Archaeologists in Galilee Unearth Synagogue From Jesus’ Time

During an archaeological dig in the lower Galilee, researchers discovered a rural synagogue over 2,000 years old. These ruins are special because no other synagogue from this time period has been uncovered in Tel Rekhesh, a spot that used to be an ancient Jewish village in the time that scripture says Jesus preached.

Mordechai Aviam, an archaeologist at Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee who led the dig, estimated the synagogue was built between 20-40 AD and was used for a hundred years. No rural synagogues have been found from that time, he said.

“The site is 17 km (10 miles) as crow flies east of Nazareth, and 12 km from Nin (Naim), and although we don’t have its name in the New Testament, it is in the area in which Jesus acted,” said Aviam.

Until the find, synagogues from that time, known as the Second Temple Period after the Jewish temple that stood in Jerusalem, have only been found in urban centres.

The New Testament says Jesus traveled around the Galilee area preaching in villages and communities.

IFCJ News