Page 113 - Bible Geography and Near East Studies

Bethsaida

Bethsaida was the birthplace of Peter, Andrew, and Philip.
Jesus visited this city quite often (Matt. 11:23-23, Mark 6:
45-53). There were two places in Israel given this name.
One was on the western side of the Sea of Galilee, a short
distance north of Capernaum. The other was a city located
on the east side of the lake, east of Capernaum. It was
originally a fishing village but was enlarged by Philip the
tetrarch and named Julias, in honor of Julia, daughter of
Augustus. It was near this city, probably on the hillside at
the southeastern side of the city, that the Lord fed 5,000
men, plus women
and children (Luke
9:10-17). A blind
man was given his
sight close to
Bethsaida (Mark
8:22).

Chorazin (Korazim)

This was an ancient village 2 ½ miles from Capernaum on a hill above the northern shore of the Sea of
Galilee. Here, Jesus performed mighty works, healing perhaps hundreds of the sick. Despite his works,
the people of Chorazin rejected Him as Messiah and were subsequently cursed (Matt 11:20-24). The
Gospels make no other mention of Chorazin or what works had occurred there. It was not long after
that Chorazin ceased to exist. It is now the site of a National Archaeological Park. The town’s ruins are
spread over an area of 25 acres with a synagogue in the center.

The picture is an ancient synagogue in Chorazin (By Lev. Tsimbler - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43433994)

Tabgha

This is an area on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is traditionally accepted as the place
where Jesus fed the 5000 and the fourth resurrection appearance of Jesus (John 21:1-24) after his
crucifixion.

Josephus referred to Tabgha as the “well of Capernaum.” Undoubtedly a popular fishing spot of the
locals because of its famous “seven springs,” Heptapegon (today the name has been corrupted to
Tabgha) is the traditional location for several episodes in Jesus’s ministry.

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