Capernaum

Capernaum sits on the edge of the Sea of Galilee. It is estimated that in New Testament times, 1,500 residents inhabited Capernaum. Today, the ruins of Capernaum are owned by the Franciscans and the Greek Orthodox Church.

Jesus moved His base of operations from Nazareth to the bustling city of Capernaum in fulfillment of “what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet.” (Matthew 4.14)

Capernaum was strategically located on the Via Mares, the international highway that connected Syria and Egypt. From there, the reputation of Jesus spread rapidly throughout the region (see Matthew 4.24-25).

Matthew refers to Capernaum as Jesus’ "own city" (Matthew 9:1). Furthermore, Jesus performed more miracles here than any other city. Even so, the people remained in unbelief. It was here, after Jesus healed people, that the religious leaders attributed His miracles to Satan. (Matthew 12.2-29)

Here are some events that took place in and around Capernaum:

Jesus called the fishermen Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be His disciples from the shores of the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum (Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–21). He also called Matthew, a tax collector, to be a disciple (Matthew 9:9–13).

In Capernaum, Jesus healed the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5–13), a paralytic (Mark 2:1–13), Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:22–24, 35–43), a nobleman's son (John 4:46–54) and Peter's mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14–15; Luke 4:38–39).