Archaeologists Uncover the Lost Biblical City of Jesus’ Miracles

An international team of archaeologists claims to have confidently identified the ancient city of Bethsaida, the biblical site linked to some of the most famous episodes of Jesus’ life.

Excavations at the El-Araj archaeological site, near the Sea of Galilee, have been ongoing since 2016. According to researchers, the discoveries made in this area match the historical descriptions of a Jewish fishing settlement, which was later transformed into an urban center.

Bethsaida is mentioned in the biblical tradition as the birthplace or home of the apostles Peter, Andrew and Philip. The city was located near the area of Capernaum, where according to the Gospels Jesus performed some of his most famous miracles, including healing the sick and feeding 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish.

The project’s academic director, Professor Steve Notley, says the team has found precisely the two key elements needed to identify Bethsaida: evidence of a Jewish fishing village and clear traces of an urbanized city.

During the excavations, more than 200 coins, pottery fragments, a Roman bath, Hebrew stone vessels and lead weights linked to fishing activity have been uncovered. One of the most significant discoveries is also a Byzantine basilica, which contains a direct reference to the apostle Peter, describing him as the “Head of the Apostles and Keeper of the Keys of Heaven”.

According to the archaeologists, this evidence, taken together, makes El-Araj the most convincing candidate for the location of ancient Bethsaida. The researchers argue that the settlement’s transformation from a fishing village into an urban center also matches what is known about the biblical city.