11. The Holy Land in New Testament Times

Tyre and Sidon Jesus compared Chorazin and Bethsaida to Tyre and Sidon (Matt. 11:20–22). He healed the daughter of a Gentile woman (Matt. 15:21–28).

Mount of Transfiguration Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, and they received the keys of the kingdom (Matt. 17:1–13). (Some believe the Mount of Transfiguration to be Mount Hermon; others believe it to be Mount Tabor.)

Caesarea Philippi Peter testified that Jesus is the Christ and was promised the keys of the kingdom (Matt. 16:13–20). Jesus foretold His own death and Resurrection (Matt. 16:21–28).

Region of Galilee Jesus spent most of His life and ministry in Galilee (Matt. 4:23–25). Here He gave the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7); healed a leper (Matt. 8:1–4); and chose, ordained, and sent forth the Twelve Apostles, of whom only Judas Iscariot was apparently not Galilean (Mark 3:13–19). In Galilee the risen Christ appeared to the Apostles (Matt. 28:16–20).

Sea of Galilee, later called Sea of Tiberias Jesus taught from Peter’s boat (Luke 5:1–3) and called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be fishers of men (Matt. 4:18–22; Luke 5:1–11). He also stilled the tempest (Luke 8:22–25), taught parables from a boat (Matt. 13), walked on the sea (Matt. 14:22–32), and appeared to His disciples after His Resurrection (John 21).

Bethsaida Peter, Andrew, and Philip were born in Bethsaida (John 1:44). Jesus went away privately with the Apostles near Bethsaida. The multitudes followed Him, and He fed the 5,000 (Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14). Here Jesus healed a blind man (Mark 8:22–26).

Capernaum This was Peter’s home (Matt. 8:5, 14). In Capernaum, which Matthew called Jesus’ “own city,” Jesus healed a paralytic (Matt. 9:1–7; Mark 2:1–12), cured a centurion’s servant, healed the mother of Peter’s wife (Matt. 8:5–15), called Matthew to be one of His Apostles (Matt. 9:9), opened blind eyes, cast out a devil (Matt. 9:27–33), healed a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:9–13), gave the bread of life discourse (John 6:22–65), and agreed to pay taxes, telling Peter to get the money from a fish’s mouth (Matt. 17:24–27).

Magdala This was the home of Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9). Jesus came here after feeding the 4,000 (Matt. 15:32–39), and the Pharisees and Sadducees requested that He show them a sign from heaven (Matt. 16:1–4).

Cana Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:1–11) and healed a nobleman’s son who was at Capernaum (John 4:46–54). Cana was also the home of Nathanael (John 21:2).

Nazareth The annunciations to Mary and Joseph took place in Nazareth (Matt. 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38; 2:4–5). After returning from Egypt, Jesus spent His childhood and youth here (Matt. 2:19–23; Luke 2:51–52), announced that He was the Messiah, and was rejected by His own (Luke 4:14–32).

Jericho Jesus gave sight to a blind man (Luke 18:35–43). He also dined with Zacchaeus, “chief among the publicans” (Luke 19:1–10).

Bethabara John the Baptist testified that he was “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” (John 1:19–28). John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River and testified that Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:28–34).

Wilderness of Judea John the Baptist preached in this wilderness (Matt. 3:1–4), where Jesus fasted 40 days and was tempted (Matt. 4:1–11).

Emmaus The risen Christ walked on the road to Emmaus with two of His disciples (Luke 24:13–32).

Bethphage Two disciples brought Jesus a colt on which He began His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1–11).

Bethany This was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:1). Mary heard Jesus’ words, and Jesus spoke to Martha of choosing the “good part” (Luke 10:38–42); Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1–44); and Mary anointed Jesus’ feet (Matt. 26:6–13; John 12:1–8).

Bethlehem Jesus was born and was laid in a manger (Luke 2:1–7); angels heralded to the shepherds the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8–20); wise men were directed by a star to Jesus (Matt. 2:1–12); and Herod slew the children (Matt. 2:16–18).