Why Was Capernaum Such a Central Hub in Jesus' Ministry?
- Emma Danzey Contributing Writer
- Updated Apr 20, 2022
Did you grow up in a fishing community? Have you ever lived in a busy market town? If you look up Capernaum, Israel online today, you will see a town located just north of the Sea of Galilee and northeast from the city of Nazareth. Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth. However, much of his adult ministry was in the very important, Capernaum. Today we are going to discover why Capernaum was such a central hub in Jesus’ ministry.
What Did Jesus Do in Capernaum?
This small fishing community played a major role in the ministry of Christ. We see Capernaum mentioned 19 times throughout the gospels. Four of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen in this town. Picture brothers going out onto their boats and casting their nets daily to sell to the market. These men must have been very dependent on God to provide for them and their families.
Capernaum seems to be a familiar place of renewal for Jesus. We see him go to Capernaum after the wedding at Cana where he performed his first miracle of water to wine (John 2:12). Jesus also cast out the evil spirit of a man in a synagogue. The evil spirit recognized Jesus as God. Jesus cast the demon out and people were amazed and word about Him spread around all of Galilee (Mark 4:21-28, Luke 4:31-37). Jesus then goes with his new disciples to Peter’s house when He healed Peter’s sick mother-in-law. What is incredible is that in the night, Jesus continued to heal many people and drive out demons, but he kept the demons silent because then knew who He was, even the demons know Jesus is God (Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 4:32-34, Luke 4:38-41).
The next morning, we see Jesus slipped away to a solitary place to pray (Mark 4:35, Luke 4:42-44). He found a special place in Capernaum to get away with the Father. I imagine what it is like to go to a familiar place and receive rest. I wonder if Capernaum was a special place for Jesus to have rest and alone time with the Father? What a peaceful setting to be near the Sea of Galilee connecting with God?
Jesus healed the paralytic in Capernaum (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26). Jesus also calls Matthew in Capernaum by saying, “Follow Me” to Matthew at his tax booth (Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:27-32). Another time on Jesus’ way to Capernaum, His disciples argued who was the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus teaches that the first will be last and the last will be first (Matthew 18:1-5, Mark 9:33-41, Luke 9:46-50). He goes on to tell of the value of little children.
Jesus also healed the servant of the Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10, John 4:43-52). After Jesus walked on the water, the Disciples could not find him and went to Capernaum to look for Him. Jesus makes the first “I Am” statement, “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:22-58). Jesus also taught many times in the synagogue of Capernaum. Jesus instructed on divorce in Capernaum (Matthew 19:1-12, Mark 1:1-10). Jesus also healed Jairus’ daughter here (Luke 8:40-56).
After so many teachings and healings, you would think that Capernaum would be fully engaged in the mission of Jesus, but many people rejected him there. Jesus gives a lesson about unrepentance in Capernaum (Matthew 11:20-24, Luke 10:13-16). He warns the city of their unbelief. We think about how often Jesus still presents Himself to people today, but they do not believe in Him. Jesus was and always will be the Savior of this world and we each have the choice to accept His gift of salvation by faith or reject Him.
What Was Capernaum Known For?
Capernaum was known for being the place where Jesus began His ministry. After John the Baptist was killed, Jesus left Nazareth and moved to Capernaum to begin His work (Matthew 4:12-17, Isaiah 9:1-7, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 4:14-15). The first disciples were called to follow Jesus there (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11, John 1:35-42). He called Peter and Andrew, then He called James and John while they were fishing. He asked Peter and Andrew to put their nets on the other side of the boat after they had been fishing all night, and their catch was abundant. He invited them to become fishers of men.
Lisa Loraine Baker from Bible Study Tools teaches that Capernaum sat on what is called the Via Maris where the main trade route from Egypt to Damascus. She explains how Jesus performed more miracles and preached more in the city of Capernaum than anywhere else. The Jewish leaders were very hard on Jesus here and questioned Him often.
Capernaum was known in the time of Jesus as having many Jewish leaders because of the synagogue. In fact, the Capernaum Synagogue is considered a historical landmark today. Bible Places shares that the construction of the famous synagogue must have been later than the first century. In the time of Christ, the walls were four feet wide. They share, “The entire western wall still exists and was used as the foundation for the later synagogue.”
Why Is it Such an Important City in the Bible?
Capernaum was a key city in Jesus’ ministry because it was a main trading location. Since the town sits on the Sea of Galilee, it has always been a fishing community where many would come to trade or travel through. This gave Jesus a strategic location in spreading His message of hope through the variety of people who He would encounter. Jesus’ message was for all people, so to be centralized in a melting pot location created a wonderful opportunity to share His love with a diverse group of people. His message would then go back with all of the visitors to their towns to be shared.
Lysa Terkeurst teaches in a video clip from her Bible study Finding I Am about Capernaum. She explains how this metropolis was vital in Jesus’ ministry. She says that Capernaum means, “City of comfort.” Lysa shares that she did not realize so many of Jesus’ miracles and ministry happened in Capernaum.
Important Facts about Capernaum
Five of Jesus’ Disciples were from Capernaum: Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew.
Jesus moved to Capernaum after growing up in Nazareth.
Capernaum was a popular trading city, so the ministry opportunity was amazing.
Capernaum is called the Village of Nahum. The minor prophet might have been from Capernaum.
There is a modern church built on top of the ruins of the disciple Peter’s ancient home.
It is easy to separate ourselves from the Bible as a story, but the Bible is a historical account of real events which happened in the world. Capernaum is a real place where you can visit today. There are even many wonderful tools online to experience what this area and culture look like through videos, articles, and reading about others' experiences who have visited. Everyone comes from a different background, but it is essential for us to learn about the cultural times of Christ and gain a better understanding of our God who walked this earth. When we learn about where Jesus lived and preached, we can have a greater appreciation of who He is and have a clearer picture of what His ministry setting looked like in His day.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/vvvita
