CAPERNAUM - THE TOWN OF JESUS

It lays on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali. Its name means “village of Nahum,” but it is impossible to say who this Nahum was, whether the Old Testament writer or someone else.

The city is mentioned only in the Gospels, and was the headquarters of much of Jesus’ ministry. (Mat 4:13). The west shore of the lake was settled by the tribe of Naphtali. Two of the characters described as being in Capernaum help to identify its location as being near the border of the Jordan and the political frontier. The story of the centurion (Mat 8:5; Luke 7:2) points to the small garrison of about 100 men found at such a frontier town. The story of Levi’s call to leave the customs post controlling the taxation of the area reflects on the same border character of the town (Mat 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27).

Aerial view of Capernaum today

Capernaum was the center of Jesus’ activities in the Galilee and his home town during that time. Jesus moved there after his rejection by the people of Nazareth (Mat 9:1). Here he was at home (Mark 2:1) and performed many miracles (Mark 1:34): the healing of the centurion’s servant (Mat 8:5); the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:31); and the exorcism of the unclean spirit (Mark 1:23; Luke 4:33). Highly favored by the ministry of Jesus, there was also a heavy curse imposed on the city because of its refusal to repent and believe: “And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades” (Mat 11:23, RSV).

Entrance to CAPERNAUM THE TOWN OF JESUS

It was here that Jesus called some of his disciples: "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.  And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him." The tax collector Matthew was also called here.

Jesus often taught in the local synagogue.

The Synagogue in Capernaum

Today visitors can travel to Capernaum and see much of what was left of the Synagogue that was built at the end of the 4th century AD. Under the monumental building (also called the "White Synagogue") are the remains of the early Roman synagogue from the times of Jesus, which was built with the local (black) basalt rock (visible in the picture). This earlier synagogue was the center of activities of Jesus, where He taught. (Mark1:21: "And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.")

Peter, also known as Simon Bar-Yonah, was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.  He was a fisherman, and his house was located close to the shores of the lake. This site is believed to be his house, as verified by the archaeological excavations and the later building of a church over his house that was erected in his honor by the early Christian worshippers.

What to see in Capernaum:

How to get there: