Places and figures from ancient stories awaken such unique curiosity in us. Whenever these mysteries are researched, we’re left wanting more.
When the findings are relevant to イエス・キリスト, there’s a whole new level of interest that comes with it!
Bethsaida was, indeed, found twice, as confusing as that sounds.
Years ago, this ancient finding made headlines, but the archaeologists weren’t definitely sure they’d found the biblical site.
Now, a decade later, they report there is no doubt!
1. A Decade of Excavation
Many archaeological discoveries happen at once, taking the world by storm! It wasn’t like that with Bethsaida.
以来 2016, a team of international archaeologists has been patiently working on the site known as El-Araj.
Since the beginning, the location suggested that the village より gospels was right there, but for a long time, they couldn’t be certain.
The discovery was made the hard way: putting together mosaics and gathering coins. This went on for years until the evidence left no room for doubt.
Biblical historian, Steven Notley, said that they never discovered a single thing that made them doubt the site wasn’t Bethsaida.
Every layer they discovered just made them more confident.
2. The Fishing Village Bethsaida
Before it was anything else, Bethsaida was a fishing town.
Archaeologists uncovered thousands of lead weights, the kind used to sink fishing nets. All of this was very typical of Jewish life in the 1st century.
The name of the town even means house of the fishermen in Aramaic.
Everything about it seems so ordinary, and that’s exactly why it feels so real.
Christ’s disciples who grew up there didn’t come from wealth or a noble background. They were fishermen’s sons, living off the Sea of Galilee.
3. How Bethsaida Became Julias
As excavation continued, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a Roman bathhouse, public buildings, along with more than two hundred coins scattered everywhere.
These things paint a picture of a settlement that changed under Roman rule, eventually becoming a proper city, known as Julias.
This discovery provided researchers with an actual timeline of Bethsaida’s progress.
The coins are still being studied, and they will actually give the historians a precise timeframe.
4. The Mosaic of Peter
Beneath the surface, archaeologists also uncovered the remains of a large Byzantine basilica.
Inside, they found a mosaic with an inscription that read: “Head of the Apostle and Keeper of the Keys of Heaven.”
People who built it did nothing for a reason. In fact, early pilgrimage accounts describe a church built over Peter’s house in Bethsaida!
This is the kind of monumental discovery researchers dream of their entire careers!
This doesn’t prove that Peter Simon lived right there, but it does suggest that the people who created the mosaic thought so.
They believed so strongly that they built a church on that spot.
5. The Walls Beneath the Church
Beneath the basilica, archaeologists found the remains of houses dating back to the 1st century.
This matches the period when the apostle Peter and his brother Andrew lived in Bethsaida.
Researchers believe these could be the very homes they grew up in, or at least homes belonging to their community.
Early Christian churches were built in locations that were already considered holy. We can see that throughout the world.
For instance, old churches in Europe were frequently built on the foundations of older pagan temples.
It’s not too out there to assume that this very church was built over the most important holy site in Bethsaida.
6. The New Testimony
In the New Testament, Bethsaida is mentioned として frequently as Jerusalem and Capernaum!
Several of Christ’s disciples came from this town, including Peter, Andrew, そして Philip.
The Gospels describe イエス healing a blind man here, and the feeding of the five thousand.
These are some of the most retold miracles in the Bible!
This is exactly why the researchers were willing to put an entire decade of work into it. It’s too important to be forgotten.
7. The Last Lost City of the Gospels
Bethsaida disappeared from historical records centuries ago. Even the early pilgrims weren’t sure exactly where it was supposed to be in the Holy Land.
Other major locations the Gospels mention were all identified and confirmed, before their excavations even began!
Bethsaida remained the exception and a mystery, until 2026.
Some historians dubbed it the lost city from the Gospels, which makes this discovery feel even more meaningful.
8. An Accidental Discovery
This might be the most interesting part!
So, the archaeologists have already been working on the excavations for years, looking for proof that they had found Bethsaida.
Each finding gave them more hope, but major discoveries still evaded them. Until the 山火事.
In 2025, an unexpected wildfire happened in El-Araj, doing serious damage to the vegetation that covered the site.
After coming to inspect the damage, the researchers discovered the fire had done them a favor!
It finally allowed them to see the full extent of the ancient city, stretching across at least six hectares.
A little Aquarius, devoted to writing and embroidery. Through my writing, I hope to empower readers to align with their true selves and navigate life’s mysteries with confidence.