Jesus’ Galilean Ministry

May 4, 2016

Frequently the Bible will have “summary statements,” such as is found regarding Jesus’ Galilean Ministry: ” Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and also from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon, a great number of people heard of all that He was doing and came to Him” (Mark 3:7-8, NASB).

Note Jesus “withdrew to the sea,” meaning the Sea of Galilee, which is really a fresh water lake fed by the Upper Jordan. Its surface is currently 696 feet below sea level. Here see a sunrise view I photographed last month:

Sunrise at the Sea of Galilee. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

Sunrise at the Sea of Galilee. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

I labeled this blank map to show all the sites mentioned in these two verses.

Map, areas mentioned in Mark 3:7-8. Blank map by Bob Waldron & Scott Richardson.

Map, areas mentioned in Mark 3:7-8. Blank map by Bob Waldron & Scott Richardson.

The text is saying that people from all of these areas came to hear and see Jesus when He “withdrew to the sea.” Mark records the above portion of Jesus’ ministry immediately before he narrates Jesus’ selection and appointment of the twelve apostles.

Leave a Comment » | Bible History and Geography, Bible Places, Bible Study, Galilee, Israel, Jerusalem, New Testament, photography, Sea of Galilee, Travel | Permalink
Posted by Leon Mauldin

Gan Hashlosha (near biblical Beth-shan), Israel

April 12, 2016

Today’s travels took us from the Sea of Galilee down the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea area, then west on back to Jerusalem. Along the way we made some interesting stops, including while still in the north, Gan Hashlosha, in the vicinity of Beth-shan. Beth-shan was the city where the bodies of King Saul and three of his sons were fastened after their deaths (1 Sam. 31). Amal Stream, the spring water that emerges in the western part of the park maintains a constant, year-round temperature of 28 degrees Celsius.

Beautiful Gan Hashlosha, Israel. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

Beautiful Gan Hashlosha, Israel. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

Our real interest in stopping here was the Museum of Regional & Mediterranean Archaeology, which has some unique artifacts from the Beth-shan area, as well as rare finds from the Mediterranean region. The displays feature Canaanite, Israelite, Grecian, Etruscan, Persian and Egyptian collections.

We also drove along the top of Mt. Gilboa, where we had some good views of the Plain of Jezreel, where so many biblical events occurred.

Click image for larger view.

1 Comment | Archaeology, Bible History and Geography, Bible Study, Galilee, Israel, Jordan Valley, Old Testament, photography, Travel | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Leon Mauldin

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