Capernaum

The fishing village on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee that served as the operational headquarters of Jesus’s public ministry. After leaving Nazareth, Jesus “went and lived in Capernaum by the sea” (Matthew 4:13), making it “his own city” (Matthew 9:1) and the site of many miracles and teachings.

Capernaum was home to several of Jesus’ closest disciples. Peter and Andrew lived there, and Jesus taught in Peter’s house, healing Peter’s mother-in-law of fever (Mark 1:29-31). The city had both a synagogue—where Jesus taught with authority and cast out demons (Mark 1:21-28)—and a Roman military presence, evidenced by the centurion whose servant Jesus healed (Matthew 8:5-13).

Many of Jesus’ most significant miracles occurred in Capernaum: healing the paralytic lowered through the roof (Mark 2:1-12), raising Jairus’s daughter from death (Mark 5:21-43), and the mass healing of crowds who came at sunset (Mark 1:32-34). His famous “Bread of Life” discourse, where many disciples turned away, took place in Capernaum’s synagogue (John 6:22-66).

Despite witnessing these mighty works, Capernaum largely rejected Jesus, prompting his prophetic judgment: “And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day” (Matthew 11:23). Archaeological excavations have revealed the ancient synagogue and what is traditionally identified as Peter’s house, now marked by a modern church.