They Left Their Nets Behind

They Left Their Nets BehindBefore Jesus' time, few Israelites were fishermen. There was only one Hebrew word for fish, and it covered everything from minnows to whales. In Jesus' time, a small, flourishing fishing industry developed around the Sea...

Where Satan Lives

The City of PergamumPergamum, at one time the capital city of the Roman province of Asia Minor, was known for its spectacular architecture and many beautiful temples dedicated to a variety of gods. The apostle John wrote a letter to the Christians...

Zealots-People of the Palm Branch

THE PEOPLE OF THE PALM BRANCHThe history of impassioned defense of freedom and the right to serve God alone was vivid in the collective memory of the people of Jesus' day. Only 150 years earlier, the deeply religious supporters of the Hasmonaeans ...

The Wilderness East of Bethlehem

This photograph is taken from the top of the Herodion looking east towards the wilderness. It is striking how the farms seen in the foreground end where the wilderness begins. Going to the wilderness was a short walk for the people of the Bible. V...

Theater at Beth Shean, The First Tier

This photograph displays the remains of the first tier of seats in the theater. The elaborate stone benches are fitted into foundations cut into bedrock on this first section.The seats are carefully shaped with a lip edge for spectators' comfort. ...

Theater at Beth Shean-Stage

Though covered by wooden panels today, it was originally covered with stone. It is built on arches with drainage channels beneath it.Behind the stage stood scaenae frons a backdrop for the stage, including a row of granite and marble columns and s...

Theaters

More than any other person, Herod the Great was responsible for bringing the theater to Israel.His campaign to make humanistic Hellenism the worldview of his people included building theaters at Caesarea, Jericho, Jerusalem, Samaria, and Sidon. Ma...

What is a Tel?