Archaeologists have announced that the lost biblical town of Bethsaida, once home to some of Jesus' closest apostles, may have finally been identified after nearly a decade of excavations and remarkable discoveries. The site, known as El-Araj, lies on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee and is believed to be the ancient fishing village described in the Gospel of John as the hometown of apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip.
Key Discoveries at El-Araj
The conclusion follows years of discoveries that researchers say have dramatically strengthened the case for the site. Among the findings are the remains of a Byzantine church, a first-century house uncovered beneath its foundation, ancient fishing weights, and a mosaic inscription referring to St Peter as the 'chief of the apostles and keeper of the keys of heaven.'
Speaking in Washington DC on May 5, excavation director Steven Notley said the growing body of evidence has 'essentially confirmed' El-Araj as biblical Bethsaida. One of the most significant finds was a first-century structure buried beneath the apse of the basilica, which matches an eighth-century account describing a church built over the home of Peter and Andrew.
'So, we have a first-century house wall under the apse,' Notley told EWTN News. 'It doesn't have a plaque on it that says "Peter slept here," but from a perspective of archaeology, it doesn't get much better than that.'
Mosaic Inscription and Church Evidence
Other excavations at the site uncovered a mosaic that reads 'the chief and commander of the heavenly apostles,' referencing the Apostle Peter, as he was the early leader of the Church. The Bible says that Peter was born in Bethsaida, along with Andrew and Philip.
Excavations at El-Araj began in 2016 after archaeologists identified the site as a possible match for Bethsaida because of its location along the ancient shoreline and evidence suggesting it was once a thriving first-century fishing village. The theory gained momentum in 2017 and 2018 when teams uncovered Roman-era remains, fishing weights, and the ruins of a large Byzantine basilica believed to be the long-lost 'Church of the Apostles.'
Experts said the church closely matched the writings of eighth-century bishop Willibald, who described visiting Bethsaida during a pilgrimage around 725 AD and reported seeing a church built over the home of Peter and Andrew.
Further Evidence and Historical Context
Over the following years, excavators uncovered additional evidence, including a mosaic inscription discovered in 2021 that strengthened the connection to St Peter. Christians recognize Peter, originally Simon, as a fisherman and one of the first followers of Jesus, later appointed the leader of the early Church following Jesus' ascension. According to Christian tradition, he later died a martyr in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero around 64 CE, crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ.
Notley said in 2021: 'This discovery is our strongest indicator that Peter had a special association with the basilica, and it was likely dedicated to him. Since Byzantine Christian tradition routinely identified Peter's home in Bethsaida, and not in Capernaum as is often thought today, it seems likely that the basilica commemorates his house.'
Archaeologists uncovered stone walls they believe were part of the birthplace of Jesus' apostles. Two walls set perpendicular to one another, with one dating to the first century AD and the second to the second or third century AD.
Destruction and Rediscovery
Researchers believe the church was destroyed in an earthquake in 749 AD before eventually being buried beneath layers of sediment and vegetation. Then, in 2025, a wildfire tore through the area, unexpectedly revealing ancient ruins previously hidden by dense underbrush. The blaze exposed walls, structural mounds, and fragments of Roman-era pottery scattered across the site. Archaeologists also uncovered fishing tools and evidence of a Roman bathhouse, further suggesting the area had once been a bustling settlement during the time Jesus lived and preached.
Those discoveries aligned with ancient historical descriptions of Bethsaida, including accounts written by first-century historian Flavius Josephus, who documented towns and activity around the Sea of Galilee during the Roman period.
Significance for Biblical Archaeology
The excavation has become one of the most closely watched biblical archaeology projects in Israel because Bethsaida is referenced multiple times in the New Testament as a center of Jesus' ministry. According to the Gospels, Jesus healed a blind man there and performed the miracle of feeding thousands nearby. The town was also home to several of the disciples who would become central figures in early Christianity. After years of debate over Bethsaida's true location, researchers now say the combined discoveries at El-Araj may finally have solved one of biblical archaeology's most enduring mysteries.
