Capernaum

Capernaum was Jesus’ “headquarters.” Some believe that He actually stayed in the home of Peter. The house had eleven coats of plaster on its walls, indicating a very special place. Excavations have yielded over 110 pieces of wall plaster referring to Jesus Christ as Lord, the Most High, Savior, Messiah, and also to Peter three times. Fishing hooks and other items have been found under the cement floor.

Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the sea and came to His own city. Matt. 9:1

Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into
Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the Prophet. The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—”The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, and those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a Light dawned.” Matt. 4:12-16

 

This is where we were going to have our morning’s Bible study. Kay was teaching from John 6.

For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day. v. 40

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.”And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” John 6: 63-69

In verse 65 Kay used the illustration of God the Father physically putting His arm around us and presenting us to His Son as He places us in His arms. Wow!

After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick…Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. John 6:1-2; 16-21

In the picture below you see a millstone in the center of the area toward the bottom of the picture.

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matt. 18:6

In this synagogue Jesus gave His sermon on the bread of life.

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh…These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. John 6: 47-51; John 6: 59

The black stone is the synagogue of Jesus. The centurion for whom Jesus healed his slave built the synagogue. Luke 7:5

On Jesus’ first Sabbath in Capernaum, He spoke in the synagogue.

They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Mark 1: 21-22

Under this futuristic building/church lies Peter’s house.

The following pictures are of the remains of Peter’s house.

And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them. When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. Mark 1: 29-33

The paralytic man was let down through the roof of this house.

How intricate these carvings are with the flowers, leaves, and the Star of David.

The stone below boasts a carving of the Ark of the Covenant. It is a chest mounted on six-spoked wheels. It is one of the very few ancient representations of the ark known today.