Synagogue Where Jesus Preached Uncovered

 David Lazarus  ISRAEL TODAY

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A synagogue where Jesus likely preached has been uncovered on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. The 1st century Jewish house of prayer was discovered amidst the ruins of the ancient town of Magdala, home to the most well known female disciple of Jesus, Mary Magdalene.

"This is the first synagogue ever excavated where Jesus walked and preached," said Father Eamon Kelly of the Catholic organization developing the property. "This is hugely important for both Jews and Christians,” he added. The synagogue is one of only seven dating back to the time of Jesus uncovered anywhere in the world.

There is a very high probability that Jesus preached in this very synagogue. Before Tiberius was built, Magdala was the only town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Matthew 15:39 tells us that Jesus landed here as he "he took a boat, and came to the coast of Magdala." According to the New Testament, Jesus traveled extensively through this area teaching and preaching in local synagogues.

Magdala is just a few kilometers south of Capernaum, the fishing village where Jesus met Simon Peter, and not far from the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached his legendary Sermon on the Mount. The town is also situated on the road that Jesus walked from Nazareth and Bethsaida to Capernaum.

This area is on the Via Maris - an ancient trade route that ran from Egypt along the Mediterranean and then up the western shores of the Sea of Galilee all the way to Syria. Jesus spent much of his time here as it provided an important opportunity for him to teach the multitudes passing through.

People tend to think of Bethlehem or Jerusalem as central places in the life of Jesus, but actually Jesus spent most of his life and ministry in the Galilee and northern Israel. "Eighty percent of Jesus' public life was right here," says Father Kelly, pointing to the Galilee region.

In the times of Jesus, the local synagogue was not just a place for prayer, but also a community center where people would gather to discuss the news or share information about current events. Whenever a new rabbi came to town, it was custom for him to come to the local synagogue meet with the people and teach.

According to archaeologists, the Magdala synagogue was destroyed in 67 or 68 CE by the Romans. A sculpted limestone relief depicting a menorah was uncovered in the center of the synagogue. It is the oldest stone-etched menorah ever found.

Archaeologists have also found fishing pools and Jewish ritual baths at the site, which is now open for visitors.

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Israel's Magdala Center Brings Gospel to Life - CBN

Israel's Magdala Center 

Brings Gospel to Life

By Chris Mitchell
CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief
Tuesday, February 11, 2014

MAGDALA, Israel -- Discoveries from a new archaeological dig are creating excitement in the area where Jesus began his ministry. The village is called Magdala (Migdal in Hebrew), and it's the home of Mary Magdalene.

"She lived here and she met Jesus here and she continued with Him. Yes, it's that place," senior Israeli archaeologist Arfan Najar, who oversees the excavation at Magdala, told CBN News.

Najar said the city lay hidden all this time by just a small layer of dirt.

"Some place almost you touch the surface and you have the wall, waiting for us for 2,000 years to when we are coming," he said.

The most important discovery in Magdala has been a synagogue dating back to the time of Jesus. According to archaeologists, it's the first one discovered in the Galilee.

"An expression that appears many times in several places of the Gospel, 'Jesus went around Galilee preaching in their synagogues," Father Solana, general director at the Magdala Center, explained. "So this is the closest synagogue to Capernaum where He lived. So it was likely He was here many times."

In the synagogue, the team discovered a 2,000-year-old treasure. They call it the Magdala Stone, and some archaeologists say it's the most important discovery in decades.

Magdala Stone

CBN News first reported on the stone just after it was uncovered in 2009. Father Kelly, of the Catholic order Legionnaires of Christ, showed CBN News a replica while overlooking the Temple Mount.

Father Eamon Kelly 

- Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center

"This particular Magdala Stone is the most important discovery ever made in relation to the Second Temple, the temple at the time of Jesus, which Herod redid. So that's quite the statement," Father Kelly said.

The Menorah (six-lamp candelabrum) on the stone is one of a kind, the first one discovered before the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. The Legionnaires of Christ own the land and are building an entire center at Magdala with an archaeological park, hotel and spiritual center.

Father Solana dreamed up the project and wants it to be a center for all.

"I'm pretty sure it's a gift for the world, for culture, for religions, for Israel of course," he said.

Visitors to the center see the Bible come to life.

"The altar is in the shape of a boat, a fisherman's boat," said Monica, a Christian pilgrim from Australia. "You're reminded of Jesus standing in the boat and preaching to the people on the shore."

Fisherman's boat on the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret)

Jane, another Christian from Australia, said "…the whole Gospel story has come alive for me here. It will never mean the same ever again."

Father Solana sees the motto of the center, "Duc in Altum," Latin for "go into the deep," as a message for today.

Jesus walks on water

"Somehow Jesus tells to all of us, 'Go into the deep, try again, you can. Go, go, go!'" he said. "So I think this a beautiful message that the world needs in this moment. Financial crisis, problems with jobs, many situations and we need to try again. God is on our side."

Watch here: Video on CBN News