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Casual English Bible

By Stephen M. Miller

Bible Maps Search Engine

Maps related to Magdala

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About the Casual English Bible Maps..

Bible maps make the Bible clearer

The Casual English Bible® maps tell Bible stories in a captivating way that engages even people who have never read the Bible. Lavishly detailed maps only make the stories of Jesus and others more compelling and easier to picture and to understand.

These 3D-style maps of Bible lands are created from blended high resolution satellite images, matched to precise elevation data from international space agencies.

How to search for maps

—Type “Galilee” into the Casual English Bible’s map search engine, below. Instantly, you’ll see dozens of beautiful maps…many in 3D style. Each one tracks with a different Bible story. These aren’t generic maps with a hundred place names.
—Type “Samson” into the Bible map search engine. You’ll see the tiny village where he lived in the Judean foothills below Jerusalem.
—Type “Corinthians” and you’ll see a gallery full of maps associated with Paul’s letters of 1, 2 Corinthians, to the church in Corinth, Greece.

3D sense of the lay of the land

Get a feel for the lay of the land:

—Ararat Mountains, where Noah’s boat ran aground. The Bible doesn’t say it was Mount Ararat.
—Judean hills where Joshua and the Israelites found most of their battles for the Promised Land. They avoided the plains, where their enemies with armored chariots had the advantage over Israel’s foot soldiers.
—Jesus’ 20-mile climb from Jericho and the Jordan River Valley upward half a mile high, to the crest of the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem.
—One surprise for some readers is the Jesus Triangle, a plug of ground between three cities. It’s where Jesus spent most of his ministry time. A person can walk that entire triangle in a single day. Type “Jesus triangle” to see it.

Peter writes to Paul’s churches

map of Paul's fist missionary trip

Peter writes to Paul's churches

Bible Book: 1 Peter Type: Maps Location: Antioch, Antioch in Pisidia, Attalia, Cyprus, Damascus, Derbe, Iconium, Israel, Magdala, Paphos, Perga, Salamis Era: Church, Letters

Why did Peter write to Paul's churches

When the apostle Peter wrote to church Paul  had started throughout Paul's own homeland territory, in what is now Turkey, it might have come across as awkward. Maybe even inappropriate. What does another preacher think he's doing by writing his advice to another preacher's congregation. Or in this case, congregations. Peter's letter targets troubles in the general church. Christians are facing frauds passing themselves off as church leaders. And they’re facing persecution from people outside their community of faith. That may have included some former relatives and friends who didn't like changes Christianity was making in these new believers.

Risk-taker

Peter always seemed a little out there, ready to stick his neck out. He started defending Jesus when Jewish police arrested him. Peter took a sword and cut off an ear from a servant of the high priest. He led the disciples of Jesus. Look at the list of names. Bible writers always put him first. And he is the star of the disciples in the Bible stories. Here,  he addresses Christians scattered throughout what is now Turkey. That was Paul’s turf. Paul was born and raised there, and that’s where Paul started planting churches among non-Jews. There’s no record of Peter ever having gone there. He’s best known for ministering to Jews in what is now Israel and Palestinian Territories.

A guess about why Peter wrote

One guess about why he wrote is that he was on trial in Rome, just before his crucifixion, when he got word that churches throughout Turkey were facing some kind of persecution, which Peter never identified.

Nero may have ordered his execution

Emperor Nero, credited with executing Peter and Paul, launched the first persecution of Christians after accusing them of starting the July AD 64 fire that burned much of Rome. That might explain why Peter, on trial in Rome, wouldn’t specifically identify Nero as the source of the trouble. But there are other theories too. Jews might have caused the trouble for these churches, as they had done for Turkey’s premiere church planter, Paul. 1 Peter 2 Peter For other Bible versions, see Bible Gateway
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Sea of Galilee

map of sea of galilee

Sea of Galilee

Bible Book: John Type: Maps Location: Bethsaida, Capernaum, Chorazin, Gennesaret, Gergesa, Israel, Magdala, Mount Hermon, Mount of Beatitudes, Sea of Galilee, Tiberias Era: Back from exile, Church, Letters, Jesus

Sea of Galilee

It's a lake

The Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Kinneret (Hebrew for "harp"), is a harp-shaped freshwater lake in the northern region of modern-day Israel. It's a beauty, surrounded by lush hills and dotted with ancient fishing villages. But this lake isn't just famous for its natural beauty; it plays a pivotal role in several Bible stories.

