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Capernaum
CAPER'NAUM (ka-per'na-um; "town of Nahum").
A city of
Galilee, frequently mentioned by the evangelists in connection with the life of our
Lord. It was on the western shore of the "Sea of Galilee" (Mt. 4:13; Jn 6:24).
It was of sufficient size to be called a "city" (Mt. 9:1; Mk 1:33), and had
its own
synagogue, in which our Lord frequently taught.
It had a customs station. Capernaum was the residence of
Jesus and His
apostles, and the scene of many miracles and discourses. At
Nazareth He was "brought up," but Capernaum was called His "own city"; it was when He
returned to it that He is said to have been "at home" (Mk 2:1). Here He chose
the evangelist
Matthew, or
Levi (Mt. 9:9>. The brothers
Simon Peter and
Andrew belonged to Capernaum (Mk 1:29).
The doom pronounced against Capernaum and the other unbelieving cities (Mt.
11:23) has been remarkably fulfilled. The town has completely disappeared. The
site isstill a matter of debate.