Capernaum

Capernaum was never a town of much significance in the wider scope of Roman history. But it Bible history it occupies an important place as the location of many of Jesus’ miracles. It also represents people who know of Jesus, see His miracles, but seek Him for what they can receive from Him rather than bow to Him with a heart of repentance.

Jesus cursed three towns along the Sea of Galilee because they saw His works and would not repent (Matthew 11:20-24). Today those three towns are just ruins along the lake shore.

Capernaum which comes from the Hebrew “Kafer Nahum” or town of Nahum was never a very large place by our standards. Archeologists guess that at the time of Jesus the town had less than 1000 inhabitants. Later, after Hadrian forbid Jews from living in Judea after the Bar Kochba Revolt many Jews came and setted in Capernaum, and the city swelled to a population of several thousands. In the 4th century there was both a large and expensive synagogue and a large church located near each other in the city showing a mixed population of Jews and Christians.

Because Capernaum was on the border of two Roman provinces and roads passed nearby that led from Jerusalem to Damascus many merchants and travelers would have passed that way. They would have spread the news abroad of Jesus’ miracles.

Below is a picture of the ruins of the Jewish synagogue in the 4th century. You can see from the picture how large and ornate it must have been, an indication of the wealth of the Jews at that time.