Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, Church of the Primacy of Peter. Place Jesus Restored Peter and met with the disciples after His resurrection. Sites of interest include: Church of the Multiplication, Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, beach close-by to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, Heart-shaped stones by the beach, Rock Monument with carved Cross and verse above Tabgha, Mount of Beatitudes Tabgha: Church of the Primacy of St. Peter Photo Gallery Places of Interest Church of the Primacy of St. Peter Restoration of Peter Introduction 1. Welcome to the place where the risen Jesus met with seven of His disciples and prepared them a breakfast of fish and bread after they had fished all night. 2. It was here that Jesus restored Peter to fellowship with Him and entrusted him to feed His sheep. 3. We'll see the very place, according to tradition, where Jesus and His seven disciples met. 4. We'll go down by the seashore and reflect on the miraculous catch of fish Jesus performed just before calling them to land to eat, and the restoration of Peter. Location 1. Tabgha is located on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee. 2. There are seven springs found in this area, which provide one of the best places for fishing around the sea. 3. Some of the springs provided warm sulfuric water that caused the fish to gather here. It was also used for health purposes, and many came from far away to find healing and relief in its waters. 4. Waters from these springs were also taken to nearby fields and villages via canals. Historical Background 1. The first church was built here around 350 AD by the Byzantines. 2. At the base of the current church, opposite the main altar, the foundations of the first church are visible. 3. In around 808 AD, the church was referred to as the Place of the Coals. This name refers to the incident in which Jesus prepared a meal for the apostles, building a charcoal fire on which to cook the fish. 4. Also first mentioned in the year 808 AD are the "Twelve Thrones", a series of heart-shaped stones, which were placed along the shore to commemorate the Twelve Apostles. 5. The church survived longer than any other in the area, finally being destroyed in 1263 AD. 6. The church today was built in 1933 and incorporated parts of an earlier 4th-century church. Places of Interest 1. Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. 2. Floor Mosaics As visitors step inside the church, they are greeted by a stunning display of mosaic decorations adorning the floor. These intricate designs showcase the diverse flora and fauna of the region in vibrant colors, creating an atmosphere of reverence and beauty. The most famous mosaic, located near the altar, depicts a basket of loaves flanked by two fish, serving as a powerful symbol of the miracle the church commemorates. 2. Mensa Christi (Table of Christ) The church features a limestone rock projection in front of the present altar, which is venerated as a "Mensa Christi," meaning the table of Christ in Latin. According to tradition, this is the spot where Jesus is said to have laid out a breakfast of bread and fish for the Apostles. 3. Statue of Jesus and Peter Inscription: "Feed My sheep." 4. Beach close to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. 5. Stones by the Beach Just outside the church are six heart-shaped stones placed along the shore. Because these stones serve no structural purpose in their current location on the beach, archaeologists and historians believe they were salvaged from the ruins of older buildings (such as abandoned synagogues) and deliberately placed on the shoreline by early Christians sometime between the 5th and 9th centuries AD. Even though there are only 6 stones, they are traditionally known as the "Twelve Thrones" and were placed there to commemorate the Twelve Apostles. 6. Outside the church, by the beach, there are some stairs cut into this rock by the church. It’s believed that someone carved these steps in the second or third centuries, which is why in the year 381 AD, Egeria visited this area and reported that, “next to the Church of the Loaves and Fishes, which is nearby, there are some stone steps where the Lord stood". 7. Ancient Boat Docks The beach is flanked by two ancient piers constructed from black basalt boulders. That proves that this was a fishing spot during the time of Jesus, and it was on these piers that fishermen would embark and disembark from their boats. Restoration of Peter The disciples had returned to their home towns on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem. 2. They undoubtedly felt very depressed, lonely, and as if their whole world had come to an end. 3. Their beloved Master had been crucified, and they were left wondering what would happen now. 4. They probably called into question how they had spent their past 3 ½ years following Christ. 5. Peter especially felt depressed and spiritually sick. He had denied Christ his Lord and Master three times after he had just moments earlier said he would follow Him even to death. Restoration of Peter in the Bible 1. After Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, the disciples went back to fishing like old times. John 21:1–3: Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberius. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee [James and John], and two other disciples were together [7 disciples in all]. 3 "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 2. Jesus appears to the disciples. John 21:4–14: Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. 6 He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread [in John 18:18 Peter denied Christ by a charcoal fire]. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153 [according to Hebrew alphabetics, this number meant “I Am God”], but even with so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish [same food as the feeding of the 5,000]. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 3. Jesus restores Peter. John 21:15–17: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.” 4. This encounter was like the first time Christ called Peter to be His disciple. Luke 5:1–11: On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word, I will let down the nets." 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish , and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. Faith Lesson 1. Peter’s original calling to be a disciple and his restoration follow the same miracle pattern. Christ did this on purpose because He wanted Peter to remember his roots and beginning. 2. Christ was the one who reached out to Peter and took the initiative to restore him. 3. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him 3 times because Peter denied Him 3 times. 4. God realizes we are human and make mistakes. 5. The main thing God looks for in restoration is a spirit of repentance and a contrite, humble heart. 6. Am I in need of restoration in some way? 7. Do I understand that God is more interested in my restoration with Him than I probably am?

