In 1986 two fishermen found the remains of a two thousand year old boat by Magdala, Mary Magdalene’s hometown, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
“He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.”
Matthew 14:29
Made of 12 kinds of wood, the boat is almost 30 feet long, over 7 feet wide and 4 feet deep. Its measurements suit that type of boat used by fishermen with a dragnet. (Matthew 13:47-48) Apparently the craft had been in use for many years, as could be seen from numerous spots in which repairs had been made. A number of beams and strakes seemed to have been used previously on other boats, which explains the variety of wood types.
Because of an oil lamp and a couple of coins found in the boat, it is dated to the first century A.D. It’s the only fishing vessel ever found along the shores of the Sea of Galilee from the days of Jesus. Today every Bible encyclopedia illustrates fishing on the Sea of Galilee with a photo or drawing from this very boat, dubbed the “Jesus boat.”