Category Archives: Bethsaida

News and information about the Bethsaida Excavations Project

Personal reflections on safety by a frequent visitor to Israel

Posted on October 2, 2014 by gregoryjenks

It is natural — and very understandable — that people would have some concerns about travel to the Middle East, including Israel, at this time. As a general comment, I remind people that Israel is actually a very safe destination … Continue reading →

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Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Fourteen

Posted on July 9, 2014 by gregoryjenks

Today the focus of the Palestine of Jesus course has been on the events of Holy Week, as we visited several sites associated with Gospel traditions from the final days of Jesus. As I write this blog the events from … Continue reading →

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Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Thirteen

Posted on July 8, 2014 by gregoryjenks

This morning the participants in our Palestine of Jesus course had an extended opportunity to soak up the special places along the NW shore of the Sea of Galilee. We had a late checkout from our rooms at the Pilgerhaus, … Continue reading →

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Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Twelve

Posted on July 7, 2014 by gregoryjenks

Today was a time to focus on the Galilean context of the ministry of Jesus, exploring the social and political dynamics of the region in his time and reflecting on the implications of that for our own ministries now. We … Continue reading →

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Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Ten

Posted on July 5, 2014 by gregoryjenks

Friday, July 4. American Independence Day. The first Friday of Ramadan 2014. Heavy security presence in and around Jerusalem. A delayed funeral for the 16 year old, Mohammad Abu Khdair. More rockets and mortar fire from Gaza into the south of … Continue reading →

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Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Nine

Posted on July 4, 2014 by gregoryjenks

With the current high level of tensions in Jerusalem and the other occupied Palestinian territories following recent abductions and murders, the schedule for the Palestine of Jesus course has been amended slightly. Planned visits to sites on the West Bank have … Continue reading →

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Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Eight

Posted on July 2, 2014 by gregoryjenks

Today marks the beginning of a brief interlude during which time I will miss about three days of the Palestine of Jesus course at St George’s College in Jerusalem. Soon after the group left to begin their morning program exploring … Continue reading →

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Bethsaida 2014 – Day Thirteen

Posted on June 21, 2014 by gregoryjenks

Today was our final day on the dig at Bethsaida for the middle session this year. There were no major finds, not even a few last minute coins. However, we did get to finish the square off nicely with clean … Continue reading →

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Bethsaida 2014 – Day Twelve

Posted on June 20, 2014 by gregoryjenks

Today was our hottest day so far, and very humid—with more of the same and then some predicted for tomorrow. We were dripping with perspiration and the dust was turned to trickles of mud.   We began the day with … Continue reading →

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Bethsaida 2014 – Day Eleven

Posted on June 19, 2014 by gregoryjenks

Today—Wednesday in our second week at Bethsaida—there was a tangible sense of sadness that so much will remain incomplete when our brief time on the dig ends this Friday. We have achieved so much, but realise just how far we … Continue reading →

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