St. George’s Monastery is a Greek Orthodox cliff-hanging complex carved into a sheer rock wall in the Judaean Desert that overlooks an unexpectedly lush garden with olive and cypress trees. It’s one of the most striking sights in the Holy Land. It's nearby to Jericho and was located on the road leading from Jericho to Jerusalem. It was on this road that the story of the Good Samaritan takes place as told by Jesus. Inn of the Good Samaritan commemorates this event. St. George's Monastery Photo Gallery Places of Interest St. George’s Monastery Location 1. St. George’s Monastery is located about 2.5 miles (4 km.) west of Jericho in a deep and breathtaking gorge called “Wadi Qelt.” 2. It’s located on the ancient road connecting the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem and beyond. Jesus would have used this well-traveled road regularly. 3. The story of the Good Samaritan took place on this road. For more on this story and event, please see the Inn of the Good Samaritan. Historical Background 1. St. George’s Monastery is a Greek Orthodox cliff-hanging complex carved into a sheer rock wall in the Judaean Desert and is one of the most breathtaking sights in the Holy Land. 2. Starting in the 4th century, monks began to live in the many caves of Wadi Qelt. 3. The monastery of St. George was founded in the 5th century by John of Thebes, an Egyptian. He gathered a small band of five Syrian hermits who had settled around the cave where they believed the prophet Elijah was fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:1–7). 4. Tradition also holds that Elijah visited the cave by the monastery while traveling to the Sinai Peninsula as he fled the threats of Jezebel after he had killed the false prophets of Baal and Asherah (1 Kings 19:1–3). 5. However, it was named after its most famous monk, St George of Koziba, who came as a teenager from Cyprus in the 6th century to follow the ascetic life in the Holy Land after his parents died. 6. The monastery was destroyed in 614 AD by the Persians and was more or less abandoned after the Persians swept through the valley and massacred the fourteen monks who dwelt there. The bones and skulls of the martyred monks can still be seen today in the monastery chapel. 7. The Crusaders made some attempts at restoration of the monastery in 1179. However, it was abandoned after Muslims regained control of the Holy Land and drove out the Crusaders. 8. In 1878, a Greek monk, Kalinikos, settled here and restored the monastery, finishing it in 1901. History of Christian Monasticism 1. Today, in Israel, there are 33 functioning monasteries. During the 4th century, there were hundreds of monasteries built as almost every holy site had a monastery on it. 2. Because Christianity was prohibited in the Roman Empire before Constantine embraced Christianity, no monasteries or churches were permitted until 313 AD. After this point, monasteries sprung up everywhere throughout the empire. 3. The idea of a monastic lifestyle was taken from both the Old and New Testaments. The Nazarite Vow The prophets (Elijah being fed by ravens in the desert). John the Baptist living in the desert. Christ fasting for 40 days in the desert. 4. There were also the Essenes who lived in the desert by the Dead Sea at Qumran during the time of John the Baptist and Jesus. 5. Monasticism took on different forms and meanings throughout its history. Some lived like hermits all alone. Later, many lived in monasteries in communal groups. They withdrew from society to live a separated life fully devoted to seeking the Lord and becoming godly. Over the years, monasticism changed so that many monasteries prepared men and women for a life of service to God. They would live in the monastery for a few years then go out to serve the Lord. Monasteries were not always Catholic. There were many monasteries before Catholicism became what it is today, and there were different kinds of monasteries from different religious orientations, i.e., Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Armenian, etc. 6. In general, monasticism is a religious way of life wherein a person denounces worldly pursuits and fully devotes themselves to seeking the Lord through religious vows and disciplines. 7. The word monk, or monastery, originates from Greek (monos) and means to “dwell alone.” 8. In different periods of monasticism, some chose lives of celibacy as well. Places of Interest 1. St. George’s Monastery It is quite a hike down into the gorge to see the monastery, so only those in good physical shape should attempt it. It can also be extremely hot through the Spring to Fall seasons as well. 2. Lookout – Just to the west of the parking area is a trail that leads to a beautiful lookout area over the monastery for those just wanting to see the site without hiking down to it. 3. Monastery Upper Level – Elijah’s Cave 4. Monastery Middle Level – Main Church 5. Monastery Lower Level – Storehouses and vault where the remains of the early monks are kept. 6. Stairs from the inner court of the monastery lead to the cave-church of St. Elijah. From this cave, a narrow tunnel provides an escape route to the top of the mountain. 7. Wadi Qelt – Fertile ravine where small-scale farming and irrigation takes place. 8. Caves where monks lived. 9. Small Chapel St. George’s Monastery In the Bible 1. It seems very unlikely that St. George’s Monastery is the location where God supernaturally fed Elijah by ravens. The Bible says the place was east of the Jordan River, and St. George’s Monastery is west of the Jordan River. 1 Kings 17:1–7: Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 2 And the word of the Lord came to him: 3 “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan . 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan . 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. 2. It is possible Elijah stayed in the cave at St. George’s Monastery when he fled after being threatened by Jezebel, but it’s not certain. 1 Kings 19:3: Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. Faith Lesson from St. George’s Monastery 1. We can certainly admire those who took God so seriously that they often sold their possessions and chose a life of solitude and strict discipline to seek the Lord. Do we love the Lord to such a degree we are willing to give up whatever God might ask us so we can be more devoted followers of Him? 2. Do we set time aside to remove the distractions of life and just seek God? 3. While it’s good to set time apart for solitude and seeking the Lord, we are also called to be in the world but not of it. Are we doing a good job of being in the world but not a part of its values and philosophies? 4. Are we disciplined in our Christian lives? 5. While monasticism has many admirable qualities, it does have some unbiblical concepts. For some, it was a withdrawal and escape from society. Like Christ, we are called to influence society and be lights to the world. Are we influencing those around us with the light of God’s Word and His love? And are we fulfilling the Great Commission in one way or another? 6. Are we part of a Bible-believing church community where we can grow and serve others?

