Church & Israel Forum
HOME
MAILBOX-
SEND US
YOUR QUESTIONS
AND COMMENTS
MAGDALA, HOME OF MARY MAGDALENE
On the Sea of Galilee, near the base of towering Mount Arbel, lie the ruins of the ancient city of Magdala. Today the remains
of the city can be found by traveling north about six kilometers on the coastal road from Tiberias.
Magdala was placed on the map forever because of its most famous first-century resident. We know her from the dozen
references in the New Testament as Mary Magdalene. We also know from the Gospels that Jesus (Yeshua) delivered this woman
from a demonized life (Mark 16:9). Thereafter, she became a disciple par excellence. Mary accomplished something that the twelve
selected disciples did not accomplish. She followed Jesus all the way to the cross (John 19:25), and three days later she was the first
witness to the resurrection of the Lord (John 20:14-18).
Mary's city, Magdala, is mentioned only once in scripture, in Matthew 15:39. Here it is stated that Jesus came to the region of
Magdala. However, even in this instance, the NIV translates Magdala as Magadan. The area of Magdala is also associated in the New
Testament with the name Dalmanutha, as seen in Mark 8:10. All other references to the city are indirect ones.
Like so many other ancient cities, Magdala was rediscovered in the past century. In 1971-74, the city was excavated by Corbo
and Loffreda. In their excavations they discovered a mini-synagogue, a water reservoir and some mosaics. One of the mosaics, now
on display at Capernaum, depicts an ancient boat with both sails and oars, not unlike the famous boat actually discovered in the
general area in 1986.
HOW MAGDALA GOT ITS NAME
In the Talmud, Magdala is called by its Aramaic name, Migdal Nunaiya (Pes. 46a). This name gives us a clue to the basic
enterprise going on in the area, since the name means "Tower of Fish." Magdala was famous for its skill in processing fish. In the
first century the town was called by another name illustrating this. In the Greek language it was called Tarichaea, again, referring to
it as a place of salting or processing fish.
We read in the New Testament about two miracles that Jesus performed, both including some type of small fish. It is thought
today that the small fish were the plentiful Kinneret sardines. Obviously the boy could not have had them in his lunch unless they
were preserved in some fashion. It is likely that the fish were either salted or smoked. It is even quite possible that these little fish
were originally processed at Magdala.
HISTORY OF MAGDALA
Soon after the time of Jesus, Magdala suffered a tragic blow. After the revolt against Rome began in AD 66, Magdala was
defeated by the Romans. The historian, Josephus, recounts that the Romans under Titus conquered the city with much bloodshed.
Since Magdala was a center of boat building, many of the remaining residents fled to the sea in their vessels. A great sea battle
resulted with a total of 6500 Jews slaughtered in the sea and on land. Josephus describes how the sea became bloody and full of dead
bodies. Titus' father, Vespasian, then decreed that the remaining citizens would not be spared. The old and infirm were slaughtered.
Six thousand of the city's strongest were given as slaves to Nero, and the remaining thousands were sold in the slave markets.*
Somehow, Magdala continued on as a city. In later times the Talmud mentions Magdala once again as a boat-building center.
The city is also characterized as one noted for its wealth and depravity.
JESUS CLEANSES MARY
In their book entitled "Jesus and His World, An Archaeological and Cultural Dictionary," the authors John Rosseau and Rami
Arav ask concerning Magdala: "Can a correlation can be made between its depravity and the seven demons that Jesus cast out of
Mary (Luke 8:2)?" It would seem possible that in this affluent city, Mary got with the wrong crowd. Somehow demonic forces
began to enter and take control her life.
When Mary Magdalene met the Master, she met deliverance. We are told in scripture that Jesus cast seven demons out of
Mary. From that point on, she loved the Master with a great and enduring love. For the remainder of Jesus' ministry Mary was there
to serve Him.
Regardless of what our modern and postmodern world proclaims, our lives can be greatly influenced for good or evil by the
kind of company we keep. The Apostle Paul exhorts us, "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Cor. 15:33).
