Archaeologists may have proven the existence of a long-lost temple where Jesus is said to have performed miracles.
Several New Testament passages describe how he preached and healed the sick inside a synagogue in the ancient Israeli city of Chorazin.
Jews from around the world have been traveling to a holy site in Korazim National Park in the north, where historical records place the temple.
A synagogue built in 380 AD was discovered in the early 20th century, but there was no physical evidence dating it back to the time of Jesus – until now.
While excavating the synagogue discovered in 1905, a team of archaeologists discovered the ruins of an even older temple buried beneath.
Archaeologists excavating a synagogue built in 380 AD have discovered the ruins of an earlier temple hidden beneath the ground. Experts have suggested that the path leading to the temple was walked by Jesus more than 2,000 years ago.
“This is a groundbreaking discovery. I have been excavating all over the world and for me this is definitely one of the most important excavations I have ever conducted,” said lead archaeologist Achia Cohen-Tavor of Dagesh Tourist Archaeology.
Cohen-Tavor and his team removed the floor of the 3rd-century ruins and found giant rocks that had been placed in specific arrangements.
The team set to work removing the giant rocks, finding pottery, coins and kitchen utensils among them.
“I can’t date the rock itself when it was placed here,” Cohen-Tavor said in a YouTube Video detailing the discovery, which occurred in 2022.
‘What I can date is the pottery and, hopefully, the coins that come out from between the rocks and, definitely, what is underneath them.
‘What I got from between those stones would date the construction of the synagogue here.’
During the video, he showed a collection of pottery that he determined dates back to the 1st century.
Cohen-Tavor said the giant rocks placed on the ground and the artifacts were the largest evidence of first-century habitation ever found in the region.
The findings at the site are only clues about the first-century synagogue, but archaeologists believe the artifacts will soon confirm their assumptions.
The book of Matthew names the site as the city of Chorazin, which housed a synagogue where Jesus taught.
However, he also cursed the town after the locals rejected him and his teachings.
“Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they had not repented,” reads the holy book.
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
They lifted the upper floor, revealing giant rocks that were hundreds of years older.
Pottery and coins were also found among large rocks, allowing the team to date the site to what they believe could be the time of Christ.
Tyre and Sidon were said to be pagan cities at that time.
The 3rd-century synagogue was discovered in 1905 in what is now known as Korazim National Park.
Cohen-Tavor noted that previous excavations may have mistaken the giant boulders for simple bedrock, so the first-century ruins may have been overlooked.
The structure was built with basalt stones and decorated with Jewish motifs.
It had three entrances, with the front facing south, towards Jerusalem, as was the custom.
And previous excavations uncovered a stone seat, where the Torah reader sat, which has been called the Chair of Moses.
Historical records from the early 4th century reported that Chorazin was two miles from Capernaum, the place where Jesus was believed to have walked.
And the path is still visible to this day.
The 3rd-century synagogue was discovered in 1905 in what is now known as Korazim National Park. The structure was built from basalt stones and decorated with Jewish motifs.
In addition to the synagogue, the Chair of Moses is also mentioned in the Bible.
In addition to the long-lost synagogue, the Chair of Moses is also mentioned in the Bible.
Matthew 23:1-2 says, ‘Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ chair.”
It was a chair in which the rabbi and leaders read from the Torah scrolls, taught, and passed judgment.
Every synagogue had such a place and when Jesus taught in the synagogues of Galilee it is likely that he sat in the seat reserved for such authority.
A similar stone seat of Moses was found in an ancient synagogue on the island of Delos in Greece.
A seat of Moses was also found at Hammat Tiberias, near Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.