Mount Arbel, by the Sea of Galilee, is the most likely place Jesus gave the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Magdala, Gennesaret (Ginasor), Place where Christ called several of His disciples, Chorazin, Tabgha - The likely place Christ restored Peter to ministry, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Bethsaida Lookout, Feeding the 5,000, Feeding the 4,000, Kursi, Horvat Susita, Place Jesus walked on water and calmed the sea. Mt. Arbel Photo Gallery Places of Interest Mount Arbel Introduction Welcome to Mount Arbel. This is a significant site in the Bible where one of the most important events occurred. 1. It's the believed place where Christ gave the Great Commission. 2. It has a breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee, where you can see all the major sites around it. 3. Christ spent around 70% of His ministry time around its shore. We'll look at these places and soak them in. Location 1. Mount Arbel is located on the west side of the Sea of Galilee and the tallest mountain around the Sea of Galilee. 2. It has a spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee, which is about 8 miles (12 km.) wide, and about 13 miles (21 km.) long. 3. It rises about 1,200 ft. (365 m.) above the Sea of Galilee. 4. It has on its eastern side a cliff that drops right down to the Sea of Galilee basin. 5. This cliff has many natural caves that have been used throughout history for battles and protection purposes. Historical Background 1. History and tradition locate Mount Arbel as the place where Christ gave the Great Commission mandate to go into all the world and preach the gospel. 2. Many theologians believe this is the place because it is the tallest mountain in the area and provides a perfect view of the Sea of Galilee. 3. Because Christ spent around 60% to 70% of His ministry time around the Sea of Galilee, Mount Arbel would have provided the perfect backdrop as Christ gave His disciples the powerful Great Commission mandate. From this location, we can easily see the following: Magdala Gennesaret (Ginasor) The area where Christ likely called several of His disciples Chorazin Tabgha - The likely place Christ restored Peter to ministry Mount of Beatitudes Capernaum Bethsaida Bethsaida Lookout Feeding the 5,000 Feeding the 4,000 Kursi Horvat Susita Where Jesus walked on water and calmed the sea 4. The Great Commission was one of the last contacts Christ had with His disciples, which shows the importance of this commandment. 5. The cliffs of Mount Arbel have natural caves that have been used as shelters for rebels against Herod the Great, revolts against the Romans, and later periods. The ruins of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine villages lie below the cliffs and on its southwestern side. Places of Interest (Please See Maps Above) 1. Park Entrance 2. Lookout location 3. Arbel Cliffs 4. Magdala 5. Sea of Galilee 6. Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine villages that lie below the cliffs. 7. Ancient Synagogue 8. Fortress 9. Hiking trail Mount Arbel in the Bible 1. Mount Arbel is the believed place where Christ gave the Great Commission. Matthew 28:16-20: Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 2. What does the phrase “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” mean? Colossians 1:15–17: He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation [ The Greek word for “firstborn” is proto-tikto which would give us the meaning of “pre-eminence,” and that is what we find here in Colossians 1:15. The Greek word for “first created” would be proto-ktizo, and it is not used here]. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him, all things hold together. Christ is the image of the invisible God. He is God in the flesh so we can understand and know Him better. Christ created all things in heaven and on earth. He created all thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities, and rules over them. He is the head of all things. All of creation is held together and sustained by His power. 3. During Christ’s ministry on earth, He performed every class of miracle to show He was Lord of every aspect of creation. Sickness – Christ healed every kind of sickness among countless people. Demons and the demonic world – Christ repeatedly cast out demons from many people. Weather – Christ calmed the sea and storms. Nature – Christ cursed a fig tree, and it died. Animals – Christ cast out demons into a herd of swine, He performed the miraculous catches of fish, and He rode into Jerusalem on an untamed donkey. Food – Christ fed 5,000 and 4,000 people. The authority to forgive sins. Only God has this authority, so Christ showed Himself as being fully God. Death – Christ raised numerous people from the dead, and He Himself rose from the dead. 4. Every knee in heaven and earth will bow before the authority of Christ. Philippians 2:9–11: Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 5. Based upon the authority that Christ possesses, He commands us to go and make disciples. Matthew 28:19–20: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Faith Lesson from Mount Arbel 1. All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Christ. Do we truly believe this? 2. We are all called to be missionaries. Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 3. Missionary means “Sent One.” 4. Most missionary work is done locally in our own Jerusalem, as most are not called to foreign missions. 5. Just because we are not foreign missionaries does not mean we aren’t a missionary at our local level. 6. Making disciples entails evangelizing. 7. In supporting foreign missions, there are a few ways we can be involved: We can be goers. We can be supporters by helping financially. We can be encouragers to those in the field. We can be helpers when missionaries return from the field and need help back home. We can be prayer supporters. Am I involved in foreign missions in at least one of the above ways? 8. In fulfilling the Great Commission, it’s not just enough to be a good person and hope our life will show others we’re different. We are commanded to go and speak! 9. While baptism does not save us, we are to emphasize it and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Have I been baptized and encourage others to be baptized as well? 10. We are to teach others to obey all Christ has commanded. Am I involved in doing this? 11. We have the promise that the one who has all authority in heaven and on earth will be with us as we go to evangelize and make disciples. We should realize that: We are not alone in fulfilling the Great Commission but have Christ present and supernaturally helping us. We have all the power and authority necessary in Christ, our helper, so we don’t need to fear any demonic or contrary force. 12. Do I realize Christ is with me in every aspect as I strive to fulfill the Great Commission?

See and learn about the famous Madaba Map! Madaba, in Jordan, possesses the oldest map of the Holy Land and beyond. Located in St. George's Greek Orthodox Church, it's made of small tiles and is extremely accurate. Madaba: Madaba Map & St. George's Church Madaba: Madaba Map & St. George's Church Location 1. Madaba is about 25 miles (40 km.) east of Jericho and 20 miles (32 km.) southwest of Amman, Jordan. 2. It's located on the King's Highway, a famous road that linked Africa and Egypt with Asia and Europe. This was a major traffic and trade route during ancient times. 3. Modern roads today still follow the same route as it provides the best geographical way to navigate the natural terrain. Historical Background 1. Madaba can be traced back at least 4,500 years. The ancient settlement, now mostly buried ben eath the modern town, lies on a natural rise created by branches of the Wadi Madaba. 2. Madaba has a long history. It once belonged to the Moabites, Nabateans, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Muslum rule, and today, is home to the biggest Christian community in all of Jordan, proportionally speaking. Catholics and Greek Orthodox Christians make up around 10 percent of the total population of Madaba. 3. Accounts of Christians living in Madaba can be traced back to around 200 AD. Partial evidence for this can be found in the Acts of the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. They appear to have erected sites of worship in the area. Later, during the Byzantine period, around 350 AD, they erected a church where St. George's Church is located today. 4. During the 5-8 centuries AD, many mosaics were built in Madaba, causing it to be called "the City of the Map, or Maps." The most elaborate and famous of these mosaic maps is located where the Church of St. George is today and is called the "Madaba Map." 5. The Byzantine church known today as St. George's Church stood on the very spot of this famous mosaic map but was destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century. After this, it lay largely abandoned for many centuries. It stayed desolate until the 19th century when its remnants were discovered. 6. In the 1880s, tensions arose between Muslims and Christians in the city of Karak, Jordan, and the Christians were forced to leave and relocate to Madaba. These Christians wanted to build churches but only were allowed to do so on the condition that these churches were built on sites where churches had once stood before. 7. These Christians originally lived in caves as they had no homes yet. However, as they began building homes, they often did so over the foundations of ancient structures. In so doing, they came upon mosaic after mosaic. Many were incorporated as floors in the new houses being built by the settlers. The announcement in 1897 of the discovery of the famous "Madaba Map" of the Holy Land, dating to the Byzantine era, created a sensation. By the end of the century, the majority of the known mosaics of Madaba had been at least partially uncovered. In most cases, they were preserved and can be seen today. 8. At the heart of Madaba is St. George's Greek Orthodox Church. The church broke ground in 1884 when the Greek Orthodox community saved enough funds to start construction. But to the surprise of the builders, under it were the remains of a Byzantine Church dating back to the 3rd century AD. It was on the floor of this ancient Greek church that the earliest, most extant map of Israel and surrounding areas were found that today is called the "Madaba Map." It has 157 captions (in Greek) depicting all the major biblical sites of the Middle East. This mosaic map is dated to around 560 AD. It was originally around 66 ft. (20 m.) long and 20 ft. (6m) wide. It once contained more than two million pieces, but only one-third of the original mosaic has survived. Sites of Interest 1. St. George's Greek Orthodox Church Famous Madaba Map The Madaba Mosaic is located in the apse of St. George's Church. As you approach the map, you will discover that it is oriented to the east (most tourists assume northwards). Therefore, your east is the top of the map, and the north falls on your left-hand side. In the center of the map, there is a very detailed description of Jerusalem. At the center of the map is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which marks the place of Golgotha, where Christ was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. On the right side of Jerusalem, you will find Bethlehem, and on the left, you will see Jacob’s well. In the upper-middle part, there is the Sea of Galilee with two boats. 