“A City on a Hill Cannot Be Hidden” (Matthew 5:14)
Perched high above the deep gorge of the Daliot Stream in the southern Golan, Gamla was more than a stronghold — it was the Jewish heart of the region, a thriving city during the time of Jesus and a symbol of both faith and resistance.
Often called the Masada of the North, Gamla stood as a bastion of Jewish independence during the Great Revolt against Rome in 67 AD. But long before its tragic fall, it was a center of Jewish worship and community life.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)
Gamla is home to the largest Second Temple–period synagogue yet discovered in the Golan. Built in the first century BCE and active during Jesus’ lifetime, it is almost certain that Jesus, who traveled and taught throughout the synagogues of Galilee (see Matthew 4:23), would have taught in Gamla’s synagogue as well.
Archaeological highlights:
- A spacious synagogue with benches along the walls — typical of early Jewish assembly halls
- Ritual baths (mikvehs) indicating strict observance of purity laws
- Olive presses and residential ruins that paint a vivid picture of Jewish daily life
- Dramatic evidence of the Roman siege: ballista stones, collapsed walls, and defensive structures
Gamla’s setting — dramatic, elevated, and unyielding — perfectly embodies Jesus’ image of a city on a hill. It challenges today’s visitors to live boldly and visibly for their faith, just as its inhabitants once did, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
