Historian Uncovers Site of Jesus’ First Miracle, Challenges Traditional Cana Location
by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – A leading historian claims he has uncovered compelling new evidence identifying the true site of Jesus Christ’s first recorded miracle–turning water into wine at a wedding feast–potentially reshaping centuries of Christian pilgrimage tradition.
Tom McCollough, a retired religion and history professor from Centre College, believes the biblical village of Cana was not located in the modern Israeli town of Kafr Kanna, as widely believed, but rather at Khirbet Qana, a site about five miles to the north. His findings, rooted in archaeology and ancient texts, could affirm the historical accuracy of the Gospel of John’s account.
“There’s no other village with such a persuasive ensemble of evidence,” McCollough told Pen News. “Khirbet Qana fits all the biblical, historical, and archaeological criteria.”
The Gospel of John records that Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding in Cana, transforming six large stone jars of water into wine. While Scripture provides limited geographical detail, McCollough believes Khirbet Qana matches the description more precisely than Kafr Kanna, which only became associated with Cana in the 18th century.
Excavations at Khirbet Qana revealed a sprawling complex of underground Christian worship tunnels used by pilgrims as early as the late fifth century. Markings on the cave walls include ancient crosses and inscriptions invoking “Kyrie Iesou,” the Koine Greek term for “Lord Jesus.”
McCollough’s team also discovered an altar, a shelf bearing a stone vessel, and space for five additional jars–aligning with the Gospel narrative of six stone water jars used in the miracle.
“We uncovered a large Christian veneration cave complex that was used continuously by pilgrims into the Crusader period,” he explained. “What these early Christians saw and believed about this site aligns remarkably with the biblical account.”
The historian further bolstered his case with references from the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. “Josephus’ writings describe Cana’s location in a way that logically fits Khirbet Qana and not Kafr Kanna,” McCollough said. “It was a Jewish village, near the Sea of Galilee, in lower Galilee–Khirbet Qana fulfills all of these criteria.”
His findings challenge a long-held Catholic tradition venerating Kafr Kanna. McCollough argues that site was only designated as Cana in the 1700s, not for its historical accuracy but for its accessibility.
“At that point, the Franciscans were managing Christian pilgrimage more for convenience than for evidence,” he noted.
McCollough believes his work not only questions traditional assumptions but strengthens the case for biblical historicity. “Our excavations show Cana was a vibrant Jewish village situated in the center of Jesus’ ministry,” he said. “For the Gospel of John, Cana was something of a home base–where Jesus returned during times of conflict.”
As archaeological interest in biblical sites continues to grow worldwide, McCollough’s research may shift the spiritual and historical landscape of Christian pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
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