Reference: Bethsaida
American
Place of fishing, 1. A city in Galilee, on the western shore of the lake of Gennesareth, a little north of Capernaum; it was the birthplace of the apostles Philip, Andrew, and Peter, and was often visited by our Lord, Mt 11:21; Mr 6:45; 8:22.
2. A city in Gaulonitis, north of the same lake, and east of the Jordan. Near this place Christ fed the five thousand. It lay on a gentle hill near the Jordan separated from the sea of Galilee by a plain three miles wide, of surpassing fertility, Lu 9:10. Compare Mt 14:13-22; Mr 6:31-45. This town was enlarged by Philip, tetrarch of that region, Lu 3:1, and called Julias in honor of Julia, the daughter of Augustus. It is now little but ruins.
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Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! because if the mighty works which were wrought in you had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
And Jesus hearing, departed thence in a ship privately into a desert place. And the multitudes hearing, followed Him on foot from the cities. And Jesus having come out saw a great multitude; and was moved with compassion in their behalf, and healed their sick. read more. And it being evening, His disciples came to Him saying, It is a desert place, and the hour is already advanced; therefore send away the multitudes, that they having gone into the villages, may purchase for themselves victuals. And Jesus said to them, They have no need to go away; you give them to eat. And they say to Him, We have nothing here except five loaves and two fishes. And He said, Bring them hither to me. And commanding the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fishes, looking up to heaven, He blessed them; and breaking, gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. And all ate, and were filled: and they took up the remainder of the fragments twelve baskets full. And the men eating were about five thousand, besides women and children. And Jesus immediately constrained His disciples to embark into the ship and go before Him to the other side, until he can send away the multitudes.
And He said to them, Come ye privately into a desert place, and rest a little while. For many were coming and going, neither had they leisure even to eat. And they came away into a desert place privately in a ship. read more. And the multitudes saw them going, and many recognized them, and they ran together thither on foot from many cities, and came before them and came together to Him. And Jesus having come out saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion in their behalf, because they were as sheep having no shepherd: and He began to teach them many things. And already the hour being late, His disciples coming to Him, say, That it is a desert place, and the hour is already late: send them away, that having gone into the surrounding country and the villages, they may purchase for themselves bread: for they have not what they may eat. And responding He said to them, You give to them to eat. And they say to Him, Having gone away must we purchase the loaves of two hundred denaria, and give them to eat? And He says to them; How many loaves have you? go and see. And having ascertained, they say, five loaves and two fishes. And He commanded them all to sit down in companies on the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, about one hundred, and about fifty. And taking the five loaves and the two fishes, looking up to heaven, He blessed them; and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples, that they should dispense to them; and He divided the two fishes among all. And they all ate, and were filled; and they took up the fragments, twelve baskets full, and from the fishes. And those eating the bread were five thousand men. And immediately He constrained His disciples to embark into the ship, and go before Him to the other side to Bethsaida, until He shall send away the multitude.
And immediately He constrained His disciples to embark into the ship, and go before Him to the other side to Bethsaida, until He shall send away the multitude.
And they come into Bethsaida: and they bring Him a blind man, and they intreat Him that He may touch him.
And in the fifteenth year in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother, tetrarch of Ituria and the Trachonitis country, and Lusanius tetrarch of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas
And the apostles having returned, expounded unto Him how many things they did. And taking them He departed privately into a desert place, belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
Easton
house of fish.
(1.) A town in Galilee, on the west side of the sea of Tiberias, in the "land of Gennesaret." It was the native place of Peter, Andrew, and Philip, and was frequently resorted to by Jesus (Mr 6:45; Joh 1:44; 12:21). It is supposed to have been at the modern 'Ain Tabighah, a bay to the north of Gennesaret.
