Capernaum

Capernaum is often referred to as Jesus’ adopted home town because many of the stories from His ministry took place here. It is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Significant excavation of the old town has been done by archaeologists. An octagonal church was built over the excavated site believed to be Peter’s mother’s house. A Jewish synagogue is built on the foundation of where the synagogue was in Jesus’ day.

Map of the north shore of the Sea of Galilee

An aerial view of Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

The entrance to Capernaum, ‘The Town of Jesus’

The synagogue in Capernaum

Excavation of the houses in Capernaum with the octagonal church in the background.

Inside the octagonal church built over the excavation site believed to be Peter’s mother’s house.

Another aerial view of Capernaum

Some Relevant Scriptures
Matthew 4:12-17 NLT
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. [13] He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. [14] This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah: [15] “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, [16] the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” [17] From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Mark 1:21-22, 29-31 NLT
Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. [22] The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority-quite unlike the teachers of religious law. [29] After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. [30] Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. [31] So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

Mark 2:1 NLT
When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home.