CAPERNAUM

Capernaum, while not mentioned in the Old Testament, is the most important city on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee in Jesus’ time. It is located on the northwest shore of the lake, and it stood beside the Via Maris (the way of the Sea) going from Egypt to Damascus. The Romans set up a station for collecting taxes here, and this is where Jesus met Matthew and called him to be His disciple. (Matt. 9:9f ) Many of the miracles of Jesus took place in Capernaum, such as the healing of the centurion’s son (Matthew 8:5-13), Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14), the woman with the issue of blood, and the healings in the synagogue itself. Peter took money from the fish’s mouth here at Capernaum. (Matthew 17:24ff) Capernaum became the headquarters of Jesus in His Galilean ministry and was called "Christ’s own city." When the people of Capernaum refused to believe, Jesus pronounced a curse upon the city. (Matthew 11:23,24) Capernaum was the site of a Roman military base and was the reason for a Roman centurion being there. Incredibly interesting ruins still stand in Capernaum today that contain the stones that once reflected the echoes of the voice of Jesus.