Pharisees

Moses Seat found in an ancient synagogue in Chorazin, in Galilee. The seat was located just inside the door of the synagogue and bears an Aramaic inscription with the name of the donor Yudan, the son of Yishmael who paid for building of the seat and its platform. (The seat pictured here is a replica placed where the original was found. The original is now in the Israel Museum.) Photo by John Buckner. Among other finds, the researchers found a synagogue built from the local volcanic basalt stones. Inside the synagogue, beside the ark where the biblical scrolls were stored, was a seat. It has been identified by many scholars as Moses’ Seat. Although it dates to after the time of Christ, this find is a remarkable fusion of biblical text and archeology. It illuminates the words of Matthew and shows us the custom He referenced.  

Moses’ Seat in Chorazin 

April 15, 2026
“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and...