(2.) A city near which Christ fed 5,000 (Lu 9:10; comp. Joh 6:17; Mt 14:15-21), and where the blind man had his sight restored (Mr 8:22), on the east side of the lake, two miles up the Jordan. It stood within the region of Gaulonitis, and was enlarged by Philip the tetrarch, who called it "Julias," after the emperor's daughter. Or, as some have supposed, there may have been but one Bethsaida built on both sides of the lake, near where the Jordan enters it. Now the ruins et-Tel.
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And it being evening, His disciples came to Him saying, It is a desert place, and the hour is already advanced; therefore send away the multitudes, that they having gone into the villages, may purchase for themselves victuals. And Jesus said to them, They have no need to go away; you give them to eat. read more. And they say to Him, We have nothing here except five loaves and two fishes. And He said, Bring them hither to me. And commanding the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fishes, looking up to heaven, He blessed them; and breaking, gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. And all ate, and were filled: and they took up the remainder of the fragments twelve baskets full. And the men eating were about five thousand, besides women and children.
And immediately He constrained His disciples to embark into the ship, and go before Him to the other side to Bethsaida, until He shall send away the multitude.
And they come into Bethsaida: and they bring Him a blind man, and they intreat Him that He may touch him.
And the apostles having returned, expounded unto Him how many things they did. And taking them He departed privately into a desert place, belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
and embarking in the ship, they were going to the other side of the sea into Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them;
then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and requested him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus.
Fausets
("house of fish".) A city of Galilee, W. of and close to the sea of Tiberias, in the land of Gennesareth (Mr 6:45-53; Joh 6:16-17; 1:44; 12:21). Andrew, Peter, and Philip belonged to it, Near Capernaum and Chorazin (Mt 11:21; Lu 10:13). When Jesus fed the 5,000 on the N.E. of the lake, they entered into a boat to cross to Bethsaida (Mr 6:45), while John says" they went over the sea toward Capernaum." Being driven out of their course, Jesus came to them walking on the sea; they landed in Gennesaret and went to Capernaum; so that Bethsaida must have been near Capernaum.
In Lu 9:10-17 another Bethsaida, at the scene of feeding the 5,000, is mentioned (though the Curetonian Syriac and later Sinaitic omit it), which must have been therefore N.E. of the lake; the same as Julias, called from the emperor's daughter Julia. The miracle was wrought in a lonely "desert place," on a rising ground at the back of the town, covered with much "green grass" (Mr 6:39). In Mr 8:10-22 a Bethsaida on the E. side of the lake in Gaulonitis (now Jaulan) is alluded to; for Jesus passed by ship from Dalmanutha on the W. side "to the other side," i.e. to the E. side. Thus, Caesarea Philippi is mentioned presently after, Bethsaida being on the road to it; and the mount of the transfiguration, part of the Hermon range, above the source of the Jordan (Mr 9:2-3); the snow of Hermon suggested the image, "His raiment became white as snow."
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Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! because if the mighty works which were wrought in you had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! because if the mighty works which were wrought in you had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
And immediately He constrained His disciples to embark into the ship, and go before Him to the other side to Bethsaida, until He shall send away the multitude.
And immediately He constrained His disciples to embark into the ship, and go before Him to the other side to Bethsaida, until He shall send away the multitude.
And immediately He constrained His disciples to embark into the ship, and go before Him to the other side to Bethsaida, until He shall send away the multitude.
And immediately He constrained His disciples to embark into the ship, and go before Him to the other side to Bethsaida, until He shall send away the multitude. And having dismissed them, He went away into the mountain to pray.
And having dismissed them, He went away into the mountain to pray. And it being evening, the ship was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone upon the land.
And it being evening, the ship was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone upon the land. And He seeing them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary to them, and about the fourth watch of the night He comes to them, walking on the sea; and He wished to pass by them.
And He seeing them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary to them, and about the fourth watch of the night He comes to them, walking on the sea; and He wished to pass by them. But they, seeing Him walking on the sea, thought it was a specter, and cried out.
But they, seeing Him walking on the sea, thought it was a specter, and cried out. For they all saw Him, and were alarmed. And immediately He spoke with them, and says to them, Be of good cheer; I am He; be not afraid.
