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How many harbors from the time of Jesus have been discovered around the Sea of Galilee?
Answer: At least 16
The New Testament is replete with imagery of boating and fishing on the Sea of Galilee, the freshwater lake in northern Israel that was the center of Jesus’ ministry before he went to Jerusalem. The Gospels describe in vivid detail how Jesus recruited four of his disciples—Simon Peter, Andrew, and James and John, the sons of Zebedee—from fishing boats working near the shores of the Galilee (Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11). And the small boats that plied the sea serve as the setting for several of Jesus’ most memorable miracles: the calming of the sea (Luke 8:22–25), walking on water (Mark 6:45–52) and the miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1–11).
With the discovery of 16 different ancient harbors spread around the lake’s shores, archaeology has confirmed the significance of the vibrant boating and fishing culture that thrived around the Galilee during the time of Jesus. Although most of the harbors were gradually submerged as the waters of the lake rose over the next two millennia, the stone foundations of breakwaters, piers and promenades can still be seen when the waters recede during dry summers and times of drought, as has been the case in Israel for most of the past decade. Several of the harbors can be associated with major trade towns and fishing villages mentioned in the Gospels, including Capernaum, Magdala and Kursi. Others, like the harbors of the Hellenized Decapolis cities of Hippos and Gadara, are not specifically mentioned in the Bible but provide important evidence for the regular movement of people and goods across the waters of the Galilee during Jesus’ time.
How many harbors from the time of Jesus have been discovered around the Sea of Galilee?
Answer: At least 16
