Erick Stakelbeck takes viewers on a journey through biblical sites in Israel, joined by Israeli archeologist Danny the Digger Herman. They explore the pool of Siloam, the pilgrimage road, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Garden Tomb, Caesarea Philippi, and the hometown of Mary Magdalene, Magdala. Each site holds historical and spiritual significance, with recent archeological discoveries adding depth to the biblical accounts. Through their exploration, they unveil the timeless truths and power of God's word in these sacred locations.
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Stakelbeck Tonight | Erick Stakelbeck: Walking Where Jesus Walked| Stakelbeck Tonight | April 11, 2025
- Coming up on a very special episode of stakelbeck
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- Tonight, digging up the bible,
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- We're taking you on an unforgettable journey
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- Through the locations where jesus walked
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- And changed the world forever from the pool of siloam,
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- Where he healed the blind to the pilgrimage road where
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- Countless worshipers made their way up to the temple.
- 00:00:21.967 --> 00:00:25.204
- We'll also explore the church of the holy sepulcher
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- In the garden tomb.
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- Powerful reminders of jesus's death and resurrection.
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- And we'll explore caesarea philippi, where
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- Jesus declared his church would stand forever.
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- We then head to magdala, hometown of mary magdalene
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- And the site of an ancient synagogue where jesus taught.
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- Joining us on this journey is none other than israeli
- 00:00:46.325 --> 00:00:49.027
- Archeologist and tour guide danny the digger herman.
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- And it all starts now.
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- Welcome to digging up the bible on
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- Stakelbeck tonight.
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- We're starting tonight's journey at one of the most remarkable
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- Biblical sites
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- That's been recently unearthed, the pool of siloam.
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- Now, this is the very place where jesus healed a blind man
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- As described in the gospel of john.
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- Chapter nine.
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- It's a site steeped in history and faith.
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- And thanks to ongoing
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- Excavations, we're learning even more about its significance
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- And the role it played
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- In the lives of jewish pilgrims during the time of jesus.
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- Take a look.
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- This is the site
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- Of an active archeological dig what i believe
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- Is the most exciting
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- Archeological excavation happening in israel right now.
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- And folks, that is saying something.
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- We're joined by our good friend, ze'ev orenstein.
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- This is the city of david zev.
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- It is
- 00:02:05.370 --> 00:02:06.572
- Probably my favorite place in the entire city of jerusalem.
- 00:02:06.572 --> 00:02:10.242
- These steps that we are standing on
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- Have incredible significance biblically.
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- Tell us where we are. 24.
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- All this is underground.
- 00:02:18.784 --> 00:02:20.319
- There's a sewage pipe here which explodes.
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- And now you have a big mess.
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- The municipality of jerusalem has to repair the sewage pipe,
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- So they send construction crews to do that very thing.
- 00:02:28.994 --> 00:02:31.863
- But jerusalem is not just another municipality.
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- The city of david is not just another part of jerusalem.
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- And here, when a sewage pipe burst, you don't only send
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- In construction crews, you also send in archeologists.
- 00:02:40.272 --> 00:02:44.076
- And it turns out in repairing the sewage pipe, they uncover
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- These stone steps going back 2000 years
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- For frame of reference, 2000 years ago, time of jesus.
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- And they say there's only one other set of steps
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- In all of jerusalem that look just like these.
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- And these are the southern steps,
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- The steps that would have gone up to the temple 2000 years ago,
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- About a half mile north of where we're standing right now.
- 00:03:02.861 --> 00:03:05.931
- And so the archeologists that we know
- 00:03:05.931 --> 00:03:07.065
- What those steps are, the southern steps,
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- The main entry point up into the temple,
- 00:03:08.734 --> 00:03:11.069
- 2000 years ago, time of jesus.
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- What are these steps down here?
- 00:03:13.005 --> 00:03:14.640
- And they realized they had found the steps leading down
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- To the ancient pool of ceylon.
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- Wow. now, for me, as a christian,
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- Of course,
- 00:03:23.282 --> 00:03:23.849
- I think of the gospel
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- Of john chapter nine, which says that jesus
- 00:03:24.850 --> 00:03:27.352
- Healed a blind man, a man who was born blind
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- Right here at the pool of siloam.
- 00:03:30.422 --> 00:03:33.125
- So that's new testament significance,
- 00:03:33.125 --> 00:03:34.726
- No doubt set of 2000 years ago.
- 00:03:34.726 --> 00:03:36.928
- But significance in general for israel
- 00:03:36.928 --> 00:03:39.331
- And the jewish people in old new testament.
- 00:03:39.331 --> 00:03:41.767
- I mean, pool siloam is kind of where it all began.
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- And right now in the by the bible talks
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- About three times a year, all of israel
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- Has to go up on pilgrimage to the temple.
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- We're talking about passover, pentecost tabernacles.
- 00:03:50.309 --> 00:03:53.045
- Now, before you can go up to the temple,
- 00:03:53.045 --> 00:03:54.613
- What do you have to do?