2. Madaba Visitor Ce nter Madaba’s visitor center is worth a visit to learn more about Madaba’s history and its mosaics. It's located in a scenic, renovated traditional house and is right next to St. George's Church and the Archeological Park. 3. Madaba Archeological Park While the map of Madaba in Saint George’s Church gets most of the attention, some claim that the most beautiful mosaics are at Madaba’s Archeological Park. Here you can find some of the oldest mosaics in Jordan. The site has some Roman ruins as well as the remains from the church of the Virgin Mary. Some of the most beautiful mosaics are in the Hippolytus H all, where you can find another famous Madaba mosaic that tells the myth of Hippolytus. 4. Apostles' Church The largest mosaic floor can be found at the Apostles' Church. The church might look rather simple, but the inside is beautiful. The mosaic is dedicated to the twelve apostles and has lots of images, including animals and other interesting details. 5. Church of St. John the Baptist This Roman Catholic church is the only tourist place in Madaba where mosaics are not the main attraction. Although there is a small museum with some replicas, One of the biggest reasons to visit this church is to climb the bell tower. From the very top, it provides a spectacular view over Madaba. Madaba in the Bible Note: The Hebrew word for Madaba is Medeba 1. Madaba occurs in the Bible as part of a lament describing the conquest of a series of Moabite cities, including Madaba, by the Amorite King Sihon of Heshbon. Numbers 21:30 : But we have shot them down with arrows, Heshbon is destroyed as far as Dibon, then we have laid waste as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba ” [Madaba]. 2. Madaba was part of the inheritance of the 2 1/2 tribes of Isreal that settled on the east side of the Jordan River. Joshua 13:8-9: With the other half-tribe, the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance which Moses gave them beyond the Jordan to the east, just as Moses the servant of the Lord gave to them; 9 from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, with the city which is in the middle of the valley, and all the plain of Medeba [Madaba], as far as Dibon. Joshua 13:15-16: So Moses gave an inheritance to the tribe of the sons of Reuben according to their families. 16 Their territory was from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, with the city which is in the middle of the valley and all the plain by Medeba [Madaba]. 3. When King David wanted to show kindness to the son of Nahash, king of Ammon, his servants were humiliated. Then, the son of Nahash went to war with King David but was defeated at Madaba. 1 Chronicles 19:7: So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and camped opposite Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered together from their cities and came to the battle. 4. It was conquered by Israelite King Omri, as found in Numbers 32 and 2 Kings 3:4-27. 5. The prophet Isaiah pronounced judgment over Madaba. Isaiah 15:2: The people have gone up to the temple and to Dibon, to the high places to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and Medeba [Madaba]; Everyone’s head is bald and every beard is cut off.

Kadesh Barnea marks one of the most tragic moments in Israel's history. After witnessing countless miracles on a grand scale, the Israelites doubt God's power and are condemned to wandering in the wilderness for forty years as a result. Kadesh Barnea Photo Gallery Places of Interest Kadesh Barnea Location 1. Kadesh Barnea is located on the southern border area between Israel and Egypt. 2. It’s about 31 miles (51 km.) east of the Mediterranean Ocean and about 33 miles (53 km.) southwest of Beer Sheba. 3. Kadesh Barnea was the original place where God intended the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. 4. Today, a community lives at Kadesh Barnea, and the town retains its same name. Historical Background 1. At Kadesh Barnea, one of the most tragic events in Israel’s history happened. 2. It’s here they rebelled against God’s plan for them to enter the Promised Land. As a result, they were severely judged for their lack of faith and condemned to wander in the wilderness 40 years until those 20 years, and older, died. 3. The Israelites had seen many spectacular miracles. They saw 10 supernatural plagues God sent upon the Egyptians. They witnessed the first Passover wherein God spared the Israelites as they put blood from a lamb around the doors of their dwellings. They saw God open the hearts of the Egyptians so that they gave them many possessions. They experienced supernatural help to cross the Sinai Peninsula on eagle’s wings to reach the Aqaba finger of the Red Sea. They beheld a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide and protect them. They experienced the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea (10.5 miles wide, 17 km.) in which they were approximately 2,500 ft. (762 m.) under sea level in the midst of the depths and mighty waters of the sea (Isa. 51:10). They saw God supernaturally provide water out of a rock at Rephidim. God helped the Israelites supernaturally defeat the Amalekites as Aaron and Hur held up the arms of Moses. They stood in fear and trembling as God sent fire and smoke upon Mt. Sinai when he gave them the Ten Commandments written on stone by His own finger. They received supernatural provisions of Manna and quail in the desert. 4. The Israelites had been bathed in miracles for well over a year from the time they left Egypt until the time they reached Kadesh Barnea. 5. They had seen enough miracles to be able to trust God for anything. 6. However, despite all the miracles they had witnessed, they viewed God as too weak to help them enter the Promised Land and rebelled against Him. Places of Interest 1. Kadesh Barnea 2. Egypt 3. Sinai Peninsula 4. Aqaba Finger of the Red Sea crossing 5. Rephidim 6. Mt. Sinai 7. Israel Kadesh Barnea in the Bible 1. Twelve spies were sent into the Promised Land from Kadesh Barnea to give a report. Numbers 13:1–3: Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, 2 “Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel; you shall send a man from each of their fathers’ tribes, every one a leader among them.” 3 So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran at the command of the Lord, all of them men who were heads of the sons of Israel. 2. Ten Spies gave a report of the difficulty in possessing the land. Numbers 13:25–29: When they returned from spying out the land , at the end of forty days, 26 they proceeded to come to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh ; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 Thus, they told him, and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 Amalek is living in the land of the Negev and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.” 3. Two spies (Joshua and Caleb) give a report of faith. Caleb is the spokesman. Numbers 13:30: Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.” 4. The 10 spies convince the people that they are unable to possess the land. Numbers 13:31–33: But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us .” 32 So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. 33 There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” 5. The Israelites rebel against God and decide to return to Egypt as slaves again. Numbers 14:1–4: Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 2 All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt .” 6. Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb plead with the people not to rebel against God’s will for them. Numbers 14:5–10: Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel. 6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” 10 But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the Lord appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel. 7. God threatens to destroy the Israelites and make a great nation out of Moses’ offspring. Numbers 14:11–12: The Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? 12 I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.” 8. Moses prays on behalf of the people (Num. 14:13–19). 9. God forgives the Israelites but still judges them. Numbers 14:20–38: So the Lord said, “I have pardoned them according to your word ; 21 but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. 22 Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, 23 shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it. 24 But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. 25 Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.” 26 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 27 “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. 28 Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you; 29 your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me. 30 Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 Your children, however, whom you said would become a prey—I will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected. 32 But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. 33 Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness. 34 According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition. 35 I, the Lord, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. In this wilderness they shall be destroyed, and there they will die.’” 36 As for the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land and who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing out a bad report concerning the land, 37 even those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the Lord. 38 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. Faith Lesson from Kadesh Barnea 1. The reality of the judgment of God is sobering. God forgave the Israelites, but He did not remove the consequences of their disobedience. We frequently find this in Scripture, i.e., Moses striking the rock and David and his sin with Bathsheba. 2. There were approximately 1.2 million Israelites 20 years old and above who died in the desert over a 40-year period. This means there were 30,000 funerals per year, 82 funerals a day, and 7 funerals an hour. 3. God has written these examples in the Bible for our instruction today. Romans 15:4: For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction , so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 1 Corinthians 10:1–13: For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come . Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 4. Do I grumble and complain about God’s provision, trials, or difficulties He has sent my way? 5. Do I have faith that God can help me in whatever He has called me to do and be?

