Discovering the City of Capernaum
Today, we are heading to the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee to explore a town that is arguably more central to the Gospels than any other location outside of Jerusalem: The City of Capernaum. Often referred to in the Gospel of Matthew as Jesus’s "own city," Capernaum wasn't just a place Jesus passed through. It was the absolute nerve center of His Galilean ministry. But what made this humble fishing village so important? And what has modern archaeology revealed about the streets Jesus actually walked? Let's dig into the facts. Why Capernaum? When Jesus left His hometown of Nazareth, He didn't retreat into the wilderness. He moved to Capernaum. From a strategic standpoint, this made perfect sense. Capernaum sat right on the Via Maris (the "Way of the Sea"), a major international trade route connecting Egypt to Damascus. It was a bustling, diverse border town complete with a Roman garrison and a customs office. By setting up His home base h...