For they all saw Him, and were alarmed. And immediately He spoke with them, and says to them, Be of good cheer; I am He; be not afraid. And He went up to them into the ship; and the wind ceased. And they were exceedingly much astonished among themselves, and continued to marvel.
And He went up to them into the ship; and the wind ceased. And they were exceedingly much astonished among themselves, and continued to marvel. For they did not understand concerning the loaves, for their heart was hardened.
For they did not understand concerning the loaves, for their heart was hardened. And having crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret; and they disembarked.
And having crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret; and they disembarked.
And immediately having gone into the ship with His disciples, He came to the parts of Dalmanutha.
And immediately having gone into the ship with His disciples, He came to the parts of Dalmanutha. And the Pharisees came out, and began to question Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven. tempting Him.
And the Pharisees came out, and began to question Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven. tempting Him. And groaning in spirit, He says, What sign does this generation seek after? truly I say unto you, No sign shall be given unto this generation.
And groaning in spirit, He says, What sign does this generation seek after? truly I say unto you, No sign shall be given unto this generation. And having left them, coming in again He departed to the other side.
And having left them, coming in again He departed to the other side. And they forgot to take bread; and had but one loaf with them in the ship.
And they forgot to take bread; and had but one loaf with them in the ship. And He commanded them, saying, See, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
And He commanded them, saying, See, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they were reasoning to one another, saying, It is because we have not bread.
And they were reasoning to one another, saying, It is because we have not bread. And Jesus knowing says to them, Why do you reason because you have not bread? do you not yet know, nor understand? have you your heart still hardened?
And Jesus knowing says to them, Why do you reason because you have not bread? do you not yet know, nor understand? have you your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? having ears, do you not hear? and do you not remember?
Having eyes, do you not see? having ears, do you not hear? and do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves to the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up? They say to Him, Twelve.
When I broke the five loaves to the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up? They say to Him, Twelve. And when the seven loaves to the four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up? And they said, Seven.
And when the seven loaves to the four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up? And they said, Seven. And He said to them, Do you not yet understand?
And He said to them, Do you not yet understand? And they come into Bethsaida: and they bring Him a blind man, and they intreat Him that He may touch him.
And they come into Bethsaida: and they bring Him a blind man, and they intreat Him that He may touch him.
After six days Jesus takes Peter, and John, and James, and carries them up into an exceedingly high mountain privately alone; and was transfigured before them:
After six days Jesus takes Peter, and John, and James, and carries them up into an exceedingly high mountain privately alone; and was transfigured before them: and His raiment became resplendent, exceedingly white like snow; as no fuller on earth is able to whiten.
and His raiment became resplendent, exceedingly white like snow; as no fuller on earth is able to whiten.
And the apostles having returned, expounded unto Him how many things they did. And taking them He departed privately into a desert place, belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
And the apostles having returned, expounded unto Him how many things they did. And taking them He departed privately into a desert place, belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And the multitudes having found out, followed Him And receiving them, He spoke to them concerning the kingdom of God, and healed those having need of healing.
And the multitudes having found out, followed Him And receiving them, He spoke to them concerning the kingdom of God, and healed those having need of healing. And the day began to decline; and the twelve coming to Him, said, Send away the multitude, in order that having gone into the surrounding villages and countries, they may lodge, and find food: because we are here in a desert place.
And the day began to decline; and the twelve coming to Him, said, Send away the multitude, in order that having gone into the surrounding villages and countries, they may lodge, and find food: because we are here in a desert place. And He said to them, You give them to eat. And they said, There is not to us more than five loaves and two fishes; if not having gone we must purchase victuals for all this people.
And He said to them, You give them to eat. And they said, There is not to us more than five loaves and two fishes; if not having gone we must purchase victuals for all this people. For the men were about five thousand. And He said to His disciples, Have them sit down in companies, about fifty.
