An in-depth look at the Bible events, location, and discoveries of ancient Bethsaida at the El Araj site. Peter, Andrew, and Philip were from this fishing town, and then later moved to Capernaum. This new location of Bethsaida has been recently discovered and we believe it is the true location. DONATE: www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_...
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Location
1. Currently, there are two leading candidates for the true location of Bethsaida. Both are located on the northeastern side of the Sea of Galilee. The traditional site is called, "Et Tell" and the new location is called, "El Araj."
2. We know from the Bible that Bethsaida was in a desolate, remote place with little population.
Luke 9:10: The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them and withdrew apart to a deserted place of a city called Bethsaida.
3. The northwestern side of the Sea of Galilee was densely populated in Jesus’ time, but the northeastern side where Bethsaida was located was desolate.
4. Bethsaida was a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee. In fact, its name means “House of Fishing.”
5. In John 1:44, we find that at least 3 disciples were from here, “Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.” We also know that at least Peter and Andrew were fishermen, so they lived in Bethsaida to be close to the sea.
6. The traditional site of Bethsaida is located almost 2 miles from the Sea of Galilee.
• This presents a challenge as Bethsaida was a fishing village right on the Sea of Galilee.
• Some have suggested the water level was higher back in Jesus’ day, but this is not the case as Capernaum, Magdala, and other towns are right on the sea. If the water level had been higher, these other towns could not have existed.
• Pliny the Elder, a first-century Roman writer, called Bethsaida “One of four lovely cities on the Sea of Galilee.”
7. New archaeologic evidence is pointing to a new location for Bethsaida which places it close to the inlet of the Jordan River into the Sea of Galilee.
8. This new location of Bethsaida fits better with the biblical narrative than the traditional site.
Historical Background
1. Bethsaida was a fishing village with several hundred inhabitants during the time of Christ.
2. At least 3 of the 12 disciples were from Bethsaida.
John 1:44: Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
3. Later on, however, it appears these disciples moved to Capernaum to be closer to where Jesus lived.
Mark 1:21: And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching.
Mark 1:28: And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Places of Interest
1. Bethsaida - Traditional Location
2. Bethsaida - New Location
3. Feeding of the 5,000
4. Approximate place Jesus walked on the water
5. Capernaum
6. Tiberius
7. Magdala
8. Gennesaret
9. Sea of Galilee
Bethsaida in the Bible
1. Philip, Andrew, and Peter were from Bethsaida (John 1:44).
2. Jesus healed a blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-25).
3. Bethsaida was one of the 3 towns Jesus cursed because of their unbelief in Him after witnessing all His miracles (Matthew 11:21).
4. It was close by to Bethsaida where Christ fed the 5,000 ( Luke 9:12-17).
5. Not far from Bethsaida is where Jesus walked on the water and calmed the sea (Mark 6:48-51).