We Found the Real Bethsaida! Latest Archaeological Discoveries Revealed

Information about the Bethsaida and the el-Araj Excavations itself will be provided after this announcement. Due to the current situation and the ongoing war, I haven’t been able to guide tours in person as usual. However, I’m eager to continue sharing the rich and sacred history of the Holy Land through my videos. If you enjoy these journeys and would like to stay connected, I warmly invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel, where I bring Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Israel to life from wherever you are. For more insights and updates, follow me on Facebook and Instagram -I regularly share additional content, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments you won’t want to miss. If you feel inspired to support my work, your generosity helps me keep these videos coming. Whether through a simple subscription, sharing with friends interested in Israel’s history, or by supporting me directly, every bit makes a difference. I also offer a personal touch: upon your request, I would be honored to pray for you at the Western Wall, light a candle in your name at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, or anywhere meaningful in the Holy Land. If you have any special personal requests, please reach out — I’m happy to respond and even create a dedicated video for you. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. With gratitude, Your tour guide, Zahi Shaked Support and purchase of crosses: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahishaked PayPal Support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/zahishaked?fbclid=IwAR2RxU5bvJcA5UzxpzC28C480v9towo77GN60VuRZRR02M5Duycmh2UWYcI Jonathan Tannhauser [email protected] +972547630868 Bethsaida and the el-Araj Excavations: Revealing a Biblical Town in Galilee Bethsaida is an ancient fishing village located on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. It is known from the New Testament as the hometown of disciples such as Peter, Andrew, and Philip, and is featured in key stories of Jesus’ ministry, including the feeding of the 5,000 and the healing of a blind man. These accounts emphasize Bethsaida’s role both as a residential fishing community and as a spiritual backdrop for early Christian events. For many years, scholars debated the exact location of Bethsaida. Traditionally, Tel Bethsaida (et-Tell) was identified as the biblical town. Tel Bethsaida is a large archaeological mound with remains from various periods, including the Roman era. However, some scholars found discrepancies between its location and biblical descriptions. Recent excavations at the nearby site of el-Araj have provided new evidence supporting el-Araj as the actual location of Bethsaida during the Roman and Byzantine periods. El-Araj is closer to the Sea of Galilee’s current shore, matching ancient texts describing Bethsaida as a lakeside village. Led by archaeologist Dr. Steven Notley, excavations at el-Araj uncovered Roman-era artifacts such as pottery, coins, and building foundations consistent with a fishing community. A major discovery was a large Byzantine church complex with elaborate mosaics, indicating a pilgrimage site recognizing Bethsaida’s biblical significance. The site also revealed harbor remains, confirming Bethsaida’s role as a fishing port. These findings align well with historical and biblical accounts of the village’s economy and geography. During my visit to el-Araj, I met Dr. Notley, who explained the careful archaeological methods used to uncover and preserve the site. He highlighted how their work integrates archaeology with biblical texts to better understand Galilean life in Jesus’ time. While research continues, el-Araj stands as the most convincing candidate for New Testament Bethsaida. These discoveries enrich biblical archaeology and highlight the cultural heritage of Jerusalem and Israel. Visitors today can walk among the ruins, connecting directly to stories central to early Christianity, making el-Araj a meaningful destination for pilgrims, scholars, and tourists. #בית_ציידא #אל_אראג #ארכיאולוגיה #ברית_חדשה #כנרת #ירושלים #ישראל #צחי_שקד #גליל #מורשת_נוצרית #ארץ_הקודש #ישו #נצרות #פיטר #אנדריי #כפר_דייגים #ישוע #bethsaida #elaraj #biblicalarchaeology #newtestament #seaofgalilee #jerusalem #israel #zahishaked #galilee #christianheritage #archaeology #holyland #jesus #christianity #peter #andrew #fishingvillage