In the brief article below you will find some very exciting news. A synagogue stone has been discovered in the excavations in Magdala, home town of Mary of Magdala and part-time residence of Flavius Josephus, Jewish Historian. This stone was found in the synagogue there and has caused scholars to reconsider the relationship between the Temple in Jerusalem and the role of synagogues throughout the land.
Also in this synagogue was found a coin dating to 29AD (during the life/ministry of Jesus). We know from the gospels that Jesus visited Magdala (Mt 15:39) and perhaps taught in this very synagogue. This stone may have been there when Jesus taught. Magdala was a very important fishing village in the first century. It sat on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and was a major stop on the Via Maris (major highway to Egypt) at the base of Mt. Arbel and the entrance to Wadi Hamam (Valley of the Doves).
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