Obviously the reverse of this statement is also true. When Mary met Jesus and began to travel with him and his disciples, her life
took a turn toward the beautiful. The same thing can happen to us.
MAGDALA TODAY
Today the ancient city of Magdala lies in ruins. However, not far from the old city is the modern farming community of
Migdal. This modern community once more takes its name from the Hebrew word for "tower." As early as 1885, new settlement
was begun in the area by some German Catholic families. At the turn of the century their land was purchased by a group of Zionist
Jews from Russia. Their intent was to establish a colony that could assist the Jewish people in learning agricultural techniques. By
1910, the settlement could boast itself as a successful farming area, and soon more settlers were attracted.
In 1921, a construction camp was established in the area as work was begun on the Tiberias-Rosh Pina highway. This work
battalion was under the direction of the legendary hero, Joseph Trumpledor. In the intervening years, the community of Migdal
continued to grow and today it boasts a population of some 1500 people. Most of today's inhabitants are occupied in the farming
industry. They grow olives, citrus crops of all kinds, dates, mangoes, avocados and many other fruits. Their picturesque farms dot
the Plain of Genassaret lying just below the city. Migdal also attracts many vacationers who love its beautiful and peaceful area and
its proximity to the Sea of Galilee.
Situated on the crest of Migdal's hill and overlooking the Sea of Galilee is the Galilee Study Center, presently operated by the
evangelical Christian ministry, Jerusalem Cornerstone Foundation. At this center, Christians from all over the world come to spend a
few days. They rest, pray, study and tour near the place where Mary Magdalene once lived and where Jesus once ministered.
With Bibles in hand they, like the disciples of old, hike over the hills, sit under the fig and olive trees and learn more about the
land of Israel, the land of their heritage. As they experience this "disciple country" first hand they also learn much more about the
Master whom they serve.
- Jim Gerrish
* Josephus Flavius, The Wars of the Jews, Book 3, Ch. 10
This updated article presented courtesy of Bridges For Peace, Jerusalem
Photo Credits - Peggy Steffel
HOME
MAILBOX-
SEND US
YOUR QUESTIONS
AND COMMENTS
MAGDALA, HOME OF MARY MAGDALENE
On the Sea of Galilee, near the base of towering Mount Arbel, lie the ruins of the ancient city of Magdala. Today the remains
of the city can be found by traveling north about six kilometers on the coastal road from Tiberias.
Magdala was placed on the map forever because of its most famous first-century resident. We know her from the dozen
references in the New Testament as Mary Magdalene. We also know from the Gospels that Jesus (Yeshua) delivered this woman
from a demonized life (Mark 16:9). Thereafter, she became a disciple par excellence. Mary accomplished something that the twelve
selected disciples did not accomplish. She followed Jesus all the way to the cross (John 19:25), and three days later she was the first
witness to the resurrection of the Lord (John 20:14-18).
Mary's city, Magdala, is mentioned only once in scripture, in Matthew 15:39. Here it is stated that Jesus came to the region of
Magdala. However, even in this instance, the NIV translates Magdala as Magadan. The area of Magdala is also associated in the New
Testament with the name Dalmanutha, as seen in Mark 8:10. All other references to the city are indirect ones.
Like so many other ancient cities, Magdala was rediscovered in the past century. In 1971-74, the city was excavated by Corbo
and Loffreda. In their excavations they discovered a mini-synagogue, a water reservoir and some mosaics. One of the mosaics, now
on display at Capernaum, depicts an ancient boat with both sails and oars, not unlike the famous boat actually discovered in the
general area in 1986.
HOW MAGDALA GOT ITS NAME
In the Talmud, Magdala is called by its Aramaic name, Migdal Nunaiya (Pes. 46a). This name gives us a clue to the basic
enterprise going on in the area, since the name means "Tower of Fish." Magdala was famous for its skill in processing fish. In the
first century the town was called by another name illustrating this. In the Greek language it was called Tarichaea, again, referring to
it as a place of salting or processing fish.
