Bethsaida
Bethsaida was an ancient town of Galilee, located on the northeast shore of Lake Tiberias, near the place where the Jordan flows into the lake. The name Bethsaida means “house of fishing” or “house of provision” in Aramaic.
Here are some interesting points about Bethsaida:
History: In AD 30, Herod Philip II, son of Herod the Great, decided to transform this modest fishing village into a great city, which he named Julias in honor of Livia, the wife of Emperor Augustus. However, the name Bethsaida remained better known thanks to the Gospels.
Role in the Gospels: Bethsaida is mentioned several times in the Gospels as the place of residence of several disciples of Jesus, notably Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. It was also at Bethsaida that Jesus performed several miracles, including the healing of the blind man mentioned in Mark 8.22-26.
Archaeology: Archaeological excavations have revealed remains of this town, including ruins of public and private buildings dating from the Roman period. The town was destroyed during the Great Jewish Revolt and again by an earthquake and a flood.
Location: Two sites are often proposed for the location of Bethsaida: Et-Tell and Al-Araj. The excavations have brought to light evidence of Roman occupation in the first century.
Bethsaida is therefore a town of great historical and biblical importance, known for its ties with the disciples of Jesus and for the miracles he performed in this region.
It appears that the town was built on both banks of the Jordan. Thus, one part would lie to the west in Galilee, while the other would lie to the east in the Decapolis.