The Church in Capernaum

Question?  -  Newsletter  -  New!  -  Ad Space
Location of New Testament Churches
Alexandria   -   Antioch   -   Athens   -   Babylon
Berea   -   Caesarea   -   Colosse   -   Derbe
Joppa   -   Philippi   -   Thessalonica   -   More!
Jesus, near the beginning of his ministry, left his hometown of Nazareth and made Capernaum his primary residence (Matthew 4:13 - 17). This move was in fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 9:1 - 2).

Capernaum, recorded only in the Gospel accounts, is located on the far northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was, in New Testament times, one of Galilee's economic centers.

The city was significant enough to warrant a large Jewish population which was served by several synagogues. It was even large enough to justify its own tax collectors, one of which, Matthew, became one of Jesus' disciples.

And after going into the ship, He (Jesus) passed over and came to His own city . . . And passing from there, Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and said to him, "Follow Me." And he arose and followed Him (Matthew 9:1, 9, HBFV, see also Mark 2:1,13 - 15).

No less than five of the original twelve apostles (James, John, Andrew, Peter and Matthew) had a home in Capernaum.


Capernaum New Testament Churches Map

Although Jesus performed many mighty miracles in and around the city, the people initially rejected his message (Matthew 11:20 - 24). It is possible, however, that sometime later a small Christian community or church sprang up in Capernaum. Jewish synagogues, especially in the first century, were fertile grounds to plant the seeds of the gospel.

According to Holman's Bible Dictionary, second century A.D. Talmudic sources refer to the city as the home of Jewish heretics (Minim) who are generally believed to have been Jewish Christians.

"Talmudic sources of the second century refer to Capernaum as the home of some Jewish heretics (“Minim”) who are generally taken to have been Jewish Christians. An early Christian traveler, Egeria, in 381 - 384 A.D., reported a church on the site of the home of the apostle Peter . . ." (Holman Bible Dictionary).

Tyndale's Bible Dictionary states that, as early as the first half of the second century, the area believed to be Peter's house in Capernaum had served as an assembly hall (church building) for early Christians.

Recommended Articles
When Did Jesus Visit Home for Last Time?
What Is the Great Commission?
Why Did Jesus Move to Capernaum?
Why Did Many Disciples Leave Christ?
Timeline of Jesus' Baptism and Temptation
What Were Jesus' Synagogue Miracles?
Top Seven Places Apostle Paul Visited!
What Is the New Covenant?

New Testament Churches
Introduction
Cenchrea
Corinth   -   Crete   -   Cyprus
Cyrene   -   Damascus   -   Hierapolis
Iconium   -   Jerusalem   -   Lydda
Lystra   -   Pella   -   Ptolemais
Puteoli   -   Rome   -   Sidon   -   Tarsus
Troas   -   Tyre
Revelation's Churches


Series Sources
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
1913 Catholic Encyclopedia
Complete Book of When and Where
Easton's Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Holman Bible Dictionary
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Life and Epistles of Apostle Paul
Parsons Bible Maps



Quotes in this series taken from
Holy Bible in Its Original Order
unless noted.