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Capernaum
by Galyn Wiemers, Generation Word

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Capernaum in the Bible:

Matthew 4:13-16, Jesus moved to Capernaum;
Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16, Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, John to be disciples near here;
Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14, Jesus called Matthew from the office of the tax house;
Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31, Jesus taught in this synagogue; Jesus ate at Peter’s house in Capernaum; healed Peter’s mother-in-law;
Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10, Jesus healed centurion’s servant;
Matthew 9:1; Mark 2:1; Luke 5:17, a roof was removed and a paralyzed man was lowered to Jesus;
Matthew 9:18; Mark 5; Luke 8:40, Jairus’ daughter was raised and a woman healed of bleeding;
John 4:46, Jesus healed nobleman’s son;
Matthew 9:27; 12:22; Mark 3:20; Luke 11:14, Jesus healed two blind men and one mute demoniac.

Capernaum sat on the International Highway running from Egypt to Babylon. Capernaum controlled trade along this route and would have added tax and tolls to travelers, traders and merchandise coming and going. This combined with the fishing industry and the industrial park’s manufacturing of equipment such as grinding stones and olive presses from basalt stone made Capernaum rich.

The Bible mentions Capernaum 16 times presenting it as an important, large and wealthy city that was the base for: 1) Roman troops and their centurion who helped pay for the synagogue that Jesus taught in and whose NT foundation can still be seen today. (Mt.8:5-9) 2) Customs station where Matthew worked to collect taxes on goods coming from Damascus/Mesopotamia heading to Egypt and vice versa. (Matt.9:9) 3) High officer of the king (John 4:46) 4) Peter’s home and family (Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31) 5) Jesus ministry headquarters (Matthew 4:13-16)

Christians helped build the synagogue seen today on the NT foundation in 300-400 AD for their Jewish neighbors while they worshiped at a church built over Peter’s house. But, both were destroyed in the 600’s by Arabs.


Peter's House

Synagogue

Synagogue Ornamentation

Industrial Park

Basalt Stone Equipment

Residential Area

View of Sea of Galilee


Visit Carl Rasmussen's great site for better pictures and discussion of Capernaum