Capernaum
The village on the north shore — 'his own city' — the Galilean headquarters of Christ's ministry.
Location
Capernaum (Hebrew Kfar Nahum, 'village of Nahum') stood on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, on the main highway between Damascus and the coast. Its site is confirmed by excavations that have uncovered a fourth-century synagogue built upon the black-basalt foundations of a first-century synagogue, and a Byzantine octagonal church over what tradition identifies as the house of Peter.
Biblical importance
Capernaum is called 'his own city' in Matthew 9:1. Christ made it the base of His Galilean ministry after He was 'leaving Nazareth' — the KJV rendering of Matthew 4:13. In and around Capernaum He preached in the synagogue, healed Peter's mother-in-law, called Matthew from the tax-booth, healed the centurion's servant, raised Jairus's daughter, and cast out demons.
Historical timeline
- c. AD 27 — Christ leaves Nazareth and dwells in Capernaum (Matthew 4:13).
- c. AD 27-29 — The Galilean ministry — many of the miracles of Mark 1-5 unfold in and around Capernaum.
- c. AD 29 — The 'Bread of Life' discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum (John 6:59).
- c. AD 29 — Christ pronounces woe on Capernaum for its unbelief (Matthew 11:23-24).
- AD 70 and after — The Roman-Jewish wars leave the town damaged; the community continues into the Byzantine period.
- Fourth century — A grand limestone synagogue is built over the first-century black-basalt one.
- Fifth-sixth century — An octagonal church is built over the traditional house of Peter.
- Eighth century — The town is abandoned after earthquakes.
Important biblical events
- Matthew 4:13 (KJV) Christ dwells in Capernaum.
- Matthew 8:5-13 (KJV) The healing of the centurion's servant.
- Matthew 8:14-15 // Mark 1:29-31 // Luke 4:38-39 (KJV) The healing of Peter's mother-in-law.
- Matthew 9:1-8 (KJV) The healing of the paralysed man let down through the roof (in Mark 2, the roof is opened up).
- Matthew 9:9 (KJV) The call of Matthew from the tax-booth.
- Matthew 11:23-24 (KJV) The woe on Capernaum.
- Mark 5:22-43 (KJV) Jairus, ruler of the synagogue (of Capernaum), and his daughter.
- John 6:59 (KJV) The Bread of Life discourse 'in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.'
Related People
- Christ Jesus — Capernaum was His base.
- Peter — his house was here.
- Andrew — Peter's brother.
- James and John — the sons of Zebedee.
- Matthew — called from a tax-booth in Capernaum.
- Jairus — the ruler of the synagogue whose daughter was raised.
- The centurion — whose faith Christ marvelled at.
Connected Places
- Sea of Galilee — Capernaum sat on its northern shore.
- Nazareth — the town Christ left for Capernaum.
- Jerusalem — the pilgrimage destination south.
Christian tradition
- The site is one of the most instructive archaeological sites of the Holy Land: a first-century synagogue floor beneath a fourth-century synagogue, and a first-century home under a Byzantine church.
- The Franciscans have cared for the site since the medieval period.
- The modern church of St Peter (1990) is built over the traditional house of Peter, preserving the ancient walls beneath.
Household reflection
Capernaum warns the household that being close to Christ is not the same as receiving Him. He walked the streets of Capernaum daily, and yet He said, 'if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day' (Matthew 11:23).
Do not measure the household's faith by how often the Bible is on the shelf, but by how deeply it has entered the heart.
Room connections
Where this entry meets the household in the wider house of CrossAIHub.
- Read (Library) — Read Mark 1-5 aloud as a household — most of it is set in and around Capernaum.
- Pray (Chapel) — Pray the centurion's words before Communion: 'Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof' (Matthew 8:8).
- Family (Kitchen Table) — Serve simple Galilean fare — bread, fish, olives — on the Sunday of the calling of the four.
- Sing (Choir Room) — Sing 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind' (John Greenleaf Whittier, 1872).
- Learn (Workshop) — Study the archaeology of Capernaum — a case study in reading a first-century Jewish and later Christian site.
Further reading
The four Gospels — every Galilean chapter.
Egeria, Travels (late fourth century).
'Capernaum, the Town of Jesus' (Franciscan Studies).
Elsewhere in the Atlas
Continue Your Journey
Where else this page opens into the household library.