Day 10 - October 6, 2026
A couple of morning stops for geographical reference today: along the Sea of Galilee to look at the upper NW corner that was primarily Jewish at the time of the New Testament vs the East side of the Lake which was Gentile, and where the Roman decapolis cities were located. Also stopped at the Bridge of Jacob’s Daughters over the area where the Jordan River feeds into the Sea of Galilee. Today this is further to the west than it was in Biblical times. This marked the divide between the Galilee and Golonidis (Golan Heights today).
Next we drove to the NW corner of the Sea to the ancient city of Capernaum. This was Jesus home base during his ministry and the home of Peter. Archeological excavations have demonstrated that a home at Capernaum through several expansions became an early place of Christian worship and this was likely the home of Peter. Today a modern church is built over the site. Also at Capernaum is a 4th c AD synagogue that is built on top of the foundations of a 1st c AD basalt synagogue where Jesus would have spoken with authority as a Rabi.
Nearby we boarded a boat for a hour sail on the Sea of Galilee and a closer look at the shoreline where the feeding of the 5000 and the sermon on the mount would have happened. A special experience… most of our lakes in Minnesota are much larger, but there is something extra ordinary here that I suppose can only be explained by the deep meaning the events around these waters have for us as Christians.
Much of the rest of the day was spent in the “Evangelical Triangle” made by Capernaum - Chorizin - Bethsaida. Along the lake, the area of 7 springs called the Heptapegon (or Tabgha) has several church commemorating events in Jesus ministry. Tabgha, church of loaves and fishes commemorates the feeding of the 5000. Peter’s Primacy commemorates Jesus appearing to Peter after the resurrection and sharing a breakfast of fish along the shore of the lake - reinstating Peter as leader of the early Christian church. We ate lunch at Gennesaret and saw the preservation of a fishing boat that dates to 50 BC - 50 AD. Also stopped at the Church of the Beatitudes which is located on top of a hill above a broad basin that is a possible site for the Sermon on the mount. A beautiful church and gardens. We had a short burst of rain with a blessedly cool wind for a few minutes.
We went a little south of the Evangelical Triangle to visit Magdala, home of Mary of Magdala. This would have been a more Gentile village, but a pre AD 70 synagogue was found here when ground was broken for a new hotel. They have excavated the synagogue including some mosaic flooring and the Magdala stone (only reproductions are on site). Also excavated are some residential areas and several mikveh.
Our last stop for the day was Chorazin. There is a 3rd - 4th c basalt synagogue with findings beneath the floor of foundations that go back to the 1st century BC - a new synagogue built on an old. There are olive presses here, mikvehs, interesting water management features and homes. It is possible now to walk a well marked and groomed trail from Chorazin to Capernaum, along the ancient route that Jesus and the disciplines would have walked…. We’ll save that for another trip! We also saw a Hyrax!!
A long day and we are all beginning to feel overwhelmed with all that we have seen and learned and are beginning to think of homecoming…two days left in the land of the Bible. Have a good night and God Bless! PB and Marge
Standing on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee looking toward the northwest “evangelical triangle” area of Jesus ministry.