- 00:03:54.613 --> 00:03:55.747
- You have to wash, cleanse, bathe, go to a ritual bath,
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- A mixer.
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- Every journey has a beginning, has a first step.
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- Where we're standing here was the first step of
- 00:04:03.455 --> 00:04:05.791
- That pilgrimage journey.
- 00:04:05.791 --> 00:04:08.727
- Danny, great to see you, as always, my friend.
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- Honored to be on your show.
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- Yes. digging up the bible in honor of you.
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- Hey, pull salam. incredible.
- 00:04:15.100 --> 00:04:17.536
- You and i have both been there, but some recent finds there.
- 00:04:17.536 --> 00:04:20.739
- Danny some new excavations. what's the latest?
- 00:04:20.739 --> 00:04:23.208
- 20 years later, we finally get the approval
- 00:04:23.208 --> 00:04:25.877
- To expose the rest of it, and everyone's so super excited.
- 00:04:25.877 --> 00:04:29.414
- We're going to see the whole pool of salaam.
- 00:04:29.414 --> 00:04:31.416
- Yeah, this caused a stir.
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- Yes, and we didn't.
- 00:04:32.684 --> 00:04:35.153
- The rest of it is somehow missing.
- 00:04:35.153 --> 00:04:37.956
- Now, how do you explain it?
- 00:04:37.956 --> 00:04:39.324
- Was it maybe recycled in later times?
- 00:04:39.324 --> 00:04:41.727
- Maybe it was never completed.
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- Maybe we've got it all wrong.
- 00:04:43.462 --> 00:04:45.597
- Okay.
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- For every dig in, every answer we might come up with
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- To some archeological quest, there are ten new questions.
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- And the latest on the pool of siloam.
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- It's just been published, by the way,
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- Is that we have that corner with the white steps.
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- But the rest of it, there's just a big hole instead of it.
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- I still think that's the pool of silver.
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- And i think those parts that are missing
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- Were maybe never completed or recycled later.
- 00:05:08.954 --> 00:05:11.390
- But everything else seems to fit. wow.
- 00:05:11.390 --> 00:05:13.892
- But i got to tell you, another thing
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- That has just been published
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- And only in hebrew, so english readers have not even seen it.
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- Even if you went to the library in jerusalem,
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- The tower of siloam,
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- The remembering the gospel of luke, chapter 13 jesus speaks
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- About a tower of siloam that collapsed, killing 18 people.
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- Now he mentions it for theological
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- And spiritual reasons.
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- But as an archeologist, i'm asking, can we spot that?
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- Yeah. and guess what?
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- Some archeologists, nations
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- And torn from the city
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- Of david excavation just came up with a proposal
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- That next to the famous pool of caelum
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- There are indeed remains foundations of a tower
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- From hellenistic times that had to be remodeled
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- In early roman times, meaning it was destroyed in the middle
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- Just as luke says, just as the gospel of luke records.
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- Incredible.
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- When you combine the truth of the bible with irrefutable
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- Archeological evidence, which you're an expert in.
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- Danny, i think you have an unbeatable combination.
- 00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:10.749
- Now from the pool of siloam, we move to the pilgrimage road
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- And all inspiring pathway
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- That once led worshipers directly up to the temple
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- In jerusalem.
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- This ancient road
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- Was rediscovered in recent years, and it's transforming
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- Our understanding of how jewish pilgrims, including jesus,
- 00:06:24.629 --> 00:06:28.266
- Prepared to worship god in the very heart of jerusalem.
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- We are
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- Standing on the 2000 year old pilgrimage road.
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- This is the road that our ancestors, yours
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- And mine, 2000 years ago that they would have walked on
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- When they went on pilgrimage up to the temple.
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- I call this the biblical superhighway,
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- Not a road near here, not stones that look like these.
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- This road, these actual stones.
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- Jeff, i'm trying to just take a moment
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- And take it all in.
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- You ritually cleanse yourself from the pool of siloam
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- And you make the journey up to the temple.
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- Unbelievable.
- 00:07:05.170 --> 00:07:06.371
- And everyone had to do this. there's really no other way.
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- If you want to go worship at the temple, you're coming.
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- That's right.
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- Set the scene for us in terms of what it looked like, say,
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- 2000 years ago.
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- Right now, of course, it's
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- An active archeological dig, as we said.
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- But 2000 years ago, hey, this place was buzzing
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- With activity, right?
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- So you would have lining both sides
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- Of the pilgrimage road, ancient shops, stalls, where
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- If you need to get something for a temple offering,
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- If you need to get a hat, a water bottle, a souvenir,
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- Maybe the temple tax, a silver half
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- Shekel coin, you're going to go into one of the stalls,
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- One of the merchants,
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- And you're going to get
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- Whatever it is that you need,
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- And then you're going
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- To continue up on your way to the temple.
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- This was the beating heart of jerusalem 2000 years ago.
- 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:50.515
- Now, today, we're we're underground.
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- But 2000 years ago, we're beneath the sky.
