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Capernaum in the Bible.

Capernaum is a city in the Bible, about 126 km (79 miles) north of Jerusalem. The King James Version names it in 16 verses, from Matthew 4:13 to John 6:59.

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What happened at Capernaum.

Nahum’s town, a Galilean city frequently mentioned in the history of our Lord. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament. After our Lord’s expulsion from Nazareth (Matt. 4:13-16; Luke 4:16-31), Capernaum became his “own city.” It was the scene of many acts and incidents of his life (Matt. 8:5, 14, 15; 9:2-6, 10-17; 15:1-20; Mark 1:32-34, etc.). The impenitence and unbelief of its inhabitants after the many evidences our Lord gave among them of the truth of his mission, brought down upon them a heavy denunciation of judgement (Matt. 11:23).

It stood on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. The “land of Gennesaret,” near, if not in, which it was situated, was one of the most prosperous and crowded districts of Palestine. This city lay on the great highway from Damascus to Acco and Tyre. It has been identified with Tell Hum, about two miles south-west of where the Jordan flows into the lake. Here are extensive ruins of walls and foundations, and also the remains of what must have been a beautiful synagogue, which it is conjectured may have been the one built by the centurion (Luke 7:5), in which our Lord frequently taught (John 6:59; Mark 1:21; Luke 4:33). Others have conjectured that the ruins of the city are to be found at Khan Minyeh, some three miles further to the south on the shore of the lake. “If Tell Hum be Capernaum, the remains spoken of are without doubt the ruins of the synagogue built by the Roman centurion, and one of the most sacred places on earth. It was in this building that our Lord gave the well-known discourse in John 6; and it was not without a certain strange feeling that on turning over a large block we found the pot of manna engraved on its face, and remembered the words, ‘I am that bread of life: your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.’”, (The Recovery of Jerusalem.)

From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897).

People named with Capernaum.

Jesus 5Naphtali 1Simon 1Zebulun 1

Near Capernaum.

All 16 verses that name Capernaum.

Matthew 4

  • Matthew 4:13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
  • Matthew 8:5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
  • Matthew 11:23And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
  • Matthew 17:24And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

Mark 3

  • Mark 1:21And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
  • Mark 2:1And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
  • Mark 9:33And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

Luke 4

  • Luke 4:23And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
  • Luke 4:31And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
  • Luke 7:1Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
  • Luke 10:15And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

John 5

  • John 2:12After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
  • John 4:46So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
  • John 6:17And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
  • John 6:24When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
  • John 6:59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

Questions about Capernaum.

Where is Capernaum in the Bible?

Capernaum is a city about 126 km (79 miles) north of Jerusalem. BibleLectio shows it on a painted map of the Bible’s world, with every verse that names it.

How many times is Capernaum named in the Bible?

The King James Version names Capernaum in 16 verses, in 4 books, from Matthew 4:13 to John 6:59.

Which people are named with Capernaum in the Bible?

The verses that name Capernaum also name Jesus, Naphtali, Simon and Zebulun.

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