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Capernaum: A Central Locale in Jesus’ Ministry

Capernaum, a city of significant relevance during Jesus’ time on earth, was situated on the northwest shores of the Sea of Galilee. This city, recognized for its size and importance, featured a tax office where Jesus famously called Matthew to follow him (Matthew 9:9). It likely housed a military post, as evidenced by the presence of a centurion (Matthew 8:5). Furthermore, an affluent royal official who owned slaves also resided there (John 4:46-53), underscoring Capernaum’s prominence as a notable “city of Galilee” (Luke 4:31).

The exact historical location of Capernaum has been debated, with two main sites proposed. Initially, many believed the ruins at Khan Minyeh on the northeastern edge of the Plain of Gennesaret were Capernaum. However, subsequent excavations suggest these ruins are of Arab origin. This has shifted focus to Tell Hum (Kefar Nahum), another extensive ruin site located about 4 kilometers northeast from Khan Minyeh and nearly the same distance southwest from where the Jordan River meets the Sea of Galilee. The area, bordered by a narrow coastal plain, was historically connected by a road that extended from the Jordan, passing through Capernaum to reach the Plain of Gennesaret, linking to the major trade route from Mesopotamia and Damascus through Palestine to Egypt. Several springs in the Plain of Gennesaret feed into the Sea of Galilee, attracting numerous fish due to the high content of vegetable matter they carry, making it an ideal spot for fishing.

At the onset of his ministry, following his first miracle at the wedding in Cana, Jesus traveled with his mother, brothers, and disciples from Cana to Capernaum. They stayed briefly before proceeding to Jerusalem for the Passover in the year 30 C.E. (John 2:12, 13).

Capernaum’s Role in Jesus’ Ministry

After initiating his extensive ministry in Galilee and while visiting Cana, Jesus performed a remarkable long-distance healing of a royal official’s son, who was in Capernaum, approximately 26 kilometers away. This miracle quickly became the talk of the region (John 4:46-54), and by the time Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, the locals were already expecting him to replicate the wonders performed in Capernaum (Luke 4:16, 23). After facing hostility in Nazareth, Jesus relocated to Capernaum, situated in the territories of Zebulun and Naphtali beside the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:13-16; Luke 4:28-31). This move fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy about a great light illuminating the lives of those dwelling in darkness (Isaiah 9:1, 2).

Near the Plain of Gennesaret, southwest of Capernaum, Jesus reencountered Peter and Andrew, who were already his disciples, and invited them to join him more fully in his ministry (John 1:35-42; Mark 1:16-21). He extended the same invitation to James and John shortly thereafter. Jesus’ activities continued in Capernaum’s synagogue, where he healed a man tormented by a demon, and news of his teachings and miracles spread rapidly throughout the region (Luke 4:31-37; Mark 1:21-28). Peter and Andrew’s home in Capernaum also became a center of Jesus’ healing work, starting with the cure of Peter’s mother-in-law, which led to many bringing their sick and demon-possessed to him (Mark 1:29-34; Luke 4:38-41).

The interior of the modern Memorial built over the house of Peter

Following a preaching circuit throughout Galilee with his four disciples from the Capernaum area, Jesus returned to what had become known as “his own city,” where he was truly at home (Matthew 9:1; Mark 2:1). Here, he performed another significant healing, curing a paralytic lowered through the roof of the house he was in due to the overwhelming crowds (Mark 2:2-12). During his time in Capernaum, Jesus also encountered Matthew at the tax office, inviting him to become a disciple. This led to a significant gathering at Matthew’s home, attended by many tax collectors and criticized by the Pharisees (Matthew 9:9-11; Luke 5:27-30).

Capernaum: A Focal Point in Jesus’ Ministry

After attending the Passover of 31 C.E. in Judea and Jerusalem, Jesus returned to Galilee. It is believed that near Capernaum, on a mountain, he selected the 12 apostles and presented the Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6:12-49). Upon entering Capernaum, Jesus encountered Jewish elders who interceded for a Roman centurion. This officer had earned their respect by constructing a synagogue in the city and showed remarkable faith in Jesus’ healing abilities, similar to an earlier miracle Jesus performed for a royal official’s child. Astonished by the centurion’s faith, Jesus predicted that people from diverse regions would join biblical patriarchs in the heavenly kingdom (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10).