An amazing and sobering message from the cursed town of Chorazin. Take a tour and learn all about this place. See all the sites, learn about the history, places of interest, see videos and learn a faith lesson about Chorazin (Korazim). Sites of interest include: Mount Arbel, Magdala, Gennesaret, Tabhga, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Kirsi, Feeding the 5,000, Synagogue, Seat of Moses, Sea of Galilee Chorazin (Korazim) Photo Gallery Places of Interest Chorazin Introduction Welcome to Chorazin. Several significant events from the Bible took place here. These are the highlights. 1. Chorazin is one of the three towns Jesus cursed because of their unbelief in Him as the Messiah. 2. Christ performed many miracles and taught here frequently. It has one of the most preserved synagogues in Israel. Today, its ruins testify to the prophecy of Jesus that it would be cursed. 3. It has a well-preserved synagogue and other buildings. 4. An ancient "Seat of Moses" can be seen here. 5. I'm confident the people living here would give everything in the world to turn back the clock and recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Location 1. Chorazin (Korazim) is located about 2 miles (3 Km.) north of the Sea of Galilee. 2. From Chorazin, you can see the Sea of Galilee, Bethsaida, and some of Capernaum. 3. It’s located a little off the beaten path. 4. It was built out of black basalt stone, which was common in the Galilee area. 5. The construction of the homes in Chorazin is quite well preserved and shows how the home where Jesus lived in Capernaum might have looked. 6. The walls of the homes were stone, and the roofs were made of mud bricks or branches and leaves. 7. This area is very dry, and the water supply was essential for sustaining life in this town. A spring is located on the northeast side of the town, which was the source of the city's water in addition to the cisterns under the houses. 8. In the time of Jesus, Chorazin was about 15 acres (7 hectares) in size and had an estimated population of around 500–1,000. Historical Background 1. Chorazin was one of the three towns (Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum), which made up what scholars call “The Evangelical Triangle.” 2. Jesus set up His home ministry base in Capernaum, which was close to Chorazin. 3. Jesus spent around 50-70% of His ministry time around the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee so those in Chorazin would have repeatedly heard and seen all Jesus did. 4. A Tree with the kind of thorns that would have been used for the crown of thorns Jesus wore at His crucifixion can be found here. Places of Interest 1. Synagogue Most of the ruins we see today date back to the 3rd century. The most significant recent developments at Chorazin have come under the direction of archaeologist Achia Kohn-Tavor. By lifting the heavy basalt pavers of the 4th-century synagogue floor—a task previous excavators had avoided—his team discovered pottery and coins dating decisively to the 1st century AD. This suggests that the monumental synagogue was built directly atop an earlier public structure, likely the synagogue of Jesus' day. Jesus would have taught in this vicinity frequently. It has an ornamental shell, which would have been the top part of the cabinet where the Torah and Old Testament Scrolls would have been kept. A Medusa: Was from Greek mythology, and was generally described as a winged human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Supposedly, anyone who looked directly at the Medusa was turned to stone. The presence of the Medusa at this synagogue shows an assimilation with the Greek and pagan practices of the time. 2. Seat of Moses In the 1920s, the excavators discovered a unique artifact: a chair carved from a single block of basalt. This is identified as a "Seat of Moses," a piece of synagogue furniture mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 23:2: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat." From it, the Torah would have been read. The chair seen here is a replica of the original one found. The original is in a museum in Jerusalem. The “Chair of Moses” was a phrase used by Jesus to signify the place of authority that the Scribes and Pharisees had in interpreting the Law and exercising their authority over the Jewish people. Matthew 23:1–3: Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. 3. Synagogue to the West There was another believed synagogue located approximately 225 yards (200 m) to the west of the current synagogue. It was once thought to be used during the time of Jesus, but recent archaeology has dismissed this. 4. Mikveh baths 5. Residential homes 6. Public buildings 7. Sea of Galilee Chorazin in the Bible 1. Christ pronounced judgment upon the cities and towns that rejected the gospel. Luke 9:1-6: And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. 2. Jesus cursed those in Chorazin because they rejected Him, His teachings, and the many miracles He had done in their midst. Matthew 11:21-24: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Nevertheless, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. Nevertheless, I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you. 3. To whom much is given, much is required. Luke 12:48: Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. 4. Instead of being blessed, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum chose to be cursed. Today, each town is a testament to God’s curse upon them. Faith Lesson from Chorazin 1. Chorazin is a testament to Christ’s judgment on a people who rejected His teachings, miracles, healing, and salvation. Are we guilty of rejecting Christ and His teaching in some way? 2. Chorazin stands as a warning to us today not to do the same. Are we walking in close obedience, or living in casual obedience to Christ, or even disobedience? 3. In the same way this town lies in ruins, our lives will lie in ruins if we reject Christ and the life He offers. Are we genuinely living for Christ and putting His Word into practice? 4. It appears there will be different degrees of torment and judgment in hell because Christ said it would be more tolerable in the day of judgment for other cities than for Chorazin. What do you think? 5. Following Christ brings life and blessing, and rejecting Him brings death and destruction. Romans 8:6–8: For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Google interactive maps, video maps, printable maps, books, models, writings, teachings, and other maps and resources about the Holy Land. Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Negev, Dead Sea, Nazareth, Capernaum, Masada. Maps of the Biblical Sites Maps for Purchase Map of Israel Map of Jerusalem Satellite Poster of Israel In the Footsteps of Jesus Map Sea of Galilee Booklet & Map Via Dolorosa Booklet & Map Posters & Maps in General Maps for Viewing Map of the Holy Land During the Time of Christ Website with Many Maps of the Holy Land and Surrounding Areas Map of Abraham's Journey to the Holy Land Map of the Travel Locations of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph Travels of Moses and the Children of Israel Location of the 12 Tribes of Israel in the Holy Land Harmony of the 4 Gospels (Chronological timeline of events of the Life of Jesus) Biblical Sites for Christian Visitors Booklet Great Website for photos and info on the Holy Land

See all the sites and discoveries of Magdala by the Sea of Galilee. Learn about Mary Magdalene, one of Christ's most devoted followers. See how her life was drastically changed by Christ. Synagogue, stone with grooves (used for reading the scrolls in the synagogue), rare stone replica of the temple in Jerusalem, mosaics in the synagogue, scroll storage room, marketplace, fish market area, residential area, Mikvahs, harbor, Byzantine Monastery, Duc In Altum (Latin for "Put out into the deep") Magdala Photo Gallery Magdala Introduction Welcome to the town of Magdala. Many significant events from the Bible happened here. These are the highlights. 1. It was the largest city around the Sea of Galilee, so Jesus would have preached here regularly. 2. It has one of the most well-preserved synagogues in Israel. Magdala was the hometown of Mary Magdalene, from whom Christ cast out seven demons. 3. Mary became a devoted follower of Jesus and was the first one Christ appeared to after His resurrection. 4. Mary was likely a wealthy widow, as she followed Christ everywhere and financially supported the ministry of Jesus. 5. A strong case could be made that Mary was one of Christ’s most devoted and loyal followers. 6. It's a great place to put your feet in the Sea of Galilee. Location 1. Magdala, also known as Migdal and Magadan, is located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 2. It was located on the Via Maris (an International Highway linking Africa with Asia and Europe). 3. A massive tower foundation that may account for the city's name was discovered here . Both Magdala in Aramaic and Migdal in Hebrew mean tower. Historical Background 1. Magdala was one of the largest towns on the lake at the time of Jesus. Josephus reports that Magdala had a population of 40,000 people and a fleet of 230 boats. Excavations have uncovered the remains of a sprawling Roman city with mansions, paved streets, and a thermal bath complex. 2. History of the churches at Magdala. Around 350 AD, a Byzantine church was built on the site believed to be the location of Mary Magdalene’s house. The Byzantine church was destroyed around 640 AD. It was rebuilt by the Crusaders around 1150 AD. It was converted into a stable when the Crusaders were expelled from the Holy Land around 1291 AD. 3. Excavations first revealed this buried seaport city in the 1960s. Later, more of Magdala was discovered in 2009. 4. It’s believed a flash flood covered it sometime in the latter part of the 1st Century, as no coins or artifacts were found dating later than 67 AD. 5. It was a fishing village with one of the largest fish markets in northern Galilee. 6. It has one of Israel's oldest, most well-preserved synagogues. The synagogue was in use during Jesus' time, and He would have certainly preached here regularly. Matthew 4:23: And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 7. On one occasion, Jesus came to this area after feeding 4,000 people on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. Matthew 15:38–39: Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan (Magdala). 8. It has a rare stone replica of the temple in Jerusalem with detailed carvings showing different aspects of the temple. 9. Magdala was the hometown of the famous Jewish historian Josephus. 10. It was the hometown of Mary Magdalene, from whom Christ cast out seven demons. 11. It was the largest Jewish city around the Sea of Galilee. 12. The area around Magdala is called "Migdal," the Hebrew name for Magdala. 13. Magdala became a center of rebellion against Rome and a fortified base for rebels during the first Jewish revolt that began in AD 66. 14. In AD 67-68, three Roman legions commanded by Vespasian reached Magdala and surrounded the city. After its defeat, many of the rebels tried to escape by boat acros s Galilee with disastrous results. The Romans engaged them in a sea battle and killed so many that the water in the Sea of Galilee turned red with their blood. Another 1,200 were executed in nearby Tiberias. Of the remaining Magdala citizens, 6,000 were sent to build a canal in Greece, and 30,000 were sold as slaves. Places of Interest 1. Synagogue 2. Beth Midrash (teaching area in the synagogue) 3. Stone with grooves (used for reading the scrolls in the synagogue) 4. A rare stone replica of the temple in Jerusalem in the synagogue. A copy of it is now placed outside the synagogue in a glass case. Many symbols can be found carved into it. Westside (side facing seating area): Menorah Two pillars on each side represent the pillars at the entrance to the Holy of Holies. Jars likely represent storage for oil for the Menorah. Top of stone: Two trees represent the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden. Rosette represents the curtain to the Holy of Holies. Northside & Southside: Arches represent the entrance and exit to the temple in Jerusalem. Herodian Lamp, unique to Jerusalem. Eastside: Wheels with an explosion under them represent the Chariot of Fire, in which Elijah was taken to heaven. The Torah was read from this stone on Saturdays (Sabbath). 5. Well-preserved mosaics in the synagogue. 6. Scroll storage room in the synagogue. 7. Marketplace 8. Fishmarket area Aqueduct 9. Residential area The width of the streets in biblical times was measured by the width of two loaded donkeys passing by one another. 10. Mikvahs 11. Byzantine Monastery 12. Duc In Altum (Latin for "Put out into the deep") is a spiritual center in Magdala where all can worship. It has a unique Galilean boat as an altar and a beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee behind it. The boat is made out of cedar from Lebanon, in honor of the temple Solomon built with cedar from Lebanon as well. This center was built in honor of Mary Magdalene. One of its purposes is to honor and support women today. The Encounter Chapel, located on the lower level of Duc In Altum, is part of Magdala´s archaeological treasure. The floor is that of the original first-century marketplace of the Magdala port. The woman represented in this chapel was seeking healing and found it when she touched Jesus' hem. What a miraculous and life-changing encounter! Today, people can stand on the stones of the marketplace where Jesus walked and have a personal encounter as they experience Christ's historical and spiritual presence. 13. Byzantine Church Located beside the Duc In Altum center are the ruins of a Byzantine church built around 350 AD. The foundations, mosaic floors, and architectural fragments of the church are preserved and can be seen today. 14. Harbor and boat dock area by the seashore. Magdala (Mary Magdalene) in the Bible 1. Jesus preached in Magdala regularly. Matthew 4:23: And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. Matthew 15:38–39: Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan [Magdala]. 2. Jesus cast out 7 demons from Mary Magdalene. Luke 8:1–3: Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. 3. Mary was likely a wealthy widow as she followed Christ everywhere and supported the ministry of Jesus financially. 