Geography lesson

The Sea of Galilee stretches about 13 miles (21 kilometers) in length and 8 miles (13 kilometers) in width. At roughly 700 feet (213 meters) below sea level, it holds the distinction of being Earth's lowest freshwater lake. Fed by the mountains and the Jordan River in the north, this serene body of water is a vital resource for the region. It, in turns, empties into the southern part of the Jordan River that flows into the Dead Sea.

Miracles at the lake

Jesus spent a good chunk of his ministry around these shores, performing miracles like walking on water and calming storms. The sea served as a backdrop for some of his most profound teachings and miracles, including the miraculous feeding of the multitude with just a few loaves and fish.

Jesus calms a storm

In the Bible, one of the most famous stories takes place on the Sea of Galilee. In the Gospel of Mark 4:35-41, there's an account of Jesus and his disciples in a boat when a fierce storm arises. The waves were crashing, and the boat was nearly swamped. But Jesus, apparently unfazed, calms the tempest with just a few words. The disciples were amazed and wondered, “Who in the world is this man? He gives orders to the wind and the water, and they actually obey him” (verse 41).

Reason for sudden storms

As for the reason behind these sudden windstorms,  the Casual English Bible reports that "cool sea breezes plunge down ravines into hot air baking in the cauldron of this shallow lake, the Sea of Galilee. They crash into the cliffs on the eastern lakefront, below the Golan Heights" (Matthew 8 map text). The Sea of Galilee isn't just a picturesque body of water; it's a place deeply intertwined with the life and teachings of Jesus, where nature itself played a role in illustrating his divine power and authority. AI generated, edited by Miller
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Map Galilee farmland

map of galilee farmland

Map Galilee farmland

Bible Book: Matthew Type: Maps Location: Bethsaida, Cana, Chorazin, Galilee, Gennesaret, Gergesa, Ginnosar, Israel, Jesus Triangle, Jezreel Valley, Magdala, Mount of Beatitudes, Mount Tabor, Nain, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Sepphoris, Tiberas Era: Jesus

Mapping Galilee farmland

When Jesus traveled around Galilee teaching and healing people, he was moving among farmers and fishermen.

In his day, the Galilean region was a renowned agricultural hub. Crops such as wheat, barley, olives, and grapes thrived in the rich soil. Farmers skilled in irrigation farming built terraces on slopes to curb soil erosion. Some irrigated their farms with spring water, even if they had to haul it by hand.

Ancient historian's view of Galilee farming 

Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, wrote extensively about the Galilean region during his time. In his work, "The Jewish War," he described the Galilean region as fertile and productive, well suited for agriculture due to its topography and climate.

Josephus also highlighted the skilled farmers' techniques in Galilee. He described the daily life of Galilean farmers, highlighting their hard work and dedication. Josephus said they start their work early in the morning and continue until sunset, working to ensure their crops thrived.

He said the Galilean region was a beautiful and productive area for agriculture. 

Farming Galilee today

Galilee, now a part of modern-day Israel, remains a vital agricultural hub, primarily for fruits and vegetables that are grown and exported around the world. many farmers here have harnessed advancements in technology to transform the agricultural sector with computerized irrigation systems, greenhouses, and modern tools such as tractors and harvesting machines that have improved farming efficiency and yields.

Green farming

Despite the significant strides in technology, the essence of using natural inputs in farming remains vital in Galilee today, just as it was in biblical times. The producers use integrated pest management techniques to ensure that their crops thrive while protecting the environment. Organic farming methods are also prevalent among small-scale farmers who sell their produce in local farmer markets.

Written by AI Chat

Edited by Miller

Spiritual harvest

35Jesus went into cities and villages all over the area. He taught in synagogues. He preached the good news about the Kingdom of Heaven. He healed everyone brought to him. It didn’t matter what kind of illness or disease they had. 36He felt for the people. He could see they were facing a lot of troubles and they had no idea where to turn for help. They were like lost sheep without a shepherd. 37He told his disciples, “There’s a huge crop out there ready to harvest. But we don’t have enough workers. 38Ask the Boss in charge of the harvest to send more workers out into the field.” 

