February 3, 2024

—“In biblical times synagogue structures were public buildings used by Jews for civic and religious gatherings. The religious gatherings focused on the study of the Hebrew Bible and prayer,” writes Scott Stripling of Associates for Biblical Research.

But when exactly did the Jews begin building synagogues? It depends on whom you ask. Let’s look at what Matthew writes in his gospel, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues ….” (4:23). Matthew affirms that synagogues existed during the time of Jesus’ ministry, approximately 30 A.D.

On the other hand, some historians had routinely argued that synagogues did not come into existence until after the destruction of Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and that any references to synagogues by Matthew or any other Gospel writer were anachronistic.

Clearly both views couldn’t be right, but once again the modern age of archaeology came to the defense of the Bible, for approximately ten synagogues have been excavated that pre-date 70 A.D., including those at Capernaum, Gamla, Magdala and Beth Shemesh.

—Daniel McCabe