1,800-Year-Old 'Jesus Is God' Inscription Unearthed: Biggest Biblical Discovery Since Dead Sea Scrolls

Specialists are creating a stir with a phenomenal discovery that will change the entire perspective of early Christianity. The Megiddo Mosaic, which is an inscription that dates back to 1800 years ago, is acclaimed as the "greatest discovery made since the Dead Sea Scrolls." This is considered to be the earliest physical proclamation of Jesus Christ as a God. This spectacular find was under a floor in Megiddo Prison in Israel in 2005, and has recently been in the residence of the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. to attract awareness all over the world.

(Photo Credit: The Museum of the Bible) 1,800-Year-Old 'Jesus Is God' Inscription Unearthed

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According to Gil Lin, head of the Megiddo Regional Council, the mosaic is dated back to 230 AD: built originally as part of a private chapel, now the "earliest known house of prayer." The inscription in Greek reads, "The god-loving Akeptous has offered the table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial." The importance of this inscription lies in the fact that it marks the first known archaeological reference to Jesus as God. Such an early pronouncement concerning the divinity of Christ predates the state adoption of Christianity by the Roman Empire and hence brings new light to the beliefs and practices of early Christians.

This mosaic itself is an enormous floor decoration of 581 square feet and has taken four years to excavate by the Israel Antiquities Authority. Besides the inscription, it shows some early Christian symbols such as fishes, which are quite famous for their connection with the miracle made by Christ in the Gospel of Luke, feeding 5,000 people with two fishes and loaves of bread.

(Photo Credit: The Museum of the Bible) Megiddo Mosaic

Also, the discovery elucidates how early Christians interacted with Romans. The name of Gaianus, a Roman officer who is said to have commissioned the work, is inscribed on the mosaic. This, together with the mosaic being close to a Roman camp, implies that Romans and Christians lived and interacted more amicably than imagined.

Carlos Campo, the CEO of the Museum of the Bible, has described the mosaic as "the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls," while Alegre Savariego, director of the exhibition, points out its revolutionary proof of primitive Christian pursuits. The mosaic indicates devotion among early Christians while also recognizing the contribution of women to the early church, for it lists names of several women including Akeptous who donated the table. 

After being displayed in Washington D.C. until 2025, the Megiddo Mosaic will return to Israel to continue being shown at the place of its original unearthing in a way that intrigues anyone looking at the origin of Christianity and its historic context.