Dig in Galilee May Reveal Home of Jesus’ Apostles 

IFCJ Canada  |  June 5, 2026

Since 2016, the el-Araj excavation site on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee has attracted the attention of Christians worldwide. Ongoing discoveries continue to suggest that the site may be identified as Bethsaida, the fishing village mentioned in the Christian Bible as the home of Jesus’ apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip. According to Ynet, Prof. Steven Notley, director of the excavation, visited Washington last month to present these findings. 

According to Notley, excavations at the site in 2018 uncovered remains of a Byzantine-era basilica, while in 2023 archaeologists discovered a first-century house directly beneath its apse, the semicircular recess typically found at the end of churches and classical buildings. 

He said the remains correspond with the historical account of Willibald, an eighth-century bishop from Eichstätt, Bavaria, who traveled to the Holy Land in 725 and wrote about a church in Bethsaida built above the home of Saints Peter and Andrew. 

Among the discoveries in the basilica was a mosaic uncovered in 2022 bearing the inscription: “Chief of the Apostles and keeper of the keys of heaven, pray for him and his children George and Theophanos.” 

Last year, the site was also damaged by fire, which, according to Notley, enabled the team to uncover evidence of columns and other structures that had previously been obscured by thick vegetation. 

The Gospel of John (1:44) identifies Bethsaida as the hometown of Philip, Andrew, and Peter. It also records Jesus calling Philip and Nathanael after arriving from Nazareth. 

The ruins have since become a pilgrimage destination for Christian visitors to Israel. One of the most prominent features of the site is believed to be the ancient city gate of Bethsaida. 

The most recent discoveries include first-century pottery fragments and fishing weights used to cast nets farther and help them sink more quickly. The Gospel of Luke records two fishing-related miracles performed by Jesus, and several of his disciples, including Peter, James, and John, were fishermen.