Topical Encyclopedia
Bethsaida, a name meaning "house of fishing" or "house of the hunt," is a significant location in the New Testament, known for its association with Jesus Christ and His disciples. It is mentioned in several Gospel accounts and holds historical and theological importance.
Geographical Location:Bethsaida is believed to have been located on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. There is some debate among scholars regarding its precise location, with two primary sites proposed: et-Tell and el-Araj. Both sites have yielded archaeological findings that suggest they could be the ancient city of Bethsaida. The city was situated in the region of Gaulanitis, under the jurisdiction of Herod Philip, who later renamed it Julias in honor of Julia, the daughter of the Roman Emperor Augustus.
Biblical Significance:1.
Miracles of Jesus: Bethsaida is notably the site of several miracles performed by Jesus. One of the most prominent miracles is the healing of a blind man, as recorded in
Mark 8:22-26. Jesus took the blind man by the hand, led him out of the village, and restored his sight, demonstrating His compassion and divine power.
Another significant event associated with Bethsaida is the feeding of the five thousand. Although the exact location is not specified, the event is believed to have occurred in the vicinity of Bethsaida, as indicated in
Luke 9:10-17. This miracle underscores Jesus' ability to provide abundantly and His role as the Bread of Life.
2.
Disciples of Jesus: Bethsaida is also known as the hometown of several of Jesus' disciples, including Philip, Andrew, and Peter. In
John 1:44, it is stated, "Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter." This connection highlights the city's role in the early formation of Jesus' group of followers.
3.
Woe Pronounced: Despite the miracles performed there, Bethsaida, along with Chorazin and Capernaum, was rebuked by Jesus for its unbelief. In
Matthew 11:21 and
Luke 10:13, Jesus pronounces woe upon these cities, saying, "Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes." This admonition serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting the message of repentance and faith.
Archaeological Insights:Archaeological excavations at the proposed sites of Bethsaida have uncovered remains from the Roman period, including city gates, fortifications, and residential structures. These findings provide insight into the daily life and culture of the region during the time of Jesus. The discovery of fishing implements and other artifacts supports the notion of Bethsaida as a fishing village, aligning with its name and biblical descriptions.
Theological Reflections:Bethsaida's role in the Gospels serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and repentance. The miracles performed there illustrate Jesus' divine authority and His compassion for those in need. However, the city's failure to respond to these signs with belief and repentance highlights the human tendency to resist divine truth. Bethsaida's account encourages believers to remain open to the transformative power of Christ and to respond with faith to His call.
Greek
966.Bethsaida -- "house of fish,"Bethsaida, the name of two...... 965, 966.
Bethsaida. 967 . "house of fish,"
Bethsaida, the name of two
cities on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Part
... 7).
Bethsaida.
...406. Andreas -- "manly," Andrew, one of the twelve apostles of...
... Phonetic Spelling: (an-dreh'-as) Short Definition: Andrew Definition: Andrew, brother
of Simon Peter, and one of the apostles of Jesus, belonging toBethsaida....
417. anemos -- wind
... Mk 6:45,48: " 45 Immediately and go ahead of Him to the other side toBethsaida,
while He Himself was sending the crowd away. . . 48 Seeing them...
Library
Julias-Bethsaida
... Chapters 91-100 Chapter 93 Julias-Bethsaida.... Julias-Bethsaida was not seated in Galilee,
as it is in the maps, but beyond the sea of Galilee in Perea....
Use Made of Water by the Heathen Type of the Angel at the Pool of...
... Chapter V."Use Made of Water by the Heathen Type of the Angel at the Pool
ofBethsaida. "Well, but the nations, who are strangers...
Cure of the Blind Man atBethsaida. --Peter's Second Confession....
... Section 180. Cure of the Blind Man atBethsaida."Peter's Second
Confession."The Power of the Keys. (Mark, viii.; Matt., xvi.)....
The Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand
... This wasBeth-Saida (the house of fishing,' Fisher-town,' [3198] as we might call...
however, not be confounded with the other Fisher-town,' orBethsaida, on the...
The First Disciples
... It is certain that some from the borders of the lake were at this time among his
constant attendants: Andrew and Simon ofBethsaida, John the son of Zebedee...
Gamala. Chorazin.
... These things determine the situation of Gamala:"1. It was "in lower Gaulon," in
which, as we have seen,Bethsaida was.2. It was "upon the lake [of Gennesaret...
The Insults Received by Jesus in the Court of Caiphas.
... and exclaimed, 'Behold thy precious unction, behold the spikenard worth three hundred
pence; thou hast been baptised in the pool ofBethsaida.' They intended...
Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
... (Magadan andBethsaida.... [Not the suburb of Capernaum, butBethsaida Julias, a town
on the east side of the Jordan, near where it flows into the Sea of Galilee....
Bread from Heaven
... had done. And He took them, and went aside privately into a desert place
belonging to the city, calledBethsaida.11. And the people...
The Disciples of Jesus.
... The Lake of Tiberias is one of the best supplied with fish of any in the
world.[1] Very productive fisheries were established, especially atBethsaida, and...
Thesaurus
Bethsaida (7 Occurrences)... Or, as some have supposed, there may have been but one
Bethsaida built on both
sides of the lake, near where the Jordan enters it.
...BETHSAIDA.
...Beth-saida (6 Occurrences)
Beth-saida.Bethsaida,Beth-saida. Beth-sa'ida . Multi-Version Concordance...
(BBE).Bethsaida,Beth-saida. Beth-sa'ida . Reference Bible.
Beth-sa'ida (6 Occurrences)
... 21 these then came near to Philip, who 'is' fromBethsaida of Galilee, and were
asking him, saying, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus;' (See RSV).Beth-saida, Beth-...
Chorazin (2 Occurrences)
... Named along withBethsaida and Capernaum as one of the cities in which our Lord's
"mighty works" were done, and which was doomed to woe because of signal...
Korazin (2 Occurrences)
... Korazin (2 Occurrences). Matthew 11:21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,Bethsaida!...
(See NIV). Luke 10:13 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,Bethsaida!...
Woe (102 Occurrences)
... Woe (102 Occurrences). Matthew 11:21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,Bethsaida!...
Luke 10:13 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,Bethsaida!...
Repented (49 Occurrences)
... WBS). Matthew 11:21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,Bethsaida! For... RSV).
Luke 10:13 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,Bethsaida! For...
Magadan (1 Occurrence)
... After the feeding of the 4,000, Jesus and His disciples came to these parts. Thence
they departed to "the other side" (Mark 8:13), arriving atBethsaida....
Miracles (65 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Matthew 11:21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,Bethsaida!... (See NIV).
Luke 10:13 "Alas for thee, Chorazin! Alas for thee,Bethsaida!...
Mighty (514 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT RSV). Matthew 11:21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,
Bethsaida!... Luke 10:13 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,Bethsaida!...
Resources
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