Introduction to The Hebraic biography of Y'shua

(Tina Meador) #1

Magdala was placed on the map forever because of its most famous First Century resident. We know her
from the dozen references in the New Covenant as Mary Magdalene. We also know from the Gospels that
Y‘shua delivered this woman from a demonised life (Mark 16:9). Thereafter, she became a disciple par
excellence. Mary accomplished something that the twelve selected disciples did not accomplish. She
followed Y‘shua all the way to the crucifixion stake (John 19:25), and three days later she was the first
witness to the resurrection of Y‘shua (John 20:14-18).


Mary's city, Magdala, is mentioned only once in Scripture, here in Matt 15:39. Here it is stated that Y‘shua
came to the region of Magdala. However, even in this instance, the NIV translates Magdala as Magadan.
The area of Magdala is also associated in the New Testament with the name Dalmanutha, as seen in
Mark 8:10. All other references to the city are indirect ones.


Like so many other ancient cities, Magdala was rediscovered in the past century. In 1971-74, Corbo and
Loffreda excavated the city. In their excavations, they discovered a mini-synagogue, a water reservoir and
some mosaics. One of the mosaics, now on display at Capernaum, depicts an ancient boat with both sails
and oars; not unlike the famous boat actually discovered in the general area in 1986.


How Magdala got its name


In the Talmud, Magdala is called by its Aramaic name, Migdal Nunaiya (Pes. 46a). This name gives us a clue
to the basic enterprise going on in the area, since the name means "Tower of Fish". Magdala was famous for
its skill in processing fish. In the First Century, the town was called by another name illustrating this. In the
Greek language, it was called Tarichaea; again, referring to it as a place of salting or processing fish.


We read in the New Covenant about two miracles that Y‘shua performed, both including some kind of small
fish. It is thought today that the small fish were the plentiful Kinneret sardines. Obviously, the boy could not
have had them in his lunch unless they were preserved in some fashion. It is likely that the fish were either
salted or smoked. It is even quite possible that these little fish were originally processed at Magdala.


History of Magdala


Soon after the time of Y‘shua, Magdala suffered a tragic blow. After the revolt against Rome began in A.D.
66, the Romans defeated Magdala. The historian Josephus recounts that the Romans under Titus
conquered the city with much bloodshed. Since Magdala was a boat-building centre, many of the remaining
residents fled to the sea in their vessels. A great sea battle resulted, with a total of 6,500 Jews slaughtered in
the sea and on land. Josephus describes how the sea became bloody and full of dead bodies. Titus' father,
Vespasian, then decreed that the remaining citizens would not be spared. The old and infirm were
slaughtered. Six thousand of the city's strongest were given as slaves to Nero, and the remaining thousands
were sold in the slave markets (Josephus Flavius, The Wars of the Jews, Book 3, Ch. 1.)


Somehow, Magdala continued on as a city. In later times, the Talmud mentions Magdala once again as a
boat-building centre. The city is also characterised as one noted for its wealth and depravity.


Y‟shua cleanses Mary

In their book entitled, "Jesus and His World, An Archaeological and Cultural Dictionary", the authors John
Rosseau and Rami Arav ask concerning Magdala: "Can a correlation can be made between its depravity and
the seven demons that Jesus cast out of Mary (Luke 8:2)?" It would seem possible that in this affluent city,
Mary associated with the wrong crowd. Somehow, demonic forces began to enter and take control of her life.


When Mary Magdalene met the Master, she met deliverance. We are told in Scripture that Y‘shua cast seven
demons out of Mary. From that point on, she loved the Master with a great and enduring love. For the
remainder of Y‘shua‘s ministry, Mary was there to serve Him.


Regardless of what our modern and postmodern world proclaims, our lives can be greatly influenced for
good or evil by the kind of company we keep. The Apostle Paul exhorts us, "Do not be misled: Bad company
corrupts good character" (1 Cor 15:33). Obviously, the reverse of this statement is also true. When Mary met
Y‘shua and began to travel with him and his disciples, her life took a turn toward the beautiful. The same
thing can happen to us.

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