For the men were about five thousand. And He said to His disciples, Have them sit down in companies, about fifty. And they did thus, and made all sit down.
And they did thus, and made all sit down. And taking the five loaves and two fishes, looking up to heaven, He blessed them; and He broke, and gave to the disciples to dispense to the multitude.
And taking the five loaves and two fishes, looking up to heaven, He blessed them; and He broke, and gave to the disciples to dispense to the multitude. And they all ate and were filled: and that which remained to them of the fragments, were taken up, twelve baskets.
And they all ate and were filled: and that which remained to them of the fragments, were taken up, twelve baskets.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works which were wrought in you had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting down in sackcloth and ashes.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works which were wrought in you had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting down in sackcloth and ashes.
And when it was evening, His disciples went down to the sea;
And when it was evening, His disciples went down to the sea; and embarking in the ship, they were going to the other side of the sea into Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them;
and embarking in the ship, they were going to the other side of the sea into Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them;
then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and requested him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus.
then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and requested him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus.
Hastings
A place on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, whither Christ went after feeding the five thousand (Mr 6:45, cf. Lu 9:10), and where He healed a blind man (Mr 8:22); the home of Philip, Andrew, and Peter (Joh 1:44; 12:21). It was denounced by Christ for unbelief (Mt 11:21; Lu 10:13). The town was advanced by Philip the tetrarch from a village to the dignity of a city, and named Julias, in honour of C
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Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! because if the mighty works which were wrought in you had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
And immediately He constrained His disciples to embark into the ship, and go before Him to the other side to Bethsaida, until He shall send away the multitude.
And immediately He constrained His disciples to embark into the ship, and go before Him to the other side to Bethsaida, until He shall send away the multitude.
And they come into Bethsaida: and they bring Him a blind man, and they intreat Him that He may touch him.
And the apostles having returned, expounded unto Him how many things they did. And taking them He departed privately into a desert place, belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works which were wrought in you had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting down in sackcloth and ashes.
then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and requested him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus.
Morish
Bethsa'ida
This name signifies 'house of fish.'
1. BETHSAIDA OF GALILEE, a town from whence came Philip, Andrew, and Peter, Joh 1:44; 12:21; and against which the Lord pronounced a 'woe' because it had not repented at His mighty works. Mt 11:21; Lu 10:13. After the Lord had fed the 5,000 on the east of Jordan He sent His disciples to Bethsaida on the western shore. Mr 6:45. It was near the shore on the west of the Sea of Galilee, in the same locality as Capernaum and Chorazin: there are ruins in the district, but its exact situation cannot be identified.
2. BETHSAIDA JULIAS, a town near the N.E. corner of the same lake. A blind man was cured there, Mr 8:22; and near to it the 5,000 were fed, Lu 9:10-17: also related in Mt 14:13-21; Mr 6:31-44; Joh 6:1-14. It was called 'Julias,' because Philip the tetrarch enlarged the town, giving it the above name in honour of Julia, daughter of Augustus. It is identified by some with et Tell, 32 54' N, 35 37' E. A few rude houses and heaps of stones are all that mark the spot. (The context of the above passages shows that the events recorded could not have taken place at or near the Bethsaida on the west of the lake.)
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Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! because if the mighty works which were wrought in you had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
And Jesus hearing, departed thence in a ship privately into a desert place. And the multitudes hearing, followed Him on foot from the cities. And Jesus having come out saw a great multitude; and was moved with compassion in their behalf, and healed their sick. read more. And it being evening, His disciples came to Him saying, It is a desert place, and the hour is already advanced; therefore send away the multitudes, that they having gone into the villages, may purchase for themselves victuals. And Jesus said to them, They have no need to go away; you give them to eat. And they say to Him, We have nothing here except five loaves and two fishes. And He said, Bring them hither to me. And commanding the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fishes, looking up to heaven, He blessed them; and breaking, gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. And all ate, and were filled: and they took up the remainder of the fragments twelve baskets full. And the men eating were about five thousand, besides women and children.
