Beyond Nazareth and Capernaum, there were many other places in which Jesus’ preached (Matthew 9:35-38). During my 2015 trip to Israel, I was able to travel to some of these cities.
Tiberius
- A city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, halfway down the coast of the lake.
- The Sea of Galilee was also called the Sea of Tiberius (John 6:1; 21:1).
- Herod Antipas founded Tiberius between the years A.D. 18 and 22.
- Herod named the town after Tiberius, the reigning emperor, and successor to Augustus.
- Tiberius has been known for its hot springs, believed to cure skin and other ailments, for thousands of years.
Magdala
- Mary Magdalene was from Magdala (Matthew 27:56).
- Jesus taught in the synagogue in Magdala (Matthew 9:35).
- In 2009, a religious group that had received permits to build a pilgrimage house in Magdala unearthed a unique artifact named “The Magdala Stone.” This led to the discovery of the 7th known first-century synagogue and the buried town of Magdala itself!
- It appears that sometime after the Roman hostilities in the late A.D. ’60s, a mudslide from Mt. Arbal completely covered the city.
Chorazin
- Chorazin is a town just north of the Sea of Galilee.
- It is one of three Galilean towns that Jesus pronounced woe on because of their lack of faith and repentance (Matthew 11:20-24).
- Among the ruins of Chorazin was a carved stone seat with an Aramaic inscription in honor of the donor. This may be an example of “Moses’ seat” that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 23:2.
- Today the site has multiple houses with beautiful arches inside, a 3rd-century synagogue, and a purification bathhouse.
Bethsaida
- Bethsaida was a town on the North shore of the Sea of Galilee.
- Peter, Andrew, and Philip were from Bethsaida (John 1:44; 12:21).
- Jesus visited the town very early in His ministry (John 1:43).
- The town was the place where Jesus miraculously fed the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17).
- It, too, was a city Jesus cursed because the people would not repent (Matthew 11:20-21).
What can we learn?
- Women disciples are significant to God (Galatians 3:28; 1 Peter 3:7). This is a lesson we learn by studying the Lord’s interactions with Mary Magdalene (Matthew 27:55-56; John 20:1-18).
- Physically seeing Jesus cannot overcome a hard heart (Matthew 11:20-24).
- Jesus offers real satisfaction (Luke 9:17; John 6:35). Are you seeking the spiritual satisfaction He offers all?