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MAGDALA
A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
This was a town which existed in the New Testament period and is located on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee about 3 miles north of Tiberias. It served as the birthplace of Mary Magdalene (Mt. 27:56,61). According to Josephus (Antiquities, XX, 159) the city was historically significant in that Nero gave it to Agrippa II. It was then named Taricheae, meaning drying and salting. This city was famous for its fish-salting as well as ship-building. After Josephus had escaped from Tiberias he made Taricheae (Magdala) a base for his military activities against the Romans. He also fortified the city. The city played an important role in the Jewish resistance and was besieged by the Romans. After the death of Agrippa II the city become part of the province of Judaea.
B. BIBLICAL REFERENCES
1. Mt. 15:39 After Jesus fed the 4,000, He sails across the Sea of Galilee to the vicinity of Magdala. He is then questioned by a group of Pharisees.
2. Luke 8:1-3 Mary Magdalene is called by Jesus.
C. ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS OF INTEREST
1. ROMAN: There has been debate as to dating the synagogue here at Magdala. Scholars have not agreed whether it dates to the Roman or Byzantine Period. If it is a 1st century synagogue, it would join just a few others in all of Israel that date to the time of Christ. The others are Gamala (NE shores of Galilee), Herodian (Judean hill country near Bethlehem), and Masada (Judean Wilderness).