Faith Bible Church

Cedar Rapids, IA

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Day 18

Day 18. Sea of Galilee: Boat ride; Magdala (home of Mary Magdalene); Capernaum; Corazin; Sermon on the Mount; Swimming in the Sea of Galilee.

Our vessel for our early morning boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
City of Tiberias
Teaching time – laying out the three political regions surrounding the Sea of Galilee (i.e., Golanitus, Decapolis, and Galilee). Dr Parker also talked about different fishing techniques.
Cliffs of Arbel, viewing from the water of Sea of Galilee looking southwest – we climbed down these cliffs yesterday
The cliffs of Arbel are in the background
1st Century synagogue at Magdala – archaeologists believe this synagogue was destroyed prior to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. Thus, Jesus could have been in this synagogue. This synagogue is a bit smaller than some other first century synagogues. It would be too small to handle the size of the town of Magdala. Recently, archaeologists found a second tabernacle here at Magdala. A synagogue was a collection of people to rehearse who God is and “who we are as the peop… See more
The Magdala Stone (replica). You will see it’s placement in the synagogue dig. It depicts aspects of the temple and would probably have served as a reminder of God’s presence with His people when they gathered at the synagogue. They may have possibly used this to roll out the scrolls of Scripture upon its face.
Duc In Altum Catholic Church is designed to honor the women in Jesus’ life. It is also set up with a boat as the altar, inviting the worshipers, who look out to the Sea of Galilee, to exercise the faith of the disciples depicted along its walls and step out in faith on to the Sea of Galilee with Jesus.
Judas depicted among the Twelve but without a halo
Fresco of Jesus with Mary Magdalene
Excavated 1st century rock upon which Jesus could have walked. The painting depicts the woman who touched the fringe of Jesus robe. See Luke 8:43-48.
Entering Capernaum – Jesus used Capernaum as a home base during his earthly ministry
This is an excavated 1st century home that was walled off. Some think this could be Peter’s house since it was marked off a couple hundred years later. This could mark a home church that met in Peter’s house. A church was built on top on stilts to honor the 1st century home below, thought to be Peter’s.
This is a 4th century synagogue built on the remains of 1st century basalt foundation of the first century synagogue.
Remains of the 4th century synagogue
Archaeologists pulled up a portion of the floor of the 4th century synagogue and found 1st century coins and foundation. So this is most likely the site of the synagogue of Capernaum where Jesus would have spent a lot of time
Matthew 18:1-6. The millstone could have been tooled right here in Capernaum, a vivid illustration in its setting. We looked at Matthew 10:1-4 at the list of disciples. They were diverse. Capernaum was diverse.
Barb at Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee
Mikveh at Corazin – worshippers would ceremonially bathe in a mikveh before entering the synagogue or in Jerusalem, the temple.
The seat of Moses (replica – original in Israel museum) was found in this 4th century synagogue in Corazin. This seat would be like that referred to in Mt 23:2. The teacher would read the Scripture and then sit down in the seat and talk about the text.
Wine press at Corazin
Ancient wine room in 4th century home. The homes would surround a courtyard
Standing in the courtyard where several homes would surround. This would be a family courtyard. This is 4th century and the courtyard would be larger than 1st century. This family insula would have the patriarch and the parents of the patriarch. When a son would become betrothed that son would add on to the family house and then bring home his bride to the new home. The new home would open up to the family courtyard. This gives us a better picture of John 14:1-2 where Jesus g… See more
Grinding stone – wood posts go inside the openings and spin the rock and grind the grain
Looking toward the Sea of Galilee from the north
Barb and I ended the afternoon with a swim in the Sea of Galilee