JESUS MAKES CAPERNAUM HIS BASE

Christ Preaching at Capernaum by Maurycy Gottlieb, 1878-79

(The artist is shown third from the lower right corner wearing a red skull cap.)

Matthew 4:13-17, Mark1:14b-15, Luke 4:14b-15;31

Capernaum, Galilee

And leaving Nazareth, he came down to and dwelt in Capernaum, a city of Galilee, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet, saying,

“The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” [Isaiah 9:1-2 (The land of Zabulon and Nephthalim or Naphtali were captured by Assyria and the people taken away – see 2 Kings 15:29. These lands lay to the east side of Galilee, but west of the Sea of Galilee. After the Assyrians conquered these two tribal inheritances, the Zabulon and Nephtali became part of the Lost Tribes of Isreal. Capernaum would have been at the edge of Naphtali and thus the people there would see a great light as Jesus settled there to preach.]

Why Capernaum? 

Obviously it says in the passage that this fulfilled a prophecy made by Isaiah. The doubters and critics will say either the author of the Scripture simply made things up to fit such prophesies or that Jesus, knowing the prophesies, went here for that purpose. I don’t except either scenario. The Gospel writers are simply pointing out where prophecies were fulfilled, a reasonable thing to do to prove your case. 

Actually it made logical sense for Jesus to settle in Capernaum after his row in Nazareth and the recent events in Jerusalem. 

Capernaum was blessed with a clime for abundant food. According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, who had first hand knowledge of the city:

"The country also that lies over against this lake hath the same name of Gennesareth; its nature is wonderful as well as its beauty; its soil is so fruitful that all sorts of trees can grow upon it, and the inhabitants accordingly plant all sorts of trees there; for the temper of the air is so well mixed, that it agrees very well with those several sorts, particularly walnuts, which require the coldest air, flourish there in vast plenty; there are palm trees also, which grow best in hot air; fig trees also and olives grow near them, which yet require an air that is more temperate. One may call this place the ambition of nature, where it forces those plants that are naturally enemies to one another to agree together; it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if every one of them laid claim to this country; for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men's expectation, but preserves them a great while; it supplies men with the principal fruits, with grapes and figs continually, during ten months of the year and the rest of the fruits as they become ripe together through the whole year; for besides the good temperature of the air, it is also watered from a most fertile fountain. The people of the country call it Capharnaum. Some have thought it to be a vein of the Nile, because it produces the Coracin fish as well as that lake does which is near to Alexandria. The length of this country extends itself along the banks of this lake that bears the same name for thirty furlongs, and is in breadth twenty, And this is the nature of that place. " -- Wars-Book III, 10, 8

The city also was on the coast of the Sea of Galilee and a fishing center. This meant food was plentiful and easily attainable here, but there were more compelling reasons.

It was a more heterogeneous place, more urban. It wasn’t just a Jewish settlement, but a Roman garrison was located there, as well as a customs port, which meant order would be kept. We also must recall Jesus first recorded healing just prior to his move here, when he had been in Cana. He had healed the son of a nobleman, and official, a man of some power and station. Where did that man live? He lived in Capernaum and do you not think he would have provided some protection to Jesus?

Several of the men who came to Jesus when he was with John the Baptist and had traveled back to Galilee with him lived here or very nearby. Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John and Philip all lived in Bethsaida.

Jesus went to Capernaum, though, so where is Bethsaida. Well, that is a good question. There is a possibility there were two locations called Bethsaida. When dealing with ancient history we often have these problems with names and exact locations of places. The most accepted location is a bit further to the east of Capernaum, but still in range of an easy walk. There isn’t any doubt about this town; however, it is also believed by many historians there was a second place also called Bethsaida at the time that lay right beside Capernaum, close enough it could be considered part of the city. It doesn’t matter; both or either location was close enough to provide Jesus with places to stay if need be.

There is yet another reason for Jesus to come to Capernaum. It was something of a hub city and would have afforded easy travel in many directions, or escape if need be. It wasn’t far from the eastern border into Syria or Perea. The main Roman Road running East-West began in Capernaum, a major route. You could also travel by boat across the Sea of Galilee.

In other words, this place was perfect for setting up as his home base.

From that time Jesus began to preach, and taught them on the Sabbath days and to say, “The time is fulfilled. Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” 

And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.