Geographical inaccuracy in the The Sophia of Jesus Christ

Geographical inaccuracy in the The Sophia of Jesus Christ

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**Geographical Accuracy in *The Sophia of Jesus Christ*: Are There Two Mountains of Olives?**

In the Nag Hammadi text *The Sophia of Jesus Christ*, there is a fascinating and much-debated reference to a mountain called "Of the Olives" located in **Galilee**, which has raised questions about its geographical accuracy. The passage reads:

> “After he rose from the dead, his twelve disciples and seven women continued to be his followers, and went to Galilee onto the mountain called ‘Divination and Joy.’ When they gathered together and were perplexed about the underlying reality of the universe and the plan, and the holy providence, and the power of the authorities, and about everything the Saviour is doing with them in the secret of the holy plan, the Saviour appeared—not in his previous form, but in the invisible spirit. And his likeness resembles a great angel of light. But his resemblance I must not describe. No mortal flesh could endure it, but only pure, perfect flesh, like that which he taught us about on the mountain called ‘Of the Olives’ in Galilee.” (*The Sophia of Jesus Christ*)

Critics of the text have proposed that this reference to “the mountain called ‘Of the Olives’ in Galilee” is a geographical inaccuracy. Traditionally, the Mount of Olives is located in **Judea**, just east of Jerusalem, and it is well-known for its biblical significance. However, this assumption fails to account for the broader geographical and agricultural realities of ancient Israel and especially of the region of Galilee.

To begin with, *Matthew 28:9-10* provides us with Jesus’ own instruction to his disciples:

> “Rejoice!… Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Matthew 28:9-10)

Later, we read:

> “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.” (Matthew 28:16)

Clearly, Jesus intended for his post-resurrection appearances to occur **in Galilee**—not just Jerusalem. Galilee was not only the region of Jesus’ early ministry but also the setting for his final revelations to the disciples.

We also find that at some point after the Jerusalem appearance, Jesus met with seven disciples at the **Sea of Tiberias** (another name for the Sea of Galilee):

> “After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias…” (John 21:1)

This meeting in John 21 is consistent with the idea that the resurrected Jesus spent time with his disciples in Galilee, affirming the idea of *mountains in Galilee* being spiritually significant during that period.

So what of this mountain “called ‘Of the Olives’ in Galilee”? While the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem is well known, there is no reason to assume it is the *only* mountain historically associated with olive trees. In fact, Galilee is abundant with olive groves. The olive tree (*Olea europaea*) thrives throughout the Mediterranean, including:

- The mountain slopes of Galilee

- Samaria

- The central highlands of Israel

This is supported by various biblical references such as:

> “When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.” (Deuteronomy 24:20)

> “You shall have olive trees throughout all your territory, but you shall not anoint yourself with the oil; for your olives shall drop off.” (Deuteronomy 28:40)

The Galilee region has long been known for its **olives**, **wine**, and **pomegranates**. One such mountain of significance in Galilee is **Mount Tabor**, a monadnock rising prominently from the surrounding landscape, distinct from the Nazareth ridge nearby. Mount Tabor is:

- Located in Lower Galilee

- Known for its surrounding olive groves and vineyards

- Historically associated with visions and divine encounters

It is entirely possible that a mountain near or on Mount Tabor could have been locally referred to as a “mountain of olives,” especially by a Galilean community. This would explain the reference in *The Sophia of Jesus Christ* to “the mountain called ‘Of the Olives’ in Galilee.”

Furthermore, ancient place-names were not always fixed or formalized in the way we assume today. Communities often used descriptive or symbolic names based on physical features or spiritual significance. A mountain covered in olive trees in Galilee could naturally be called the "mountain of the olives" or “Mount of Olives” without referencing the Judean mountain east of Jerusalem.

It is worth noting the mystical and symbolic quality of the *The Sophia of Jesus Christ* as a Gnostic text. The reference to mountains, olive trees, and divine teaching is loaded with spiritual meaning. Mountains often symbolize ascension, divine encounter, and spiritual revelation. Olive trees symbolize peace, anointing, and divine provision. That this teaching occurred on a mountain "called ‘Of the Olives’ in Galilee" carries not just literal but mystical resonance in keeping with the Gnostic tradition of spiritual ascent and hidden wisdom.

Finally, the existence of multiple olive-covered mountains in Israel is not merely probable—it is geologically and agriculturally certain. Galilee is full of such places. One only needs to visit the slopes around Mount Tabor or the hills of Upper Galilee to see the groves stretching across the terrain.

**Conclusion:**

There is no geographical error in *The Sophia of Jesus Christ*. Rather, it reflects a localized Galilean setting where olive-covered hills and mountains were—and still are—common. The reference to a “mountain called ‘Of the Olives’ in Galilee” is plausible both historically and agriculturally. Far from being an error, this mention enriches our understanding of how early Christian mystics localized divine encounters in familiar and sacred spaces, allowing for spiritual continuity between Jesus' ministry in Galilee and his post-resurrection revelations. Thus, we may affirm: **there are indeed two—or even more—Mountains of Olives.**