We read in the New Testament about two miracles that Jesus performed, both including some type of small fish. It is thought
today that the small fish were the plentiful Kinneret sardines. Obviously the boy could not have had them in his lunch unless they
were preserved in some fashion. It is likely that the fish were either salted or smoked. It is even quite possible that these little fish
were originally processed at Magdala.
HISTORY OF MAGDALA
Soon after the time of Jesus, Magdala suffered a tragic blow. After the revolt against Rome began in AD 66, Magdala was
defeated by the Romans. The historian, Josephus, recounts that the Romans under Titus conquered the city with much bloodshed.
Since Magdala was a center of boat building, many of the remaining residents fled to the sea in their vessels. A great sea battle
resulted with a total of 6500 Jews slaughtered in the sea and on land. Josephus describes how the sea became bloody and full of dead
bodies. Titus' father, Vespasian, then decreed that the remaining citizens would not be spared. The old and infirm were slaughtered.
Six thousand of the city's strongest were given as slaves to Nero, and the remaining thousands were sold in the slave markets.*
Somehow, Magdala continued on as a city. In later times the Talmud mentions Magdala once again as a boat-building center.
The city is also characterized as one noted for its wealth and depravity.
JESUS CLEANSES MARY
In their book entitled "Jesus and His World, An Archaeological and Cultural Dictionary," the authors John Rosseau and Rami
Arav ask concerning Magdala: "Can a correlation can be made between its depravity and the seven demons that Jesus cast out of
Mary (Luke 8:2)?" It would seem possible that in this affluent city, Mary got with the wrong crowd. Somehow demonic forces
began to enter and take control her life.
When Mary Magdalene met the Master, she met deliverance. We are told in scripture that Jesus cast seven demons out of
Mary. From that point on, she loved the Master with a great and enduring love. For the remainder of Jesus' ministry Mary was there
to serve Him.
Regardless of what our modern and postmodern world proclaims, our lives can be greatly influenced for good or evil by the
kind of company we keep. The Apostle Paul exhorts us, "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Cor. 15:33).
Obviously the reverse of this statement is also true. When Mary met Jesus and began to travel with him and his disciples, her life
took a turn toward the beautiful. The same thing can happen to us.
MAGDALA TODAY
Today the ancient city of Magdala lies in ruins. However, not far from the old city is the modern farming community of
Migdal. This modern community once more takes its name from the Hebrew word for "tower." As early as 1885, new settlement
was begun in the area by some German Catholic families. At the turn of the century their land was purchased by a group of Zionist
Jews from Russia. Their intent was to establish a colony that could assist the Jewish people in learning agricultural techniques. By
1910, the settlement could boast itself as a successful farming area, and soon more settlers were attracted.
In 1921, a construction camp was established in the area as work was begun on the Tiberias-Rosh Pina highway. This work
battalion was under the direction of the legendary hero, Joseph Trumpledor. In the intervening years, the community of Migdal
continued to grow and today it boasts a population of some 1500 people. Most of today's inhabitants are occupied in the farming
industry. They grow olives, citrus crops of all kinds, dates, mangoes, avocados and many other fruits. Their picturesque farms dot
the Plain of Genassaret lying just below the city. Migdal also attracts many vacationers who love its beautiful and peaceful area and
its proximity to the Sea of Galilee.
Situated on the crest of Migdal's hill and overlooking the Sea of Galilee is the Galilee Study Center, presently operated by the
evangelical Christian ministry, Jerusalem Cornerstone Foundation. At this center, Christians from all over the world come to spend a
few days. They rest, pray, study and tour near the place where Mary Magdalene once lived and where Jesus once ministered.
With Bibles in hand they, like the disciples of old, hike over the hills, sit under the fig and olive trees and learn more about the
land of Israel, the land of their heritage. As they experience this "disciple country" first hand they also learn much more about the
Master whom they serve.
- Jim Gerrish
* Josephus Flavius, The Wars of the Jews, Book 3, Ch. 10
This updated article presented courtesy of Bridges For Peace, Jerusalem
Photo Credits - Peggy Steffel
