The City of Jesus

Capharnaum 

Capharnaum also spelled Capernaum is located on the North Shore of the Sea of Galilee.  It is known as the town of Jesus because he selected it as the center of His public ministry.  This is where He found his apostles Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, while they were fishing, as well as Matthew the tax collector. 

  

 

You can find many stories in the Bible that took place in Capernaum. 

 

Mark1:21-26  Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath when a man possessed by an evil spirit calls out to Him and asks Jesus if He has come to destroy them?  Jesus tells the spirit to come out of the man and he was healed.

 

Mark 1:30-31  Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law of a fever

 

Mark 1:32-34  After sunset the whole town gathers at the door & Jesus spends the night healing many more of disease and demon possession.

 

Mark 2: 1-5  A paralytic man is lowered through the roof for Jesus to heal and seeing the man's faith, Jesus tells him, "Son, your sins are forgiven"

 

Luke 7:1-10  Jesus enters Capernaum and heals the centurion's servant who was sick and about to die

 

 

As I walked along the ruins of the city I can imagine seeing Jesus walking among the people.  Teaching and healing so many of them.  The town was not that large, and the people who lived there must have been witness to so many miracles.  You would think they would have been some of the best followers and servants of His words and mission and yet Jesus ends up cursing them. 

 

Matthew 11:23  And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies?  No, you will go down to the depths.  If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.  But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.

 

Jesus pretty much tells them even though they are Jews and worship in a synagogue with high priests and Pharisees that they are worse than Sodom!  What a blow to their egos.  No wonder they wanted Him gone.  But Jesus knew their hearts.  



What remains of the original city.  You can see how small the rooms and homes were made.  In the far distant background is the Sea of Galilee where they fished.

An ancient olive wheel press.

 



The synagogue of Capernaum

 

Capernaum was the hometown of the apostle Peter.  In the background is the Sea of Galilee where he fished.  This is a statue that was set up in his honor after the excavations of this site was opened to the public.