Where Did Jesus Die? — Page 142
? 142 Having taken leave of the people, he was going to embrace Eleazar and Joshua on Mount Nebo, when a cloud sud- denly stood over him and he disappeared, though he wrote in scripture that he died, which was done from fear that people might say, that because of his extraordinary virtue, he had been turned into a divinity. (Ant. iv:8 and 48. ) Later the belief became current that Moses did not die but was taken up to heaven like Elijah. 1 His burial place remained unknown for nearly two thousand years until ‘his like’, i. e. , the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and the blessings of God be upon him) appeared and discovered it. He said: ‘When Moses’ death drew nigh he asked God that he should be allowed to go to within a stone’s throw from the Promised Holy Land, and there he died. ’ Abu Hurairah, the reporter, says that the Holy Prophet added: ‘If I were there I would have shown you his sepulchre, situated near the roadside, at the foot of a russet hued hillock. ’ 2 The specified tomb, in Palestine is known to the Muslims as Qabr Nabi Musa, i. e. , the tomb of Moses the prophet. 3 1. Jewish Ency. , ‘Moses’. 2. Sahih-ul-Bukhari, vol. 2, 191, Egypt 1932. 3. ‘The grave of Moses,’ writes Dr. Phillip ‘is located between the Dead Sea and Mar Saba. It is marked by the Mosque of Neby Musa and is a great resort of Moslem pilgrims at the Easter season. I saw a vast picturesque procession passing through St. Stephen’s Gate in Jerusalem to the valley of the Kedron and on the tomb of the prophet Musa. ’ ‘Through Bible Lands,’ page 303 footnote, by Dr. Phillip Schabb, London, James Nisbet & Co. , New Edition, September 1888.