As Jesus concluded his second preaching tour in Galilee, and after activities in the region of the Gerasenes southeast of the Sea of Galilee, he returned to the Capernaum area (Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1, 21; Luke 8:26, 40). On the shores, amidst a hopeful crowd, a woman was healed by merely touching Jesus’ garment. Subsequently, Jesus performed a significant miracle by reviving Jairus’ daughter, a local synagogue leader’s child. Despite Jesus’ instructions to keep this event private, news of the resurrection spread widely (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:40-56). In or near Capernaum, Jesus also healed two blind men and a mute man possessed by a demon (Matthew 9:27-34).

Before the Passover of 32 C.E., at the end of his third Galilean preaching tour, Jesus walked on the waters of the Sea of Galilee as he traveled to the Gennesaret shores near Capernaum (Matthew 14:23-34; Mark 6:53; John 6:17-71). Once in Capernaum, he addressed the crowds that had followed him, challenging their materialistic interest in his teachings, which led many disciples to abandon him, leaving behind only the truly devoted. Likely in Capernaum, following the Passover of 32 C.E., Jesus also confronted Pharisees who critiqued his disciples’ practices while undermining the Scriptures with their traditions (Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23; John 7:1).

Capernaum: The Closing Chapters of Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee

In Capernaum, shortly before the Festival of Booths in 32 C.E., as Jesus was concluding his intensive activities in Galilee and the northern regions, he performed several notable actions. Here, he miraculously provided funds for the temple tax and shared teachings on the nature of greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven, the care for strayed sheep, and the resolution of conflicts (Matthew 17:24–18:35; Mark 9:33-50; Luke 9:46-50).

Jesus grouped Capernaum with Chorazin and Bethsaida as cities where he had performed many of his mighty works (Matthew 11:20-24; Luke 10:13-15). Despite the spiritual elevation these cities experienced through his teachings and miracles, Capernaum was prophesied to face a severe decline. Employing hyperbole, Jesus remarked that even Sodom might have endured had it received the blessings bestowed upon Capernaum. In modern times, Capernaum has ceased to exist as an inhabited city, with its remains, known as Tell Hum or Kefar Nahum, extending approximately 1.5 kilometers along the seacoast.

Excavations at the ancient city of Capernaum.

Capernaum: Historical Insights and Archaeological Discoveries

The Hebrew name “Kefar Nahum” translates to “house of Nahum,” with Nahum being a common name in Hebrew culture. There is no evidence linking this name to the prophet Nahum from the Old Testament. The name underwent changes over time, being transliterated into Greek and then into English as “Capernaum.” The Jewish historian Josephus often refers to this area as Capharnaum or Cepharnocus, indicating the town of Capernaum and its surrounding regions. In his description of the area near the Lake of Gennesar (Sea of Galilee), Josephus notes:

“Skirting the lake of Gennesar, and also bearing that name, lies a region whose natural properties and beauty are quite remarkable.… Besides being favoured by its genial air, the country is watered by a highly fertilizing spring, called by the inhabitants Capharnaum.… This region extends along the border of the lake.” (Jewish War 3.516–521)

Furthermore, Josephus recounts an incident during the Jewish war with Rome, where he mentions Capernaum:

“The horse on which I went into action stumbled on a marshy spot and brought me with him to the ground. Having fractured some bones in the wrist, I was carried to a village called Cepharnocus [i.e., Capernaum].” (The Life 402–404)

Archaeological efforts have uncovered much of Capernaum. Excavations revealed numerous first-century structures built from black basalt, including streets and houses. One house, notably converted into a church by the second century C.E., is steeped in ancient Christian tradition as being the home of the apostle Peter, although this claim remains unverified.

Among other significant findings in Capernaum is a synagogue constructed from white limestone in the fifth to sixth centuries C.E. However, beneath this structure, archaeologists found the remains of an earlier synagogue from the first century C.E. built of black basalt. Additional discoveries from the first and second centuries C.E. include a mausoleum with five sarcophagi and a mile marker from the Via Maris, a Roman road that stretched from Egypt to Damascus. This road passed close to Capernaum, likely confirming the biblical references to a tax-collection station in the town.

In conclusion, the brief yet significant mentions of Capernaum by Josephus, coupled with the comprehensive archaeological findings, affirm the historical existence of this small town during the first century C.E. The proximity of the Via Maris supports the presence of a tax station in Capernaum, as suggested in the Gospels.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is the CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored more than 220 books and is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).