Capernaum—Jesus Slept Here (And Why)

But every visitor who enters the ancient site of Capernaum passes a sign that makes that boast. And it’s right.

(Photo: The Synagogue in Capernaum, courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

After Jesus left His former hometown of Nazareth, He moved His base of operations to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee. This move fulfilled what the Prophet Isaiah had predicted centuries earlier (Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:14).

Today, millions of tourists visit Israel each year, the majority of them Christians. I think it’s ironic that so many people still come to Capernaum and its surrounding area for the same reason they did in the first century.

Because that’s where Jesus was.

Finds You’ll Find at Capernaum

A stroll around the site reveals numerous archaeological treasures.

• A millstone for grinding wheat.
• A second-century Roman mile marker from the International Highway.
• Numerous marble capitals that once graced now-forgotten columns.
• Jewish carvings that adorned limestone reliefs.
• A bas-relief of a seven-branch menorah.
• Another perhaps of the Ark of the Covenant.

(Can’t see slideshow in RSS or email? Click here. All pics courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Jesus Taught Here—The Synagogue at Capernaum

Unquestionably, one of the greatest finds in Capernaum is the restored ancient synagogue.

Although the white marble ruins date later than the first century, they rest on top of the thick, black basalt foundation of the synagogue in the time of Jesus. In fact, a number of historical and biblical events occurred in this synagogue.

It’s mindboggling to walk in the space and imagine the conversations that occurred there, several of which Scripture records (Mark 1:21-27; John 6:35-59).

These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. —John 6:59

The whole structure represents an excellent example of a synagogue’s typical shape.

• The interior has a U-shaped seating arrangement.
• Columns line the middle of the space with Greek uncials etched into their face.

Jesus Slept Here—The House of Peter

Immediately outside the synagogue, only a stone’s throw away, a strange looking building hovers like a spaceship over more basalt ruins.

This modern structure is a church that stands suspended above the ruins of two other ancient churches from the 4^th and 5^th centuries. These churches hallowed the ruins of a first-century home.

• Only one Capernaum home in the Bible rises from the pages of Scripture—that of Simon Peter.
• Likely Peter’s home, this site would have housed Jesus a number of times (Mark 1:29-35).
• Here Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law.

(Photo: Capernaum Synagogue and Peter’s house, courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

Jesus’ Strategic Move

Already in existence for two hundred years, Capernaum represented a thriving fishing village in the first century. It served as a convenient stop along the Great Trunk Road or “Via Maris,” the vast International Highway that stretched from Syria in the north to Egypt in the south.

• This road ran the full length of Israel and also served as the first-century line of communication.
• In one day, news could travel twenty miles along this route in both directions.
• In two days, crowds in the multiple thousands could come to see the one they hoped would be the Messiah (Matthew 4:24-25). And they did.

A simple move from Nazareth to Capernaum increased Jesus’ visibility and gave His ministry a more strategic edge.

Question: Have you ever experienced a more effective influence simply by relocating?