- 00:07:52.851 --> 00:07:54.819
- This would have been outside
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- 2000 years ago, making your way up.
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- And you know, in the psalms, there are 15 chapters
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- From 120 to 134.
- 00:08:02.093 --> 00:08:04.129
- That all began with the same words.
- 00:08:04.129 --> 00:08:05.931
- A song of ascent is not just a spiritual description
- 00:08:05.931 --> 00:08:10.302
- Of the pilgrimage.
- 00:08:10.302 --> 00:08:11.169
- It is actually a physical description,
- 00:08:11.169 --> 00:08:13.405
- Because when you're coming up from the pool of salem
- 00:08:13.405 --> 00:08:16.141
- Ascending the half mile journey to schlep
- 00:08:16.141 --> 00:08:18.843
- A half mile schlep up the hill
- 00:08:18.843 --> 00:08:20.712
- To the temple on the temple mount,
- 00:08:20.712 --> 00:08:22.514
- You are physically ascending.
- 00:08:22.514 --> 00:08:24.349
- It is a song of a physical ascent.
- 00:08:24.349 --> 00:08:26.885
- But there's only one place in the world
- 00:08:26.885 --> 00:08:28.820
- Where you can see that, feel that, experience that.
- 00:08:28.820 --> 00:08:32.290
- And that's when you're standing here in the city of david.
- 00:08:32.290 --> 00:08:37.362
- Coming up, we'll explore two of the most profound sites
- 00:08:38.430 --> 00:08:41.600
- Connected to jesus's death and resurrection.
- 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:44.736
- The church of the holy sepulcher and the garden tomb
- 00:08:44.736 --> 00:08:47.806
- In jerusalem.
- 00:08:47.806 --> 00:08:49.074
- We'll discuss their histories, their significance
- 00:08:49.074 --> 00:08:51.509
- And how they continue to inspire millions of believers
- 00:08:51.509 --> 00:08:54.779
- Around the world. stay with us for more.
- 00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:57.449
- Digging up the bible.
- 00:08:57.449 --> 00:09:05.996
- Digging up the bible.
- 00:09:05.996 --> 00:09:11.529
- Welcome back to stakelbeck
- 00:09:12.097 --> 00:09:13.298
- Tonight, we are with the one and only danny,
- 00:09:13.298 --> 00:09:15.233
- The digger herman joining us all the way from israel.
- 00:09:15.233 --> 00:09:17.969
- And danny, a place
- 00:09:17.969 --> 00:09:19.137
- You and i have spent some time in the church
- 00:09:19.137 --> 00:09:21.773
- Of the holy sepulcher in jerusalem.
- 00:09:21.773 --> 00:09:23.475
- You also have the garden tomb in jerusalem.
- 00:09:23.475 --> 00:09:25.777
- And there's a debate, okay,
- 00:09:25.777 --> 00:09:27.579
- Where was jesus crucified, died and buried, which was
- 00:09:27.579 --> 00:09:30.715
- Church of the holy sepulcher or the garden tomb?
- 00:09:30.715 --> 00:09:33.351
- Both amazing sites. but what do you think?
- 00:09:33.351 --> 00:09:35.654
- What's the real site?
- 00:09:35.654 --> 00:09:37.088
- Well, the holy sepulcher has been built
- 00:09:37.088 --> 00:09:40.892
- In the fourth century, meaning since the fourth century,
- 00:09:40.892 --> 00:09:43.995
- That specific hill and the tomb are
- 00:09:43.995 --> 00:09:47.032
- Marked, are believed to be the place of these events.
- 00:09:47.032 --> 00:09:50.268
- The garden tomb is
- 00:09:50.268 --> 00:09:52.103
- And suggests in a proposal made only in the 19th century.
- 00:09:52.103 --> 00:09:56.841
- But it doesn't mean that one is right and one is wrong.
- 00:09:56.841 --> 00:09:59.711
- What you need to do is
- 00:09:59.711 --> 00:10:01.479
- Look at this from an archeological perspective.
- 00:10:01.479 --> 00:10:04.215
- And i have to admit, although the garden tomb
- 00:10:04.215 --> 00:10:06.284
- Is very spiritual, very compelling,
- 00:10:06.284 --> 00:10:08.887
- The holy sepulcher archeology usually
- 00:10:08.887 --> 00:10:11.690
- Just has so many more arguments in favor of its interest.
- 00:10:11.690 --> 00:10:16.127
- And some of these arguments have been provided only recently.
- 00:10:16.127 --> 00:10:20.498
- Around 2016,
- 00:10:20.498 --> 00:10:23.268
- The different
- 00:10:23.268 --> 00:10:24.502
- Christian denominations decided to make thorough renovations
- 00:10:24.502 --> 00:10:28.339
- More like conservation of the church.
- 00:10:28.339 --> 00:10:30.809
- And that's a key point, by the way, different denominations.
- 00:10:30.809 --> 00:10:33.178
- There's many factions inside the church, the holy sepulcher.