Matthew 9:35-38

For more about life in Jesus's day, from Stephen M. Miller:

The Jesus of the Bible

Complete Guide to the Bible

Galilee farmland
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Bible Map Galilee

map of Galilee

Bible Map Galilee

Bible Book: Matthew Type: Maps Location: Bethsaida, Caesarea Philippi, Capernaum, Chorazin, Gergesa, Golan Heights, Israel, Jenin, Jesus Triangle, Jezreel Valley, Kursi, Lebanon, Magdala, Mount Hermon, Mount of Beatitudes, Mount Tabor, Nain, Phoenicia, Sepphoris Era: Jesus

Bible Map Galilee

Jesus grew up in Galilee. it's a green and beautiful land with soil so rich that first-century Jewish historian Josephus said a lazy person could make a good living farming there. He reported there were 204 villages in the area, according to Who's Who & Where's Where in the Bible, by Stephen M. Miller.
 The Casual English Bible describes Galilee as a hilly and fertile area with a good climate and a thriving agriculture. It's the main breadbasket provider of food for Israel and Palestinians today.

Jesus of Galilee

According to the Bible, Jesus spent most of his life and did most of his miracles in Galilee. He grew up in Nazareth, a small town nestled in the hills of Galilee, and easy to miss.
He later traveled throughout the region preaching and teaching.
Galilee is where he fed 5,000 just just a few fish and a little bread. This is he preached the Sermon on the Mount. It all took place in the countryside, far from crowded Jerusalem.

Home to many disciples

Galilee was also home to several of Jesus' disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John. They were fishermen, and their knowledge of the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding area proved useful in their travels with Jesus.

Land of conflict

This was a land of conflict, with various powers vying for control throughout the centuries. That's because Galilee was an important trade hub, connecting the Mediterranean world with the east.
After Rome crushed a Jewish revolt and then leveled the Jerusalem Temple, many Jewish scholars moved to Galilee. It became known as the place where scholars compiled their most sacred writings and Bible commentaries and debates about traditions, such as the Mishnah and Talmud.
 
Galilee
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Capernaum

map of sea of galilee

Capernaum

Bible Book: Mark Type: Maps Location: Bethsaida, Caesarea Philippi, Capernaum, Chroazin, Gergesa, Israel, Jesus Triangle, Magdala, Mount Hermon, Mount of Beatitudes, Sea of Galilee, Tiberias Era: Jesus

Capernaum Jesus' ministry HQ

Jesus left his hometown of Nazareth, which was a village easily bypassed because it was hidden in a valley high above the sprawling Jezreel Valley. He moved a day's walk away, to the fishing village of Capernaum, on the north shore of a lake known as the Sea of Galilee. It wasn't a big shift that involved culture shock. As before, Jesus was moving among common folks: farmers, herders, fishermen. He didn't seem to gravitate toward the scholarly world of Jewish lawyers, writers, and teachers...groups of Jews know as scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. These were Jewish communities as distinct as Christian denominations, such as Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians.

Crossroads town with taxmen

Capernaum was a crossroads town. One of Jesus' disciples, Matthew, was a taxman who collected tolls from travelers and merchants passing through the area. Jesus met at least five of his dozen disciples there: Matthew, fishermen brothers Peter and Andrew, fishermen brothers James and John. The size of the village, excavated in 1905, was about 300 yards by 200 yards (275 by 183 meters). That's about 15 acres (or roughly a dozen football fields). In Jesus' day, perhaps 1,500 souls lived in and around the town.

Bible events in Capernaum

In the Capernaum area:
  • Jesus healed a man lowered through the roof of a house to Jesus in a crowded room.
  • Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law.
  • Jesus healed the servant of a Roman commander of 100 soldiers.
  • Peter caught a fish that had swallowed a coin that paid the taxes of Jesus and his disciples.
  • Jesus taught in the synagogue.

Scholars who hated Jesus

Jesus ministered several days' walk north of the Jewish cultural and educational center, in Jerusalem. But that didn't protect him from the vitriol and jealousy of Jerusalem scholars who hated Jesus' unique way of portraying God and godliness. Jewish scholars, according to Bible writers, seemed to wallow in pride and cherish wealth and power. Jesus came as a humble servant into the poorest parts of Israel. When scholars finally caught up with him in Capernaum,  and in Jerusalem when he visited on Jewish holidays, they targeted him and eventually orchestrated his execution. But as the Bible tells it, Jesus made a comeback.
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