And He said to them, Come ye privately into a desert place, and rest a little while. For many were coming and going, neither had they leisure even to eat. And they came away into a desert place privately in a ship. read more. And the multitudes saw them going, and many recognized them, and they ran together thither on foot from many cities, and came before them and came together to Him. And Jesus having come out saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion in their behalf, because they were as sheep having no shepherd: and He began to teach them many things. And already the hour being late, His disciples coming to Him, say, That it is a desert place, and the hour is already late: send them away, that having gone into the surrounding country and the villages, they may purchase for themselves bread: for they have not what they may eat. And responding He said to them, You give to them to eat. And they say to Him, Having gone away must we purchase the loaves of two hundred denaria, and give them to eat? And He says to them; How many loaves have you? go and see. And having ascertained, they say, five loaves and two fishes. And He commanded them all to sit down in companies on the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, about one hundred, and about fifty. And taking the five loaves and the two fishes, looking up to heaven, He blessed them; and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples, that they should dispense to them; and He divided the two fishes among all. And they all ate, and were filled; and they took up the fragments, twelve baskets full, and from the fishes. And those eating the bread were five thousand men. And immediately He constrained His disciples to embark into the ship, and go before Him to the other side to Bethsaida, until He shall send away the multitude.
And they come into Bethsaida: and they bring Him a blind man, and they intreat Him that He may touch him.
And the apostles having returned, expounded unto Him how many things they did. And taking them He departed privately into a desert place, belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And the multitudes having found out, followed Him And receiving them, He spoke to them concerning the kingdom of God, and healed those having need of healing. read more. And the day began to decline; and the twelve coming to Him, said, Send away the multitude, in order that having gone into the surrounding villages and countries, they may lodge, and find food: because we are here in a desert place. And He said to them, You give them to eat. And they said, There is not to us more than five loaves and two fishes; if not having gone we must purchase victuals for all this people. For the men were about five thousand. And He said to His disciples, Have them sit down in companies, about fifty. And they did thus, and made all sit down. And taking the five loaves and two fishes, looking up to heaven, He blessed them; and He broke, and gave to the disciples to dispense to the multitude. And they all ate and were filled: and that which remained to them of the fragments, were taken up, twelve baskets.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works which were wrought in you had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting down in sackcloth and ashes.
After these things Jesus went beyond the Sea of Galilee, of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed Him, because they saw the miracles He was doing in behalf of the sick. read more. And Jesus came into the mountain; and was sitting there with His disciples. And the passover, the feast of the Jews, was nigh. Therefore Jesus lifting up His eyes, and seeing that a great multitude is coming to Him, He says to Philip, Whence can we purchase bread, that these may eat? He spoke this testing him; for He knew what He was about to do. Philip responded to Him, The loaves of two hundred denaria are not sufficient for these, that each one may receive a little. And one of His disciples, Andrew, the brother of Peter, says to Him, There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fishes: but what are these among so many? And Jesus said, Make the people sit down. And there was much grass in the place. However the men sat down in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the bread; and gave thanks, and gave it to the disciples, and the disciples to the people sitting down; and likewise also of the fishes so much as they wished. And when they were filled, He says to His disciples, Gather up the remaining fragments, that nothing may be lost. Then they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets from the live barley loaves, which remained to those having eaten. Then the people, seeing the miracle which Jesus did, were saying, that, This is truly the prophet who is coming into the world.
then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and requested him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus.