- 00:10:33.178 --> 00:10:35.880
- The fact that they agreed to do this, i couldn't believe it,
- 00:10:35.880 --> 00:10:38.917
- Because you're probably familiar
- 00:10:38.917 --> 00:10:40.385
- With the story of the immovable ladder.
- 00:10:40.385 --> 00:10:42.320
- There's some ladder placed above the main entrance
- 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:45.356
- In the at least since 1851.
- 00:10:45.356 --> 00:10:48.393
- No one has moved it. why?
- 00:10:48.393 --> 00:10:49.928
- Because you're breaking the status quo.
- 00:10:49.928 --> 00:10:51.796
- Yeah, but they actually agreed to renovate the church,
- 00:10:51.796 --> 00:10:55.567
- And in 2016
- 00:10:55.567 --> 00:10:57.268
- They did some restoration work inside the tomb itself.
- 00:10:57.268 --> 00:11:02.407
- The whole belief is that the tomb was originally
- 00:11:02.407 --> 00:11:05.677
- Carved into bedrock. right.
- 00:11:05.677 --> 00:11:07.312
- But when you go there today,
- 00:11:07.312 --> 00:11:08.713
- All you see is marble and tapestry.
- 00:11:08.713 --> 00:11:10.715
- Is there bedrock behind it.
- 00:11:10.715 --> 00:11:12.517
- In 2016,
- 00:11:12.517 --> 00:11:14.052
- There was a very, very scary moment
- 00:11:14.052 --> 00:11:15.820
- When they removed the slab of stone over the ledge
- 00:11:15.820 --> 00:11:17.889
- Where supposedly the body of jesus was laid
- 00:11:17.889 --> 00:11:20.325
- And there was bedrock there. wow.
- 00:11:20.325 --> 00:11:22.360
- So the shape is is right.
- 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:25.196
- It is in bedrock.
- 00:11:25.196 --> 00:11:26.598
- It says that it was a new tomb carved into into rock.
- 00:11:26.598 --> 00:11:31.469
- The gospel of mark even points to the fact
- 00:11:31.469 --> 00:11:33.838
- That when the marys entered the empty tomb, it was an empty
- 00:11:33.838 --> 00:11:36.775
- There was an angel sitting inside
- 00:11:36.775 --> 00:11:38.243
- Telling them that he has risen from the dead.
- 00:11:38.243 --> 00:11:42.247
- But it adds an important word.
- 00:11:42.247 --> 00:11:43.581
- It says the angel was sitting on the right side,
- 00:11:43.581 --> 00:11:46.417
- And that ledge in
- 00:11:46.417 --> 00:11:47.685
- The holy sepulcher is indeed on the right side. when you enter.
- 00:11:47.685 --> 00:11:50.221
- And you and i have sat on that ledge.
- 00:11:50.221 --> 00:11:52.123
- Yes, we were very fortunate to be permitted to film inside.
- 00:11:52.123 --> 00:11:56.828
- It's not logistically an easy achievement.
- 00:11:56.828 --> 00:11:59.898
- Yeah, but we did it.
- 00:11:59.898 --> 00:12:01.366
- And here's some really breaking news.
- 00:12:01.366 --> 00:12:03.168
- The conservation project continues,
- 00:12:03.168 --> 00:12:05.703
- And i've been following it in my visits
- 00:12:05.703 --> 00:12:08.273
- And wherever they go, especially around the tomb
- 00:12:08.273 --> 00:12:11.843
- And around the golgotha, they find a lot of brown
- 00:12:11.843 --> 00:12:15.213
- Soil, brown goods sold to be used for gardening.
- 00:12:15.213 --> 00:12:19.417
- Why is that so important?
- 00:12:19.417 --> 00:12:20.418
- Erick the textiles as it was all in a garden.
- 00:12:20.418 --> 00:12:24.722
- Yeah. okay.
- 00:12:24.722 --> 00:12:25.590
- And this is good gardening soil now,
- 00:12:25.590 --> 00:12:27.525
- They haven't published much yet.
- 00:12:27.525 --> 00:12:29.694
- It's a project led by an italian team.
- 00:12:29.694 --> 00:12:32.497
- But the single article that i saw
- 00:12:32.497 --> 00:12:34.399
- In a lecture that i heard just before coming here
- 00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:36.935
- Did not mention that brown soil.
- 00:12:36.935 --> 00:12:38.770
- Wow. maybe they're not even
- 00:12:38.770 --> 00:12:39.971
- Aware of the fact that this is not just, you know, local jews.
- 00:12:39.971 --> 00:12:42.974
- Some might say it's it's a very specific type
- 00:12:42.974 --> 00:12:45.176
- That you want to use if you want to create a garden.
- 00:12:45.176 --> 00:12:49.414
- And this bible tells us the tomb, the gold goat
- 00:12:49.414 --> 00:12:52.116
- That were both in a garden. yeah. again and again and again.
