Note 1 at Jn. 8:1: The Mount of Olives is actually a ridge about a mile long directly east of Jerusalem, with four summits, the highest of which rises to about 2,700 feet above sea level, or about 200 feet higher than Mt. Zion. Between the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem lies the Kidron Valley or Valley of Jehosaphat. Located on the slopes of this mountain are the Garden of Gethsemane and the towns of Bethpage and Bethany. The summit of the Mount of Olives commands an excellent view of Jerusalem and the temple and is a "sabbath day's journey" or about three-fourths of a mile from the city.

The mountain is mentioned twice in the Old Testament (2 Sam. 15:30 [as Olivet] and Zech. 14:4)--the second reference referring to Jesus' second physical return to earth. It is mentioned 13 times in the New Testament, and Luke 22:39 states that Jesus went there "as He was wont" (or accustomed). His ascension was also from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12), and He will stand on it and cause it to divide in two when He shall "fight against those nations" that battle against Jerusalem (Zech. 14:2-4).