New Israeli Dig Reveals Where Jesus Began His Ministry

Teresa Neumann : Feb 12, 2014
Chris Mitchell – CBN

The altar found in the synagogue is in the shape of a boat: "You're reminded of Jesus standing in the boat and preaching to the people on the shore."

(Magdala, Israel)—The village of Magdala in Israel was known to be the home of Mary Magdalen. For centuries, the village lay hidden beneath a thin layer of earth, but now, archaeologists digging in the area are saying they have uncovered a synagogue there dating to the time of Jesus. (Photo via CBN News)

Said Father Solana, general director of the Magdala Center, "An expression that appears many times in several places of the Gospel, 'Jesus went around Galilee preaching in their synagogues.' So, this is the closest synagogue to Capernaum where He lived—it was very likely He was here many times."

"I'm pretty sure it's a gift for the world," added Solana, "for culture, for religions, for Israel, of course."

Not only did archaeologists uncover a synagogue in the ancient village, but they also discovered a 2,000-year-old "treasure" according to a report in CBN.

The Magdala Stone, a one-of-a-kind stone featuring a Menorah on it, "is the most important discovery made in relation to the Second Temple—the temple at the time of Jesus." said Father Kelly, whose order owns the land the discovery was made on. (Photo via CBN News)

The altar was reportedly built in the shape of a boat which is prompting those developing a center at Magdala to call it "Duc in Altum"—meaning, "Go into the Deep."

Father Solana says it's a timely spiritual reminder: "Go into the deep; try again. You can. Go, go, go! ...God is on our side."