- 00:12:52.116 --> 00:12:55.053
- It fits inside scoop from danny to digger herman and folks,
- 00:12:55.053 --> 00:12:58.122
- There is much more where that came from.
- 00:12:58.122 --> 00:13:00.291
- Still ahead, we'll take you to syria, philippi
- 00:13:00.291 --> 00:13:03.494
- And the hometown of mary magdalene.
- 00:13:03.494 --> 00:13:06.431
- Stick around.
- 00:13:06.431 --> 00:13:14.989
- Stick around.
- 00:13:14.989 --> 00:13:20.345
- Welcome back to stakelbeck
- 00:13:20.912 --> 00:13:22.280
- Tonight, our journey continues now
- 00:13:22.280 --> 00:13:24.415
- In the holy land accessory of philip ii.
- 00:13:24.415 --> 00:13:27.452
- A breathtaking sight where
- 00:13:27.452 --> 00:13:28.987
- Jesus made one of his most pivotal statements on this rock.
- 00:13:28.987 --> 00:13:33.791
- I will build my church.
- 00:13:33.791 --> 00:13:36.227
- This location was actually a center of pagan worship
- 00:13:36.227 --> 00:13:38.930
- In ancient times,
- 00:13:38.930 --> 00:13:40.164
- And yet it became the backdrop for one of the most profound
- 00:13:40.164 --> 00:13:43.968
- Declarations of the new testament.
- 00:13:43.968 --> 00:13:47.906
- Danny i was almost too nervous
- 00:13:47.906 --> 00:13:50.041
- To come to this place because of its name.
- 00:13:50.041 --> 00:13:53.444
- This spot was known,
- 00:13:53.444 --> 00:13:54.646
- At least in ancient times, as the gate to hell.
- 00:13:54.646 --> 00:13:58.616
- A bit menacing of a label, but where are we?
- 00:13:58.616 --> 00:14:01.786
- This is sesame of philippi,
- 00:14:01.786 --> 00:14:03.288
- Of course, and this has major significance
- 00:14:03.288 --> 00:14:06.424
- For followers of jesus and much more.
- 00:14:06.424 --> 00:14:08.860
- Tell us a bit about this site.
- 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:10.028
- The locals call it banias,
- 00:14:10.028 --> 00:14:11.763
- Which is the arabic derivation of pinyin.
- 00:14:11.763 --> 00:14:15.600
- Originally, this site was founded
- 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:17.402
- In the hellenistic period as a place to worship, pardon
- 00:14:17.402 --> 00:14:20.638
- The god pun, that dwells in forests, dwells in caves,
- 00:14:20.638 --> 00:14:24.709
- And he attacks passengers and so they get panicked.
- 00:14:24.709 --> 00:14:27.912
- Seriously, the word panic comes from this.
- 00:14:27.912 --> 00:14:30.214
- Wow. okay.
- 00:14:30.214 --> 00:14:31.482
- But around the time of jesus, the name of the site was changed
- 00:14:31.482 --> 00:14:35.186
- To caesar. here. philippe.
- 00:14:35.186 --> 00:14:38.756
- Philippe philippos is the son of herod.
- 00:14:38.756 --> 00:14:41.492
- He inherits this part of his father's kingdom.
- 00:14:41.492 --> 00:14:44.929
- And he wants to show the caesar this is a real family,
- 00:14:44.929 --> 00:14:48.266
- Just how loyalty is.
- 00:14:48.266 --> 00:14:49.334
- So he changes it to caesarea philippe.
- 00:14:49.334 --> 00:14:52.370
- Like caesarea maritimo.
- 00:14:52.370 --> 00:14:54.005
- This is caesarea philip ii.
- 00:14:54.005 --> 00:14:55.373
- So that's how it's named when jesus comes here.
- 00:14:55.373 --> 00:14:58.609
- Pan was worshiped here, the greek god danae.
- 00:14:58.609 --> 00:15:00.611
- Also before that, bayle,
- 00:15:00.611 --> 00:15:02.447
- The infamous pagan deity, was also worshiped here.
- 00:15:02.447 --> 00:15:04.983
- Well, we only have a hint for that in the old testament.
- 00:15:04.983 --> 00:15:07.518
- The book of joshua tells us that at the foothill of the commune
- 00:15:07.518 --> 00:15:10.822
- Was a place for the worship of basil god.
- 00:15:10.822 --> 00:15:13.925
- We believe that it may refer to this site, but we don't have
- 00:15:13.925 --> 00:15:17.628
- Historical or archeological proof.
- 00:15:17.628 --> 00:15:19.464
- But it was definitely a place of pagan worship of pan.
- 00:15:19.464 --> 00:15:23.735
- And then through archeology, we realized of also
- 00:15:23.735 --> 00:15:26.871
- Other deities.
- 00:15:26.871 --> 00:15:28.473
- The excavations
- 00:15:28.473 --> 00:15:29.640
- That were carried out right here next to the sacred cave.
- 00:15:29.640 --> 00:15:32.510
- Erik uncovered a lot of additional shrines.
