Learn more about past exhibits
presented by Museum of the Bible.
Hope amidst Despair: The Prophets by Jacob Barosin
During the Holocaust, the Jewish artist Jacob Barosin hid in the upper floor of a schoolhouse to avoid detection. While in hiding, Barosin and his wife, Sonia, used the Bible as a source of hope, reading from it every day for nearly a year. As he read from the Bible, he became inspired by the stories of the prophets of Israel, who preached hope at times of great despair, offering the promise of being saved and preserved by the Lord. Later in life, Jacob Barosin created a series of 18 life-size paintings of the prophets, which are the focus of this exhibition.
Ecce Homo: Behold the Man
Moments before the crucifixion, the Roman ruler Pontius Pilate brings Jesus out in a crown of thorns and says before the angry crowd, “Behold the man!”—later translated in Latin as “Ecce Homo.” This impactful moment in the Bible has been a source of inspiration for artists across centuries. This Easter, come see how 21 artists have captured this moment of the passion and portrayed the suffering Jesus experienced as he stood trial.
Bethlehem Reborn: The Wonders of the Church of the Nativity
Built over the traditional birthplace of Jesus, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem has survived for nearly 1,700 years. This exhibit highlights the history and the recent “rebirth” of the church after years of restorative renovations. Come discover the place where Christmas began.
Through Gates of Splendor: The Elisabeth Elliot Story
In a new “Personal Stories” exhibit, Museum of the Bible explores the life of Christian missionary Elisabeth Elliot. In 1958, Elisabeth Elliot returned to the Ecuadorian rainforest to live with the tribe who had killed her husband only two years earlier. Her choice to forgive, rather than retaliate, sparked a change in the Waodäni, who left behind a cycle of violence to embrace a life of love. Elliot’s remarkable story rippled across the globe, inspiring millions to serve God through missions. Come explore the life and legacy of Elisabeth Elliot.
With special thanks to our sponsor:
Hagia Sophia: The Churches of the Wisdom of God
This exhibition is a photographic exploration of 37 historic churches around the world dedicated tohagia sophia, or "wisdom of God." These churches are testaments to the faith professed by each community, and they continue to stand as some of the greatest architectural and cultural achievements in the world.
Scripture and Science: Our Universe, Ourselves, Our Place
This exhibition will bust the myth that science and biblical faith have been diametrically opposed to each other throughout history and will invite people to discover the Bible’s impact on the scientific world. In fact, the Bible encouraged curiosity. Its big ideas provided a framework for the way some of the greatest philosophers, scholars, and scientists thought about their work and understood their discoveries. The Bible certainly provoked intense debate at times, but far from being an obstacle to scientific progress, biblical theology actually played an important role in the development of science and our understanding of the world around us.
Christmas in Malta: Winners of the 2023 Nativity Crib Competition
Museum of the Bible is honored to display the top three Nativity cribs from the nation of Malta’s annual competition. Huge in size and elaborate in detail, this centuries-old Maltese tradition lets you see the Nativity as you never have before.
A Journey of Faith: The Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome
Through a series of stunning prints from the Vatican Library, this exhibition invites guests to explore the spiritual history and importance of each of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, and to discover the sacred relics that have drawn pilgrims to these churches for centuries.
Sukkah in the Biblical Garden
The sukkah is a structure built for the Jewish Festival of Sukkot which commemorates the time spent in the wilderness after their freedom from Egypt. It is traditional for Jewish families to eat, sing, and even sleep inside the sukkah.
"Stations of the Cross" by Gib Singleton
Guests can walk through our Stations of the Cross exhibit, which features sculptures in bronze by renowned artist Gib Singleton of each stage in the final hours of Jesus’s life.
The Samaritans: A Biblical People
The name Samaritan is often linked to two particular stories found in the New Testament: Jesus's parable of the good Samaritan and the story of his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. But beyond that, few know much about this micro-community of 850 people living in modern Israel who trace their history back to the kingdom of ancient Israel.
Watchman Nee
In a new “Personal Stories” exhibit, Museum of the Bible will explore the life and martyrdom of Watchman Nee, recognized by Christianity Today magazine as one of the most influential Christians of the twentieth century. Watchman Nee founded the “Local Church” movement in China, the first native Christian movement in the country.
Come explore the life and legacy of Watchman Nee. The exhibit is included with admission.
Bells of Bethlehem: Sounds from the Church of the Nativity
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, believed by many to mark the place of Jesus's birth, has survived thousands of years. It is one of the oldest continuously operating churches, surviving invasions, changing regimes, fire, and earthquakes.
In the twelfth century, during the Crusader period, protective walls, two bell towers, paintings, and mosaics were added to the church. During the mid-thirteenth century, prior to an invasion, Crusaders buried 13 bronze bells near the church, coating them with animal fat to protect them from rust. These bells were unearthed, along with 222 medieval copper pipes from the church organ, in 1906 during a building project at the Franciscan compound.
Museum of the Bible is excited to showcase six of these surviving bells for the Christmas season. Come learn about these artifacts from the Holy Land.
Photo credit: © Elias Halabi
Basilica Sancti Petri: The Transformation of Saint Peter's Basilica
Have you ever wondered why so many Christian cathedrals and churches share a similar architecture? Come find out in our newest display featuring a series of special prints recently published by the Vatican.
Mystery & Faith: The Shroud of Turin
The museum is proud to present a high-tech, interactive exhibition about the Shroud of Turin. Both instantly recognizable and veiled in mystery, the Shroud is the world’s most studied, analyzed, and revered cloth. Discover the Shroud’s fascinating history and the scientific study it has undergone through engaging films and eight cutting-edge, interactive displays!
Christmas in Malta: An Exhibition of Handmade Cribs
Constructing handmade Nativity scenes set in elaborate landscapes called “cribs” is a centuries-old tradition that carries strong significance in Maltese culture. Last year, in partnership with the museum, the nation of Malta sponsored a crib-decorating contest. The top 10 entries were displayed, and guests voted for their favorites. The winner was Adrian Gatt and Raymond Zammit's crib, which you can see in the images below. This year we're featuring all 10 Nativities again so everyone can see these beautiful, intricately sculpted works of art. With some topping out at over 7 feet in diameter, they'll amaze even the youngest museum guest.
Serving the Soviets: One Man’s Quest to Bring Bibles to the USSR
While an outright ban on the Bible never existed in the USSR during the Cold War, many religions, and religious practices, were essentially forced out of public life by the state. Despite this opposition, Ken, and many others, believed that anyone who wanted a copy of the Bible should have one; so they set out to bring Bibles across the border. This exhibit is about his story — a tale of an ordinary man who did extraordinary things to share the Bible with the world.
Magna Carta: Tyranny. Justice. Liberty.
The story of the Magna Carta is the story of the struggle for liberty. In this special exhibition, the role of the Bible and the English Church in that struggle will be traced from the creation of the Magna Carta in the thirteenth century to the present day. The Bible has much to say about rulers and ruling justly, such as Isaiah 10:1, “Woe unto those who make unjust laws,” or Psalm 2:10–11, “Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” Verses like these and others show the Bible’s position on justice, and have been discussed and debated time and again over the centuries by both rulers and the ruled.
Dissertation on Peace Exhibit
Jerome and Jeromyah Jones are a dynamic father/son team from Richmond, Virginia, who use their paintings and poetry to comment on current events and create conversations. In their collection of paintings entitled Dissertation on Peace Exhibit, each piece presents peace as a biblical solution to issues and fears in today’s world, ranging from natural disasters to civil unrest.
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross is an interactive and spiritual art experience, based in a long tradition of the church, commemorating fourteen events from the last hours of Jesus’s life. Intended as an art form to portray the story in more meaningful ways, the fourteen stages offer a profound platform for meditation, education, and prayer.
Christmas in Malta: Winners of the Nativity Crib Competition
Constructing handmade Nativity scenes set in elaborate landscapes called “cribs” is a centuries-old tradition that carries strong significance in Maltese culture. This year, in partnership with the museum, the nation of Malta sponsored a crib decorating contest. Follow the link to see the top 10.
Light of Hope: The Corrie ten Boom Story
Light of Hope: The Corrie ten Boom Story tells the amazing story of Corrie ten Boom’s life and work. Motivated in part by the Bible’s teachings to help those in need, Corrie ten Boom is considered by some to be one of the most influential Christian voices of the twentieth century.
Picture Books of the Past: Reading an Old Master Painting
Long before emojis, the medieval church used pictures as a tool to convey biblical stories and religious instruction.
Inventors of the Alphabets
Contemporary prints on display for the first time outside the Vatican. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to see the “Inventors of the Alphabets” wood block prints. For the first time, these contemporary works are on display outside the walls of the Vatican.
With a Mighty Hand: The Art and History of the Passover Haggadah
Passover is a time of remembrance and celebration. Experience this rich tradition through a selection of the most beautifully illuminated Haggadahs from the past 500 years.
The Tapestry of Light: A 21st-Century Apocalypse
The book of Revelation in the Christian Bible has been a fascinating source of inspiration for artists. See the imagery of the Apocalypse reinterpreted by artist Dr. Irene Barberis in a contemporary, glow-in-the-dark tapestry of epic scale.
A Fence around the Torah: Unveiling an Iconic Jewish Bible
Hidden away for 1,000 years, the text of the Washington Pentateuch is the foundation of almost every Bible today. This ancient Hebrew Bible will be unveiled to the public for the first time in this special exhibition.
The Slave Bible: Let the Story Be Told
Discover the disturbing story of British missionaries’ use of the Slave Bible among enslaved Africans in the Caribbean.
The Wiedmann Bible
Discover the work of German artist Willy Wiedmann, who spent sixteen years creating the world’s longest illustrated Bible.
Jerusalem and Rome: Cultures in Context in the First Century CE
Brought to Museum of the Bible by the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, this exhibition tells the story of the first century CE from the greatest political events of the century down to the daily life of everyday people.
The Stations of the Cross
Featuring the magnificent work of renowned sculptor Gib Singleton, this experience portrayed fourteen stages in the last hours of Jesus’ life.
Pilgrim Preacher: Billy Graham, the Bible, and the Challenges of the Modern World
Explore how the Bible shaped Billy Graham’s life and work as one of the most prominent figures of the past century.
Lost and Found: The Return of Manuscript 18
Museum of the Bible sponsored research that led to the discovery that a medieval Greek manuscript in its collection had been stolen from the University of Athens. Discover the fascinating story of how the museum returned this manuscript to its rightful owner.
Sacred Drama: Performing the Bible in Renaissance Florence
Discover how theatrical performances of the Bible were used to shape future citizens in Renaissance Florence.
Noblewomen and the Bible: Seven Stories from the House of Stolberg
Explore the role of the Bible in the lives of seven fascinating noblewomen from one of Germany’s oldest dynasties.
Amazing Grace: How Sweet the Sound
Museum visitors learned how John Newton's famous hymn, “Amazing Grace,” which resonates in the hearts and on the lips of so many, reached depths far beyond any that Newton would have imagined.
The Living Dead: Ecclesiastes Through Art
Visitors explored themes from the book of Ecclesiastes through early modern art.
The Art of the Gospels by Makoto Fujimura
A contemporary art exhibition which highlighted the work of Makoto Fujimura as he revisited the legacy of illumination and explored the Bible as a source of creative inspiration.
In the Valley of David and Goliath, Bible Lands Museum
Visitors explored artifacts from an archeological site in the Elah Valley, the region where David defeated Goliath.
Amsterdam: A City of Jewish Books
This exhibition, presented by the Jewish Historical Museum, highlighted some of the most important and beautiful Jewish books from the Ets Haim and the Biblioteca Rosenthaliana collections. Learn more about this past exhibit.
Christmas Illuminated: Prestigious Manuscripts from around the 15th Century in the Bavarian State Library Collection
Visitors explored the Christmas story through rare and precious illuminated manuscripts from the collections of the Bavarian State Library.
Unser Buch
The Unser Buch exhibit brought a piece of Martin Luther back to Germany in time for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Displayed in Augsburg and Wittenberg, Germany.
Passages
Passages was a 30,000-square-foot, interactive exhibit that chronicled the remarkable history of the Bible, from its transmission and translation to its impact and controversies. Displayed in Santa Clarita, California.
La Biblia II
Rare texts and manuscripts from one of the world's largest private collections of biblical artifacts were on display at the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Ascunción, their first time on public display in Cuba since diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba were restored in 2015. Displayed in Santiago, Cuba.
Verbum Domini II
Museum of the Bible joined with the World Meeting of Families—Philadelphia in 2015 to present Verbum Domini II, an exhibit emphasizing how the Bible has spread to different cultures around the world. Displayed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sacra Pagina
Sacra Pagina traveled to several universities in 2015 and highlighted ways people both in and out of the academic community approach and study the Bible. Displayed in universities across the US.
Book of Books
Book of Books presented the relationship between Jewish and Christian faiths by tracing the transmission of the biblical text over the last two millennia, from the Judean wilderness to the whole world. Displayed at Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem.
Verbum Domini I
Verbum Domini I: God's Word Goes Out to the Nations brought together over 200 rare and historical artifacts to tell the history of the Bible's journey across the globe. Displayed in Braccio di Carlo Magno, Vatican City.
La Biblia
The Bible: The Way of God in the Way of Man showcased the transmission of the Bible. Museum of the Bible presented this landmark exhibit for three weeks at the historic Havana Cathedral in partnership with the American Bible Society and the Archbishop of Cuba. Displayed in Havana, Cuba.