The mosaic is located near what’s believed to be the site of the prophesied battle of Armageddon in Israel. It contains a reference to Jesus as God, providing insights into early Christian worship during a time when the Roman Empire still persecuted followers of Christ.
The Megiddo Mosaic, which decorated one of the oldest Christian prayer halls, is now on display at the Museum of the Bible as part of an exhibition that runs through July 2025. The mosaic bears images of a fish, a symbol of early Christianity, and a Greek inscription that reads “To God Jesus Christ.”
Israeli archeologists discovered the mosaic in 2005 during a salvage excavation conducted as part of the planned expansion of the Megiddo Prison. The showing at the Museum of the Bible is the first public presentation of the mosaic, as due to its location on prison grounds, the mosaic was not accessible to the public.
In addition to the inscription recognizing Jesus as God, the Megiddo Mosaic memorializes the names of several women, perhaps highlighting the role women played in early Christian communities. The mosaic also features the name of the Roman officer who paid for it to be made.
Museum of the Bible CEO Carlos Campo said the staff believes the mosaic conveys the “transformative power of the Bible.” He urged people attending the exhibit’s opening to “take a step back and see the mosaic.”