It appears that Jericho flourished in Ruman times as is shown in the remains of canals they dug and which can be seen at the River Kilt. In this period Jericho started to export dates. Jericho acquired a great importance in the time of Christ (may peace be upon him) as Jesus Christ Himself visited it and cured the eyes of two blind men, Bartimoeus and his friend. While He was in it He visited Zacchaeus the publican in his house. As Zacchaeus was of small statue he was forced to climb up a tree to see Jesus in the crowd. Jesus walked along the caravan rout between Jericho and Jerusalem, which was infested with thieves and highwaymen.
In the reign of constantine the Great (306-337 A.D.), the founder of constantinople, Christianity was spread in Jericho by monks and hermits who lived in convents and churches which they constructed to become a centre for the propagation of Christianity. In 325 A.D. it became the centre of a bishopric.