Archaeologists have unearthed a 1,500-year-old mosaic in Galilee containing what appear to be Jesus’ words to Peter, revealing Peter’s early role in the Church and sparking awe and renewed fascination with the roots of Christian history.

In a discovery that is sending ripples through both the archaeological world and Christian communities around the globe, an international team of archaeologists announced this week that they have uncovered an extraordinary artifact near the Sea of Galilee: what appears to be the long‑lost words Jesus spoke to Simon Peter more than 1,500 years ago, preserved in a magnificent mosaic inside the ruins of a Byzantine church.

The find was made in the region long identified with El‑Araj, believed by many scholars to be the ancient town of Bethsaida, a fishing village where Jesus called his first disciples, including Peter, Andrew and Philip.

Excavations in this part of northern Israel have been ongoing for several years, but nothing on this scale had previously emerged—until now.

Leading the project are Professor Mordechai Aviam of Bar‑Ilan University and Dr. Steven Notley, a specialist in early Christian archaeology.

According to their report, the team uncovered the foundations of a 1. 5‑dunam Byzantine church complex, buried under layers of earth and debris that had accumulated over more than a millennium.

Within this complex, a stunning mosaic was discovered intact on the church floor, the quality of its craftsmanship and state of preservation rivaling the best mosaics of the era.

But it’s the ancient Greek inscription embedded in that mosaic that has captivated experts and believers alike.

The inscription refers explicitly to Peter as “the chief of the apostles” and “keeper of the keys to the kingdom of heaven,” language that mirrors the words attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, where he tells Peter that he will be given authority and responsibility within the early Christian community.

According to Dr.Notley, the phrasing is not simply symbolic or decorative.

In his words, it is “a theologically precise declaration of Peter’s role that would have been understood by believers of the time as a direct echo of Jesus’ teaching.

” Archaeologists believe the inscription dates to the 6th century AD, placing it squarely in the Byzantine period when Christianity was flourishing throughout the Eastern Roman Empire.

The discovery answers questions that have long puzzled historians: to what extent did early Christians venerate Peter’s leadership? Did the belief in his primacy emerge only later in church history, or was it present within living memory of the apostles themselves? This mosaic suggests the latter.

As Professor Aviam notes, “Here we have physical evidence—not just a text in a gospel written decades after the events—that confirms how early Christians understood Peter’s unique role.”

The excavation site itself tells a rich story.

In addition to the church’s sanctuary, the team uncovered ancillary structures including what appear to be a guest house and a public bath—features that indicate the site may have been a thriving pilgrimage destination long before it was abandoned and forgotten.

Historical sources draw a tantalizing connection: Bishop Willibald, an 8th‑century Bavarian pilgrim, wrote of visiting Bethsaida and staying in a church dedicated to Peter and Andrew.

That account, long dismissed by some scholars as legend, now gains substantial credibility.

Local villagers, caught up in the excitement of the discovery, describe how the ruins once lay hidden beneath olive groves and fields, their significance lost to time.

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “We walked over this ground for years without knowing something so precious was beneath our feet.

” The mosaic itself, composed of tesserae in vibrant colors, depicts not only the inscription but intricate geometric patterns that have miraculously endured centuries of weathering.

The implications of this discovery extend beyond archaeology.

For theologians and believers, the find reinforces traditional interpretations of Peter’s leadership in the early Church.

Many Christians see this as tangible evidence that the foundations of their faith are rooted in historical reality, not just sacred tradition.

As one theologian put it, “To encounter the very words that reflect Jesus’ promise to Peter—etched in stone so long ago—is profoundly moving.”

Still, some scholars urge caution.

While the inscription undeniably highlights Peter’s status in the early Byzantine community, they argue it does not prove the exact words of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament were spoken and then transcribed verbatim.

Instead, they see the mosaic as a reflection of how early Christians interpreted Jesus’ teachings about Peter’s role.

Even so, the find has ignited a renewed interest in the archaeology of the Holy Land.

Plans are already underway for further excavations at El‑Araj, including the use of ground‑penetrating radar to explore areas beyond the church complex.

Scholars from institutions around the world are arriving to study the mosaic and its inscription, hoping to place this remarkable discovery within the wider tapestry of early Christian history.

In a world where ancient mysteries often remain buried forever, this extraordinary mosaic has resurfaced to offer a powerful link between the world of the first apostles and the present day—reminding us that some truths, no matter how deeply hidden, can still be found.