- 00:15:32.510 --> 00:15:35.913
- In fact, look over that niche.
- 00:15:35.913 --> 00:15:38.449
- Beneath it, there's an inscription in greek
- 00:15:38.449 --> 00:15:40.752
- Attesting to the worship in the second century.
- 00:15:40.752 --> 00:15:44.355
- Just shortly after the time of jesus.
- 00:15:44.355 --> 00:15:46.557
- Pagan worship was going on all along this wall.
- 00:15:46.557 --> 00:15:51.396
- But the heart was on down fully in front of that sacred cave.
- 00:15:51.396 --> 00:15:55.199
- This sacred cave was mentioned to them.
- 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:57.602
- Sacred to the pagans.
- 00:15:57.602 --> 00:15:59.103
- And josephus also tells us that herod created a temple
- 00:15:59.103 --> 00:16:02.774
- To augustus in front of it,
- 00:16:02.774 --> 00:16:04.809
- Whose remains might have been uncovered right here.
- 00:16:04.809 --> 00:16:08.613
- But this site is so keen with paganism.
- 00:16:08.613 --> 00:16:13.584
- Folks, that's very philip ii is an incredible place.
- 00:16:13.584 --> 00:16:15.953
- That's a place that danny has wanted to take me for years.
- 00:16:15.953 --> 00:16:18.456
- And we finally got there.
- 00:16:18.456 --> 00:16:19.624
- And danny, it did not disappoint.
- 00:16:19.624 --> 00:16:21.392
- And you've got
- 00:16:21.392 --> 00:16:22.427
- Some more insights on caesarea philip ii, right?
- 00:16:22.427 --> 00:16:24.529
- Yeah.
- 00:16:24.529 --> 00:16:25.596
- First of all, it's so important because it's where
- 00:16:25.596 --> 00:16:28.699
- Jesus appointed simon yona as the prime disciple,
- 00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:33.337
- And he gave him the nickname peter.
- 00:16:33.337 --> 00:16:35.473
- Well, peter is latin.
- 00:16:35.473 --> 00:16:36.974
- Peter is petros in greek.
- 00:16:36.974 --> 00:16:39.410
- But the original aramaic language in which
- 00:16:39.410 --> 00:16:42.613
- I believe that they spoke,
- 00:16:42.613 --> 00:16:44.582
- It was the one that you should read
- 00:16:44.582 --> 00:16:46.951
- Because then you understand the full play words.
- 00:16:46.951 --> 00:16:49.554
- You want me to practice my aramaic for a moment?
- 00:16:49.554 --> 00:16:52.156
- Please do.
- 00:16:52.156 --> 00:16:53.224
- Because that's probably what jesus actually said.
- 00:16:53.224 --> 00:16:55.793
- Yeah.
- 00:16:55.793 --> 00:16:56.894
- Up in a manila skyway caper.
- 00:16:56.894 --> 00:17:01.165
- Well, had a caper of the night death.
- 00:17:01.165 --> 00:17:04.602
- What did this all nexus know?
- 00:17:04.602 --> 00:17:07.872
- And there we have one of the most famous
- 00:17:07.872 --> 00:17:09.707
- And important, important utterances
- 00:17:09.707 --> 00:17:12.076
- Of the entire new testament in aramaic.
- 00:17:12.076 --> 00:17:14.178
- Yes. now, the text says that it was done.
- 00:17:14.178 --> 00:17:18.049
- It was said in caesarea, philip ii.
- 00:17:18.049 --> 00:17:20.284
- Why there?
- 00:17:20.284 --> 00:17:21.519
- First of all, archeologically, we know that caesarea philip ii,
- 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:25.123
- Whose other name was pantheon, was a place
- 00:17:25.123 --> 00:17:27.325
- Swamped with paganism.
- 00:17:27.325 --> 00:17:29.327
- There were so many pagan institutions
- 00:17:29.327 --> 00:17:31.796
- Against some sacred rock.
- 00:17:31.796 --> 00:17:33.431
- And there is a mentioning in iraq,
- 00:17:33.431 --> 00:17:35.733
- But there's also big cave.
- 00:17:35.733 --> 00:17:37.802
- And the cave could be associated with hades.
- 00:17:37.802 --> 00:17:40.304
- And and jesus said that by you, peter.
- 00:17:40.304 --> 00:17:43.341
- This being the foundation of my church, it will overcome
- 00:17:43.341 --> 00:17:47.145
- Even hades. and gates of hell.
- 00:17:47.145 --> 00:17:48.913
- The gates of hell. exactly.
- 00:17:48.913 --> 00:17:50.848
- But here's a new insight.
- 00:17:50.848 --> 00:17:53.351
- A few years ago, an israeli team has dug in front of that cave,
- 00:17:53.351 --> 00:17:57.788
- And lo and behold, they found a church,
- 00:17:57.788 --> 00:18:00.424
- Which means already in antiquity,
- 00:18:00.424 --> 00:18:02.226
- There were worshiping,
- 00:18:02.226 --> 00:18:04.262
- You know, maybe the message in front of that cave,
- 00:18:04.262 --> 00:18:06.664
- Which fits with what we said.
- 00:18:06.664 --> 00:18:08.032
- But then they found something really, really amazing.
- 00:18:08.032 --> 00:18:11.602
- It turns out that there's a water channel beneath the church
- 00:18:11.602 --> 00:18:15.573
- That enables water to flow into the cave
- 00:18:15.573 --> 00:18:18.309
- Just in a specific height, that there's always a rock
- 00:18:18.309 --> 00:18:21.212
- Protruding in the middle, like a little tiny island. wow.
- 00:18:21.212 --> 00:18:25.049
- Maybe jesus even pointed to that rock inside the cave
- 00:18:25.049 --> 00:18:28.619
- When he said to simon, jonah, you are now rock.
- 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:33.257
- You are like this rock.
- 00:18:33.257 --> 00:18:34.392
- You are the foundation of my church, like this rock
- 00:18:34.392 --> 00:18:37.728
- Jutting out of the water, in this in this sacred cave.
- 00:18:37.728 --> 00:18:41.599
- Gosh, so incredible.
- 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:43.067
- And a place we both love, magdala.
- 00:18:43.067 --> 00:18:45.803
- Speaking of jesus,
- 00:18:45.803 --> 00:18:46.904
- The disciples were heading their next folks
- 00:18:46.904 --> 00:18:48.739
- To the shores of the sea of galilee.
- 00:18:48.739 --> 00:18:50.808
- Our next stop, magdala,
- 00:18:50.808 --> 00:18:52.610
- A beautifully preserved ancient town on the sea of galilee.
- 00:18:52.610 --> 00:18:56.013
- Now it's known as the hometown of mary magdalene,
- 00:18:56.013 --> 00:18:58.983
- And this site has yielded some incredible discoveries,
- 00:18:58.983 --> 00:19:01.852
- Including a synagogue from the time of jesus,
- 00:19:01.852 --> 00:19:04.388
- Where he may very well have taught.
- 00:19:04.388 --> 00:19:06.857
- It's a place that brings the new testament to life.
- 00:19:06.857 --> 00:19:10.428
- Take a look.
- 00:19:10.428 --> 00:19:22.173
- Erick, look at this.
- 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.641
- This is a doorway
- 00:19:23.641 --> 00:19:26.310
- Into a public building at the edge of magdala,
- 00:19:26.310 --> 00:19:29.380
- Which proved to be the ancient synagogue.
- 00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:31.382
- It's actually off limits for visitors,
- 00:19:31.382 --> 00:19:33.551
- But we got the approval.
- 00:19:33.551 --> 00:19:34.952
- Watch.
- 00:19:34.952 --> 00:19:41.225
- Okay, i'm putting my leg.
- 00:19:41.792 --> 00:19:43.728
- Maybe at the very spot
- 00:19:43.728 --> 00:19:44.895
- Where jesus put his leg when he visited magdala
- 00:19:44.895 --> 00:19:47.698
- And entered the synagogue of the city.
- 00:19:47.698 --> 00:19:49.867
- Danny, it's hard to take it all in. wow.
- 00:19:49.867 --> 00:19:51.802
- Where we are walking right now, let me just gather myself
- 00:19:51.802 --> 00:19:54.305
- And take a look at this amazing archeological discovery.
- 00:19:54.305 --> 00:19:58.342
- Not only archeology, this is spiritual.
- 00:19:58.342 --> 00:20:00.811
- This is god almighty.
- 00:20:00.811 --> 00:20:01.846
- As you said, jesus himself very, very likely walked
- 00:20:01.846 --> 00:20:06.517
- Where we are walking right now as a follower of jesus.
- 00:20:06.517 --> 00:20:10.488
- What a thrill.
- 00:20:10.488 --> 00:20:11.656
- Yes. this is really amazing, mind.
- 00:20:11.656 --> 00:20:14.191
- Boggling and a privilege.
- 00:20:14.191 --> 00:20:15.593
- And at the first you have here a courtyard with a place
- 00:20:15.593 --> 00:20:19.964
- Where people could sit.
- 00:20:19.964 --> 00:20:21.165
- Maybe this was a study room for children.
- 00:20:21.165 --> 00:20:23.968
- Okay.
- 00:20:23.968 --> 00:20:24.669
- Maybe they sit around this stone
- 00:20:24.669 --> 00:20:26.003
- Where torah scrolls were read and taught to the young kids.
- 00:20:26.003 --> 00:20:29.607
- The adults would assemble at the main hall over here,
- 00:20:29.607 --> 00:20:34.211
- Which is
- 00:20:34.211 --> 00:20:34.912
- Set is almost a square shape.
- 00:20:34.912 --> 00:20:38.082
- Rows of benches around the middle
- 00:20:38.082 --> 00:20:40.384
- And in the middle, a mysterious stone.