4. A strong case could be made that Mary was one of Christ’s most devoted and loyal followers. She followed Jesus everywhere and supported Him financially. She was present at the mock trial of Jesus, she heard Pontius Pilate pronounce the death sentence upon Jesus, she saw Jesus beaten and humiliated by the crowd, she was one of the women who stood near Jesus during the crucifixion to try to comfort Him, and she was the first woman Christ appeared to after rising from the dead. 5. Mary looked from a distance at Christ’s crucifixion and then moved in closer during His last suffering hours on the cross. Mark 15:40: There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. John 19:25: But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 6. Mary Magdalene helped buy expensive spices to anoint the body of Jesus after His crucifixion. Mark 16:1: When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 7. Mary was the earliest witness to Jesus's resurrection and was sent by Jesus to tell the others. Mark 16:9: When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. John 20:11-18: But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. 8. Even at the very end, Mary never lost her first love for Jesus. Revelation 2:4: But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 9. Mary also undoubtedly served Christ alongside the apostles for the rest of her life. Faith Lesson from Magdala and Mary Magdalene 1. Christ cast out seven demons from Mary. This changed her life forever and filled her with deep gratitude to Jesus. Are we grateful for what God has done for us as well? 2. Mary loved Christ profoundly and was one of His most devoted followers. She is the model of what it means to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Are we devoted to Christ as Mary was? 3. Mary supported Jesus’ ministry financially. Do we also support Jesus’ ministries? 4. Mary never lost her first love for Christ. Have we lost our first love?

This is the site early Christians venerated in the story of the Good Samaritan. It was proposed in the early Christian centuries as a place to commemorate this event and strengthen the faith of believers. Today, this place is called the Inn of the Good Samaritan. It has a museum with many mosaics and artifacts from other synagogues and discoveries. Inn of the Good Samaritan & Museum Photo Gallery Places of Interest Inn of the Good Samaritan Location 1. The Inn of the Good Samaritan is located about 8.5 miles (13.5 km.) east of Jerusalem on Hwy. 1 and about 6.5 (10.5 km.) west of Jericho. 2. The Inn is about halfway between Jerusalem and Jericho on an ancient road that linked traffic from the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem and the coastal towns of the Mediterranean Ocean. 3. The famous story of the Good Samaritan took place on this road. Historical Background 1. Interestingly, Jesus used real places and people in the story of the Good Samaritan, i.e., road, Jerusalem, Jericho, robbers, Samaritans, priests, Levites, and the Inn. Therefore, the possibility exists that the story was actually a real event that had happened. 2. The ancient road connecting the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem and beyond had an elevation difference of 3,400 ft. (1,036 m.). Jericho is at 800 ft. (244 m.) below sea level, and Jerusalem is at 2,600 ft. (792 m.) above sea level. 3. It was a dangerous road that was desolate in steep, curvy places with crooks, crannies, and caves where bandits and robbers could hide and get away easily in the desert. It also lacked police protection in many places. 4. It was about 15 miles (24 km.) between Jerusalem and Jericho. 5. Around 12,000 priests and Levites lived in Jericho who used this road whenever they were summoned to serve in the temple in Jerusalem. 6. The rocky desert terrain around the Inn of the Good Samaritan was notorious for robbers. The local name for the area is Ma‘ale Adummim, which means red rocks. It’s believed the name was derived from the limestone stained red by iron oxide, but it’s also believed its name is due to the amount of blood that was spilled here by bandits and robbers. 7. Jesus and His disciples would have used this road repeatedly as they traveled between Jerusalem and Jericho. 8. The Inn of the Good Samaritan Although it’s not certain that the inn Jesus mentioned in the story of the Good Samaritan was a real place, a site was proposed in the early Christian centuries as a place to commemorate this event. Today, it’s called the Inn of the Good Samaritan. The site was inhabited in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and remains from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD were discovered during the excavations of the Inn. In the 6th century, a Byzantine church and monastery with pilgrim accommodations were erected on the site of what was probably some sort of travelers’ hostel well before the time of Jesus. Later, the Crusaders built a fortress on a nearby hill to protect pilgrims against robbers. The remains of the monastery later became an Ottoman Inn. In the 1800s, the Ottomans built a rectangular structure over the ruins of the southern wall of the Crusader Fortress. The current museum at this site was opened in 2009. Places of Interest 1. Byzantine Church 2. Museum (has many mosaics and artifacts from around Israel) 3. Cave 1, 2 4. Crusader Fortress 5. Hwy. 1 6. Jericho 7. Jerusalem 8. Ancient Road from Jericho to Jerusalem 9. Wadi Qelt The Story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible 1. A lawyer (student of Scripture) tested Jesus regarding what a person had to do to receive eternal life. Luke 10:25-28: And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind [Deut. 6:5]; and your neighbor as yourself [Lev. 19:18].” 2. Attempting to justify himself, the lawyer asked a follow-up question about what the term “neighbor” meant. Luke 10:29: And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 3. To illustrate who our neighbor is, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-34: Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. The priests were the spiritual leaders and oversaw the temple. The Levites were servants in the temple. Samaritans were unfaithful Jews who intermarried with foreign unbelievers and established their own religion. The Samaritans were despised and rejected by the Jews and considered unclean. The Samaritans, likewise, despised the Jews and had few dealings with them. Any traveler from Samaria would have been regarded as an alien in Judea. Luke 10:35-37: On the next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same .” A denarius was about a day’s wage. Today, it would be around $200 dollars for an average worker. The Samaritan gave the innkeeper two denarii for a total of $400 dollars. The Good Samaritan was willing to spend even more money on the hurt man, meaning that what he had already given was just a start. Faith Lesson from the Good Samaritan 1. Our neighbor is anyone with a genuine need whom we find in our path. 2. The wounded man the Samaritan helped was not a family member, a friend, or an acquaintance; he was a total stranger. 3. The Samaritan spent a large sum of money to help heal the wounded man with no expectation or guarantee of being repaid. 4. It’s not what we see but what we do that makes us a neighbor. 5. Jesus emphasized that it’s not just what we believe that matters, but what we do that shows we are truly saved. 6. While we should help the wounded with physical needs, we should also help the wounded with their spiritual needs as well. The greatest need everyone has is salvation. Do we share our faith and give the greatest gift possible to those in need spiritually? 7. We should keep in mind that not every want or need others might have is legitimate. 8. God doesn’t want us to reward wrong motives and laziness. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11: For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat , either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all , but acting like busybodies.

