JESUS’ TOWN

Nov 29

*The view from Peter’s house on the Sea of Galilee.*

On the northernmost shores of the Sea of Galilee, nestled at the base of the slopes of the picturesque Mount of Beatitudes, lies the ruins of a small village, a “k’far” in the Hebrew language, that many believe was the hometown of the prophet Nahum.

Why?

Because “k’far Nachum” (pronounced keh-Far na-Khoom) means quite literally, “Village of Nahum”. Of course, after a few translations from Hebrew to Greek to English, we’re simply left with Capernaum, the town of Jesus or, in Hebrew, Yeshua.

“I thought Jesus was from Nazareth,” you may be thinking. True, and despite Jesus of Nazareth having been born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, the book of Matthew tells us He left Nazareth and lived in Capernaum by the Sea, in the same village where Peter and Andrew had their fishing business and homes! (Matt 4:13)

*A Bird’s Eye View of Capernaum*

*The synagogue (center) is located just a few yards north of the location of Peter’s house (octagonal roof)*

You know how much I love walking around Israel with my Bible open. It’s because of places like Capernaum! On my first visit to Israel, Sarah and I walked into town reading from the book of Mark…

They (Simon, Andrew, James, John, and Jesus) went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching. (Mark 1:21)

We had just walked that same path! About 50 yards away from the entrance stands a 4th Century synagogue with multiple areas excavated down to the previous synagogue: exposing the very stones on which Jesus would have stood! It was here the people were amazed at His teaching and authority! (v22) It was here that Jesus rebuked an unclean spirit! (vs 23-26)

*Exploring Capernaum’s synagogue for the first time!*

They left the synagogue and went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew…”

Sure enough, 40 yards south, toward the coast, sits Peter’s house, its location kept secret and safe for 300 years until Christianity was legalized by Emperor Constantine. Again, the original stone floors are visible after 2,000 years!

*Sarah overlooking the original floor of Simon Peter’s home!*

Before this trip, I couldn’t have told you where Capernaum was. Somewhere around Galilee I would have guessed. But now, when I read anything about Capernaum, I can feel the breeze off the water, smell the blossoms in the trees, and I know what sunrises and sunsets could have looked like from Peter’s front door!

That knowledge doesn’t change the Truth on which I stand, but it has made that Truth far more solid, far easier to embrace.

Come and see Capernaum with your own eyes!