the location aside, ever wonder how "great multitudes" (below) heard Jesus' sermon on the mount, which even some atheists consider the greatest moral discourse ever given? Since the sermon on the mount was given long before microphone was invented, did Jesus have to yell at the top his lungs?

The answer is no. The Sea of Galilee is shaped like a bowl and has strong winds that serve as a natural amplifier. A firm voice spoken downwind is carried a fair distance. After overhearing a tour leader explain this to his group, I walked about 70 yards downwind from him. Sure enough, I could still hear the man quite clearly, and he wasn't even speaking that loudly.

Anyway, here is what the people would have heard 2,000 years ago:

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him - from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
   Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
   Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
   Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
   Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
   Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
   Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
   Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven..."