There is no biblical record of Jesus teaching in Sepphoris, but we know that he grew up in the nearby village of Nazareth. From his hometown, Jesus could probably see the impressive city, which covered nearly five hundred acres and was home to almost thirty thousand people.

Shortly after his death in 4 BC, Herod?s sons traveled to Rome to contest their father?s will, which had split Israel between them. Each son asked the emperor to give him exclusive control of the land.

While Herod?s sons were in Rome, a group of Jews revolted. Not wanting Herod?s brutal son, Archelaus, to gain control of Israel, they sent a delegation to Rome and asked the emperor to give power to someone else.

But the emperor chose to honor Herod the Great?s will. When Archelaus returned to Judea, he destroyed the people and families who had revolted against him.

Another of Herod?s sons, Antipas, created a more peaceful kingdom in the Galilee area. Shortly after returning from Rome, he decided to create his administrative capital at Sepphoris. The sophisticated city was built with modern streets, a magnificent palace, a gymnasium, theater, and beautiful mosaic floors.

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