Mount of Temptation in Israel

Mount of Temptation is the traditional Mount located in the Judaean Desert where according to the Gospel of Matthew Jesus was tempted by the devil. According to the Synoptic Gospels, after the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist; Jesus followed the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. It was there where he fasted forty days and forty nights. During or after this period Satan tried to seduce him several times. But Jesus resisted all attempts. Then Satan turned away from him and Jesus went to Galilee. In the Gospel According to John, this event is not even mentioned. According to Christian tradition, the meeting between Jesus and Satan and the first and third temptations took place on Mount Quarantania (Mount of Temptation); located west of Jericho, where a monastery of temptation (Deir al-Quruntal) was built. In fact, the name in Arabic originates from the forty days of fasting (the number 40 in Latin is Quadraginta). The second temptation occurred according to tradition on Temple Mount; in the temple itself, or in the southeast corner of the mountain. New Testament commentators have discussed whether what happened on the Mount of Temptation is a description of a realistic and actual event that actually happened; or whether it is a parable and an illustration to express an idea. The traditional Catholic interpretation claims that it was indeed a real event. In other words, there was the physical revelation of Satan before Jesus; and their presence in the places mentioned.