- 00:20:40.384 --> 00:20:43.788
- Now, this was one of the big discoveries
- 00:20:43.788 --> 00:20:47.058
- Inside the synagogue. amazing.
- 00:20:47.058 --> 00:20:49.093
- Tell us about this is still a still a big mystery.
- 00:20:49.093 --> 00:20:51.796
- We still don't know for sure
- 00:20:51.796 --> 00:20:53.531
- What all of these symbols represented.
- 00:20:53.531 --> 00:20:55.299
- The only thing we can identify with clarity is the menorah.
- 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:58.803
- What are the other symbols?
- 00:20:58.803 --> 00:21:00.304
- However, it's a big mystery.
- 00:21:00.304 --> 00:21:02.206
- This is called a rosetta design.
- 00:21:02.206 --> 00:21:04.742
- By the way, the whole stone is a replica.
- 00:21:04.742 --> 00:21:06.410
- Needless to say,
- 00:21:06.410 --> 00:21:07.578
- The original is so precious, it's kept in a safe place.
- 00:21:07.578 --> 00:21:10.514
- Not only do we not understand the decoration completely,
- 00:21:10.514 --> 00:21:13.818
- But also the function.
- 00:21:13.818 --> 00:21:15.353
- Why would an ornate stone like this
- 00:21:15.353 --> 00:21:17.421
- Be placed here in the middle of the synagogue?
- 00:21:17.421 --> 00:21:19.623
- It has also these knobs, which kind of hint to the
- 00:21:19.623 --> 00:21:23.127
- Horns of the altar in the temple.
- 00:21:23.127 --> 00:21:25.029
- Maybe only one archeologist so far has suggested a
- 00:21:25.029 --> 00:21:29.100
- Possible use of this
- 00:21:29.100 --> 00:21:30.668
- And that it was a base for a pedestal,
- 00:21:30.668 --> 00:21:33.671
- Meaning this is where they read the torah,
- 00:21:33.671 --> 00:21:36.273
- Which we know is what they did some 2000 years ago.
- 00:21:36.273 --> 00:21:40.277
- Let's sit for a minute and think about this.
- 00:21:40.277 --> 00:21:42.813
- Okay.
- 00:21:42.813 --> 00:21:43.347
- You are seated now.
- 00:21:43.347 --> 00:21:46.250
- And the 2000 year old sitting arrangement
- 00:21:46.250 --> 00:21:49.553
- Of an ancient synagogue here in the galilee,
- 00:21:49.553 --> 00:21:52.356
- The torah would be taken out
- 00:21:52.356 --> 00:21:53.958
- Of the ark
- 00:21:53.958 --> 00:21:55.092
- And someone would be reading it here to the audience.
- 00:21:55.092 --> 00:21:57.995
- It's really a rare find from that time frame.
- 00:21:57.995 --> 00:22:00.598
- Okay, so this is one of roughly five synagogues
- 00:22:00.598 --> 00:22:03.601
- From this time period, first century a.d.
- 00:22:03.601 --> 00:22:06.170
- 2000 years ago.
- 00:22:06.170 --> 00:22:07.371
- Danny, the time of jesus. yes.
- 00:22:07.371 --> 00:22:10.574
- Coming up after the break, my final thoughts on why these
- 00:22:10.574 --> 00:22:13.477
- Locations we've explored today are not just historical sites,
- 00:22:13.477 --> 00:22:17.448
- But powerful reminders of the eternal truth of god's word.
- 00:22:17.448 --> 00:22:22.386
- Stick around.
- 00:22:22.386 --> 00:22:30.991
- Stick around.
- 00:22:30.991 --> 00:22:36.133
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight, folks.
- 00:22:37.034 --> 00:22:38.936
- As we wrap up, i want you to keep this verse in mind,
- 00:22:38.936 --> 00:22:42.072
- Luke, chapter eight, verse 17, for there is nothing hidden
- 00:22:42.072 --> 00:22:45.910
- That will not be disclosed and nothing concealed
- 00:22:45.910 --> 00:22:49.246
- That will not be known or brought out into the open.
- 00:22:49.246 --> 00:22:52.416
- We are witnessing that truth unfold in real time
- 00:22:52.416 --> 00:22:56.053
- With these incredible archeological discoveries in
- 00:22:56.053 --> 00:22:59.023
- Israel, history and science together confirming the bible
- 00:22:59.023 --> 00:23:03.327
- Right before our very eyes and it's amazing to see.
- 00:23:03.327 --> 00:23:07.631
- If you want more content like you saw here on this
- 00:23:07.631 --> 00:23:09.867
- Digging up the bible special, be sure to visit tbn dot org or
- 00:23:09.867 --> 00:23:14.438
- Check out my youtube channel for exclusive content
- 00:23:14.438 --> 00:23:17.374
- And in-depth analysis that you will not get anywhere else.
- 00:23:17.374 --> 00:23:21.612
- Until next time.
- 00:23:21.612 --> 00:23:22.713
- God bless you and we'll see you soon.
- 00:23:22.713 --> 00:23:22.713
