A retired history professor is challenging centuries of tradition with new archaeological findings that may pinpoint the true location of Jesus’ first miracle.

Tom McCollough, formerly a professor at Kentucky’s Centre College, believes that Khirbet Qana—located five miles north of the traditionally accepted town of Kafr Kanna—is the actual site where Jesus turned water into wine, CBN reported.

The biblical account of this event is recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter 2, verses 1 through 11. According to the passage, Jesus, his mother Mary, and his disciples attended a wedding in a town called Cana. When the wedding hosts ran out of wine, Mary informed Jesus, who instructed the servants to fill six stone water jars.

The servants took the filled jars to the banquet master, who was surprised to find the water had turned into quality wine. This event is recognized in the Bible as the first miracle performed by Jesus. The Gospel notes that this sign revealed Jesus’ glory and deepened the disciples' faith in him.

For hundreds of years, the town of Kafr Kanna in northern Israel has been recognized as the site of Cana. Pilgrims and tourists alike have flocked to the location, believing it to be the place where the miracle occurred. Churches and institutions have been built there to commemorate the event described in the New Testament.

New Excavations Shine Light on Khirbet Qana

However, McCollough and his archaeological team have uncovered a site at Khirbet Qana that he argues offers more substantial historical and religious evidence. This ancient Jewish settlement existed from 323 B.C. to 324 A.D., aligning with the time frame of the Gospel narratives.

One of the most striking discoveries at this site is a sprawling cave complex believed to have been used for Christian veneration. According to McCollough, early Christian pilgrims would have come to the site believing it to be the place of Jesus' miracle. These visits were likely a form of early religious pilgrimage.

"We have uncovered a large Christian veneration cave complex that was used by Christian pilgrims who came to venerate the water-to-wine miracle," McCollough said. In addition to the cave, the team found a network of tunnels dating back 1,500 years containing Christian symbols.

Cave Complex Reveals Strong Links to Christianity

Among the symbols are numerous crosses and inscriptions that reference Jesus, suggesting that the site held religious significance for early Christians. These details support the theory that the area was revered as a sacred location well before modern tourism and tradition settled on Kafr Kanna.

McCollough also notes that some Crusader-era maps identify Khirbet Qana as the biblical Cana. These maps, which date back to the medieval period, offer further indication that the traditional understanding of Cana’s location may have been established differently in earlier times.

The research team emphasized that the site at Khirbet Qana matches not only the historical and religious elements cited in scripture, but also geographic and archaeological factors consistent with a town from Jesus’ era. These overlaps strengthen their case for identifying the true location of the miracle.

Gospel Words Continue to Shape Modern Investigations

The Gospel description of the event adds spiritual weight to the archaeological find. One verse reads, “On the third day, a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.”

When Mary informs Jesus that there is no more wine, he responds, "Why do you involve me?" according to the Gospel text. Despite this, Jesus takes action, instructing the servants to fill the stone jars with water, which becomes fine wine.

The banquet master, unaware of the transformation, remarks, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” This comment underscores the miraculous nature of the transformation, which is later described as a sign of Jesus' divine identity.

Long-Standing Traditions Under New Scrutiny

This inquiry into the true location of Cana challenges longstanding beliefs held by many Christian denominations and religious institutions. If accepted by the wider academic and religious communities, the discovery may shift significant portions of pilgrimage activity and religious acknowledgement to Khirbet Qana.

For McCollough, the evidence adds a compelling chapter to a story that has captivated theologians and historians for centuries. Yet, he stresses that the findings should foster further exploration rather than final certainties.

“What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him,” states John 2:11. For McCollough and his team, unearthing possible truths behind these biblical words is a step toward understanding how faith and history intersect.