mmmm, there are others who know "every inch" of the bible far better. In my experience, the JW's are well-rehearsed on the verses they need to support their doctrines. There are whole whacks of the bible they are very weak on.
Oh yes, the JW's are very accessible to the casual searcher. That doesn't make them the experts. Does McDonald's provide the best food?
The story you relate smells of urban legend. It is not entirely accurate. Here is some more information on the Golden Gate:
"The gate was probably open during the Byzantine period, and the Emperor eraclius entered through it after taking Jerusalem in 629. After the Muslim onquest, when the Dome of the Rock and the EI-Aksa Mosque were built, it was blocked to prevent unsupervised access to the mosque area.
In the time of the Crusaders it was opened twice a year on Christian festivals: once in the spring, on Palm Sunday, recalling Jesus' triumphal entry to the city through this gate (St. Matthew XXI, 1-8); and once in the autumn, to commemorate the entry of the Emperor Heraclius. The gate was finally closed under Turkish rule."
http://www.templemount.org/visittemp.html