Filmed in Israel on a Sea of Galilee boat ride! In-depth teaching of Jesus walking on water, calming the storm on the sea, Peter walking on water, feeding the 5,000, and more! See the mountain where Jesus prayed, where He fed the 5,000, Magada, Gennesaret, Tabgha, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Kursi, Sea of Galilee, and more. Matthew 14:22, Mark 6:45, John 6:16. Sites of interest include: Mount Arbel, Magdala, Gennesaret, Tabhga, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Kirsi, Feeding the 5,000. Jesus Walks on Water, Calms the Sea Photo Gallery Places of Interest Jesus Walks on Water and Calms the Sea Introduction Welcome to a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Two significant events from the Bible took place out on the water. Here are the highlights. 1. Jesus calms a storm on a boat ride from Capernaum to the country of the Gadarenes, where He healed two demon-possessed men. One of these men had a legion of demons in him whom Jesus cast into a herd of pigs, and they ran down a steep hill into the sea (Matthew 8:23-27). 2. The following account involves Jesus calming a storm and walking on the water. We'll focus on this account here (Matthew 14:22-36). Location 1. This miracle occurred in the middle of the widest part of the sea. John 6:19 suggests it was about 3–4 miles (5.5 km) from the eastern shore. The sea is about 8 miles (13 km) wide at its widest part, which would place them in the middle of the sea. 2. They were also far from land (Matt. 14:24). This means they were far from the northern part of the seashore as well. Historical Background 1. The disciples had just returned from an amazing time of preaching and healing throughout Israel (Christ had sent them out two by two). 2. Jesus took them to the eastern side of the sea, south of Bethsaida, to rest. However, instead of resting, a large crowd gathered, and Jesus taught them all day and then fed them. There were 5,000 men, not counting women and children, present, which means there were probably 15,000–20,000 people or more in total. Luke 9:10: On their return, the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida . 3. After Christ fed the multitude, they wanted to make Him King by force (John 6:15). However, what they had in mind was an earthly kingdom wherein the Romans would be overthrown, and Jesus would return them to their glory days. This was prophesied in Scripture, but Christ’s earthly kingdom would not be realized until His second coming. 4. The disciples were caught up in the frenzy of the crowd’s desire to make Jesus King, so He immediately sent them away by boat to the other side of the sea. 5. The disciples’ hearts were hard, and Scripture says they didn’t learn anything from the feeding of the 5,000 (Matt. 16:5–12). 6. After feeding the 5,000, Jesus went up on a mountain to pray. He likely prayed that His disciples would learn the lesson of faith He was about to teach them. This lesson would involve sending a storm and revealing His deity to them. 7. Jesus purposefully allowed them to reach a state of utter disaster, fear, and desperation so that what He was about to teach them would sink in deeply. 8. The narrative of Scripture would place the disciples sailing from the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee to the western shore. Places of Interest (Please See Maps Above) 1. Feeding of the 5,000 location. 2. The mountain upon which Jesus prayed. 3. Departure beach 4. Bethsaida 5. Capernaum 6. Place where Jesus walked on water. 7. Gennesaret 8. Sea of Galilee Jesus Walks on Water and Calms the Sea in the Bible 1. Immediately after feeding the 5,000, Jesus sent His disciples to the other side of the sea. Matthew 14:22: Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. Mark 6:45: Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. John 6:16–17: When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. The summary of these verses indicates that they were headed west to the other side of the sea. 2. Jesus went up on a mountain to pray. Matthew 14:23: And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. 3. Jesus sends a strong storm. Matthew 14:24: But the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. Mark 6:48: And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. John 6:17–18: It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 4. Jesus comes to the disciples walking on the sea. Matthew 14:25: And in the fourth watch of the night [3:00–6:00 am] he came to them, walking on the sea. John 6:19: When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat. 5. The disciples become terrified. Matthew 14:26: But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. 6. The emotional state of the disciples: They were already exhausted from their ministry of being sent out two by two. They had a long day of ministry. They rowed all night in a state of panic and desperation. They missed a night of sleep. It was still dark, so it was probably around 4:00 am. They feared for their lives. They were alone. It was dark. They were terrified when they saw Jesus walking on the sea. 7. Jesus spoke to them. Matthew 14:27: But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I [I AM, in Greek]. Do not be afraid." 8. Peter walks on the water for a moment. Matthew 14:28–31: And Peter answered him, " Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come. "So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 9. The disciples worship Jesus as Lord and Messiah. Matthew 14:32–33: And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Mark 6:52: And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded. This miracle was a major turning point in the lives of the disciples. The deity of Jesus was now deeply embedded in their hearts and lives, and they would never be the same. 10. Jesus and the disciples miraculously arrive at the other side of the sea at Gennesaret. John 6:21: Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. 11. After already being exhausted and missing a night of sleep, they had more ministry awaiting them. Matthew 14:34–36: And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. Faith Lesson from Jesus Walking on Water and Calming the Sea 1. Jesus embedded in the lives of His disciples that He was God. Do we believe in the deity of Christ and that He was God in the flesh? 2. Like Peter and the disciples, are we of little faith sometimes? 3. Like the disciples, we are often surrounded by serious problems. Do we realize Jesus cares for us during our storms? 4. Like the disciples, we can often feel tired and alone in our trials and problems. Do we understand that we are not alone and that God is caring for us? 5. Peter walked on the water for a moment and then took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm. Therefore, he sank into the water. Do we understand that to navigate the storms in our lives, we must keep our eyes on Jesus despite the raging problems around us? 6. Jesus sent the storm to teach His disciples who He was and their need for faith in Him. Do we understand that Jesus also sends us storms to teach us the same truths? 7. Jesus and the disciples often had long days of exhausting ministry. Are we willing to do the same?