Smith
Bethsa'ida
(house of fish) of Galilee,
Joh 12:21
a city which was the native place of Andrew, Peter and Philip,
Joh 1:44; 12:21
in the land of Gennesareth,
comp. Mark 6:53 and therefore on the west side of the lake. By comparing the narratives in
and Luke 9:10-17 it appears certain that the Bethsaida at which the five thousand were fed must have been a second place of the same name on the east of the lake. (But in reality "there is but one Bethsaida, that known on our maps at Bethsaida Julias." L. Abbot in Biblical and Oriental Journal. The fact is that Bethsaida was a village on both sides of the Jordan as it enters the sea of Galilee on the north, so that the western part of the village was in Galilee and the eastern portion in Gaulonitis, part of the tetrarchy of Philip. This eastern portion was built up into a beautiful city by Herod Philip, and named by him Bethsaida Julias, after Julia the daughter of the Roman emperor Tiberius Caesar. On the plain of Butaiha, a mile or two to the east, the five thousand were fed. The western part of the town remained a small village.--ED.)
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And having dismissed them, He went away into the mountain to pray.
then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and requested him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus.
then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and requested him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus.
Watsons
BETHSAIDA, a city whose name in Hebrew imports a place of fishing or of hunting, and for both of these exercises it was well situated. As it belonged to the tribe of Naphtali, it was in a country remarkable for plenty of deer; and as it lay on the north end of the lake Gennesareth, just where the river Jordan runs into it, it became the residence of fishermen. Three of the Apostles, Philip, Andrew, and Peter, were born in this city. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament, though it frequently occurs in the New: the reason is, that it was but a village, as Josephus tells us, till Philip the tetrarch enlarged it, making it a magnificent city, and gave it the name of Julias, out of respect to Julia, the daughter of Augustus Caesar.
The evangelists speak of Bethsaida; and yet it then possessed that name no longer: it was enlarged and beautified nearly at the same time as Caesarea, and called Julias. Thus was it called in the days of our Lord, and so would the sacred historians have been accustomed to call it. But if they knew nothing of this, what shall we say of their age? In other respects they evince the most accurate knowledge of the circumstances of the time. The solution is, that, though Philip had exalted it to the rank of a city, to which he gave the name of Julias, yet, not long afterward, this Julia, in whose honour the city received its name, was banished from the country by her own father. The deeply wounded honour of Augustus was even anxious that the world might forget that she was his daughter. Tiberius, whose wife she had been, consigned the unfortunate princess, after the death of Augustus, to the most abject poverty, under which she sank without assistance. Thus adulation must under two reigns have suppressed a name, from which otherwise the city might have wished to derive benefit to itself; and for some time it was called by its ancient name Bethsaida instead of Julias. At a later period this name again came into circulation, and appears in the catalogue of Jewish cities by Pliny. By such incidents, which are so easily overlooked, and the knowledge of which is afterward lost, do those who are really acquainted with an age disclose their authenticity. "But it is strange," some one will say, "that John reckons this Bethsaida, or Julias, where he was born, in Galilee, Joh 12:21. Should he not know to what province his birthplace belonged?" Philip only governed the eastern districts by the sea of Tiberias; but Galilee was the portion of his brother Antipas. Bethsaida or Julias could therefore not have been built by Philip, as the case is; or it did not belong to Galilee, as John alleges. In fact, such an error were sufficient to prove that this Gospel was not written by John. Julias, however, was situated in Gaulonitis, which district was, for deep political reasons, divided from Galilee; but the ordinary language of the time asserted its own opinion, and still reckoned the Gaulonitish province in Galilee. When, therefore, John does the same, he proves, that the peculiarity of those days was not unknown to him; for he expresses himself after the ordinary manner of the period. Thus Josephus informs us of Judas the Gaulonite from Gamala, and also calls him in the following chapters, the Galilean; and then in another work he applies the same expression to him; from whence we may be convinced that the custom of those days paid respect to a more ancient division of the country, and bade defiance, in the present case, to the then existing political geography. Is it possible that historians who, as it is evident from such examples, discover throughout so nice a knowledge of geographical arrangements and local and even temporary circumstances, should have written at a time when the theatre of events was unknown to them, when not only their native country was destroyed, but their nation scattered, and the national existence of the Jews extinguished and extirpated? On the contrary, all this is in proof that they wrote at the very period which they profess, and it also proves the usual antiquity assigned to the Gospels.
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then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and requested him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus.