Lecture focuses on sites visited during our tour of Israel: NT boat, Magdala, Chorazin, Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes & Tiberias

1. HOLY LAND TOUR
Lecture 3
LOWER GALILEE

2. $3,842
(incl all tips & taxes)
from Pittsburg
Where Jesus Walked
$4,099
(incl all tips & taxes)
from Tampa

3. LOWER GALILEE
• New Testament Boat
• Magdala
• Chorazin
• Capernaum (Capharnaum)
• Mount of Beatitudes
• Tiberias

4. A panoramic view taken from Mount Ari in the Upper Galilee towards the Lower Galilee
The location of the
Upper Galilee
region in Israel
Much of the ministry of Jesus occurred on the shores
of the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Gennesaret
(“princely gardens”) or Kinneret (“paradise”). In those
days, settlements and villages were continuously
developing around the sea to support a burgeoning
trade. Frequent ferrying the Sea of Galilee facilitated
lucrative businesses. The synoptic Gospels of Mark
(1:14-20), Matthew (4:18-22), and Luke (5:1-11)
describe how Jesus recruited 4 of his apostles from
the shores of the Sea: the fishermen Simon and his
brother Andrew and the brothers James and John.

5. The Galilee Boat (aka “Jesus Boat”) was discovered in January 1986
during a major drought at the Sea of Galilee by two brothers who
noticed a distinct oval shape in the recently-revealed mud.
Representatives of the Israel Department of Antiquities, who were
also noting the emergence of previously unknown harbors along the
drought-stricken shoreline, checked it out and confirmed that it was
the remains of an ancient fishing vessel.
To date, multiple studies have
placed the ancient vessel at 100 BC
to 100 AD. The structure and
features of the Galilee Boat are
consistent with the fishing boats
mentioned throughout the Gospel
accounts of the New Testament.

6. Chorazin was one of the three Galilean
cities cursed by Jesus, look down on the
northern end of the Sea of Galilee. Residents
of Chorazin lived within sight of Bethsaida
and Capernaum, two of the other cities in
what has become known as the “evangelical
triangle”, because most of Jesus teachings
and miracles occurred there.
Matthew 11:20–24 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works
had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,
Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and
Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will
be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you,
Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty
works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this
day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of
judgment than for you.”

7. One of the striking features of the
ruins of Chorazin is the remains of
an elaborate synagogue. It was
rebuilt in the 3rd or 4th centuries
AD, when the town was thriving.
An unusual find in the ruins of the
synagogue was the Seat of Moses,
carved out of a single basalt block,
from which the Torah would have
been read. On its back was an
inscription in Aramaic.

8. Magdala is the home of Mary Magdalene,
a disciple of Jesus, who witnessed most of
the events surrounding the crucifixion. She
was present at the mock trial of Jesus; she
heard Pontius Pilate pronounce the death
sentence; and she saw Jesus beaten and
humiliated by the crowd. She was one of
the women who stood near Jesus during
the crucifixion to try to comfort Him.
Mary Magdalene was the earliest witness to the resurrection of
Jesus. She was sent by Jesus to inform the other disciples (John
20:11–18). Although this is the last mention of her in the Bible, she
was probably among the women who gathered with the apostles to
await the promised coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14).

9. This synagogue in Magdala is currently the oldest excavated in Galilee and
one of seven from the first century in all of Israel. A coin minted in Tiberias
in 29 CE was found inside the synagogue, proving that the synagogue was
from the first century and the time of Christ’s ministry. Since the Bible tells
us that Jesus taught throughout the Galilee, it is certain that he taught and
frequented this very spot.
The synagogue is well preserved and included an entrance hall that also
served as a study room (Bet Midrash), and a chamber for storing the Torah
scrolls.
https://www.magdala.org/visit/archaeological-park/synagogue/
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went
about all Galilee, teaching in
their synagogues, preaching
the gospel of the kingdom,
and healing all kinds of
sickness and all kinds of
disease among the people.

10. One of the most significant recent archaeological finds in the Holy
Land, the Magdala Stone holds clues that has helped scholars
establish a more complete picture of first century Judaism. The
Magdala Stone is likely the earliest known artistic depiction of the
Second Temple.
The front of the stone depicts
the oldest carved image of
the Second Temple’s seven-
branched menorah ever
found, and it is this discovery
that has produced intense
excitement among the
archaeologists at Magdala.
https://www.magdala.org/visit/archaeological-park/the-magdala-stone/

11. Several buildings identified as mansions, most likely the homes of
Magdala’s wealthy merchants, are located along a street south of the
synagogue. One of the many impressive features of the city are three
mikvaots (ritual baths) which are the earliest ever discovered in the
country to use ground water.
https://www.magdala.org/visit/archaeological-park/mansion-and-mikvaot/

13. The red-domed church, built in 1931, marks the site of the ancient village
of Capernaum, and is dedicated to the apostles who lived in that area.
After leaving Nazareth Capernaum then became Jesus home town and
was the scene of many miracles (Matt. 4:21).

14. The octagonal building in this aerial photo is the modern-day church in
Capernaum. The church is built directly over the ruins of what were at
one time Simon Peter's house.
A large glass area has
been installed in the
floor of the church so
that visitors can look
down on the excavation
site.
Peter's house was not
small. When viewing
the ruins one can see
how there was room
for his 'mother in law'
and the other relatives
often mentioned.

15. Capernaum, or Capharnaum (lit. “Nahum’s village”) is a fishing village
on the Sea of Galilee, one of the most important places in the New
Testament in connection with Jesus’ ministry. The town is cited in all 4
Gospels (Matthew 4:13, 8:5, 11:23, 17:24; Mark 1:21, 2:1, 9:33; Luke
4:23,31, 7:1, 10:15; John 2:12, 4:46, 6:17,24,59). It was here that Jesus
performed many of His miracles recorded in the Gospels.
Matthew 9:1 identifies Capernaum as Jesus’
“own city.” It was also the hometown of four
apostles: Simon Peter, Andrew, James and
John.

16. Beneath the remains of this 4th century synagogue lies
the foundation of a synagogue from the 1st century,
perhaps the one mentioned in the Gospels. Jesus taught
in the synagogue in Capernaum and healed a man who
was possessed by an unclean spirit (Luke 4:31–36)

17. Luke 7:2–5 And a certain
centurion’s servant, who was
dear to him, was sick and ready
to die. 3 So when he heard
about Jesus, he sent elders of
the Jews to Him, pleading with
Jesus Healed The
Centurion’s Servant
Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came
to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one
for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves
our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

18. Excavations revealed one residence that stood out from the others.
This house was the object of early Christian attention with 2nd
century graffiti and a 4th century house church built above it. In the
5th century a large octagonal Byzantine church was erected above
this, complete with a baptistery. Pilgrims referred to this as the
house of the apostle Peter.

19. 2 types of millstones found at Capernaum
– the picture above is the most common
millstone. The grain is poured into the base and the millstone is
turned, pulverizing the grain. The picture on the right shows an
upper and lower Millstone. The upper Millstone since on a cone
shaped base. Grain is poured in the hopper and the upper Millstone
is rotated. The grain is ground into flour which turns out at the base.

20. Matthew 5:3–12
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs
is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are
those who mourn, For they shall be
comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For
they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are
those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall
obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in
heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed
are the peacemakers, For they shall be
called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those
who are persecuted for righteousness’
sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and
persecute you, and say all kinds of evil
against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice
and be exceedingly glad, for great is your
reward in heaven, for so they persecuted
the prophets who were before you.

21. Here Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7),
His longest continuous discourse recorded in the New Testament.

22. Founded by Herod Antipas (26 AD)
Named for Emperor Tiberius
Hebrew name: Tveria (‫טבריה‬) Hammat/Khamat - from the Hebrew
root word "Kham" - which means hot,
due to the hot springs.
Herod Antipas built palace (50 AD)

23. Tiberias is one of the four Jewish Holy cities, and the capital of the
Galilee. It has a long history since it was established in the early
Roman period. It was a religious, administrative and culture center
of the Jewish nation after the loss of Jerusalem for 500 years until
the Persian and Arab conquest. Many of the most important post-
bible books (Mishna, Talmud) have been composed in the city
which was the home of many Jewish scholars.
The new city buildings are seen in
the foreground, and behind them
is the Sea of Galilee. In the
background are the Golan heights.
Along the shore are the high rising
hotels (4 are seen in the right
bottom corner), which is where
the location of the old city.

24. Coin of Herod Antipas
The first coin was minted by Herod Antipas at Tiberias in
20/21 AD. The coin, seen here on the right, shows an
upright reed surrounded by Greek letters that read 'of
Herod Tetrarch'. Also it bears a date equivalent to 20/21
AD. It is made of bronze and is only 16 mms in diameter.
Presumably, the reed on the coin was intended to
indicate the location of the city, as reeds grew on the
shore of the Sea of Galilee.

25. Above is the southern walls and gate of the Roman and Byzantine
city. The 1st century Roman gate complex and a Roman bridge
were recently excavated and reconstructed, as part of the new
archaeological park.

26. To the north of the south gate are the ruins of the Roman Theater,
seen in the photo below. Constructed in the 1st century AD, enlarged
in the 2nd century, it had seating capacity of 7,000 people. It is also
recently excavated and reconstructed.

27. • There are few references of Tiberias of Jesus
visiting or acting in the city, which is initially
surprising (the city was the capital of the
area). This is due to the fact that there was a
small Jewish presence in the city at its
beginning.
• The city is referred in the context of the "sea
of Tiberias," another name for the sea of
Galilee after the city gained it fame and
importance. (Jn 6:1,23; 21:1).

28. Jerry Hunter
Associate Pastor of the Greenville Alliance Church
Greenville, PA 724-301-0174