Location
Overview
Capernaum was a fishing village on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Though the Old Testament never names it, it became the headquarters of Jesus' Galilean ministry — so central that Matthew calls it "his own city" (Matthew 9:1).
The base of Jesus' ministry
After leaving Nazareth, Jesus "came and dwelt in Capernaum" (Matthew 4:13). Here he called Matthew the tax collector from his booth (Matthew 9:9) and taught in the synagogue with an authority that astonished the people (Mark 1:21–22).
A town of miracles
Capernaum saw a remarkable concentration of miracles: the healing of the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5–13), Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:30–31), the paralytic lowered through the roof (Mark 2:1–12), and the discourse on the bread of life in its synagogue (John 6:59).
Judged for unbelief
Yet for all it witnessed, the town did not repent, and Jesus pronounced a solemn woe over it: "And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell" (Matthew 11:23).
Events Here
Jesus leaves Nazareth and settles in Capernaum
Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector
The bread of life discourse in the synagogue
Scripture References
16 versesMatthew4 verses
Matthew 4:13
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
Matthew 8:5
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
Matthew 11:23
And 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 17:24
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? tribute: called in the original, didrachma, being in value fifteen pence sterling; about thirty seven cents
Mark3 verses
Mark 1:21
And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Mark 2:1
And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
Mark 9:33
And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
Luke4 verses
Luke 4:23
And 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 4:31
And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
Luke 7:1
Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
Luke 10:15
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
John5 verses
John 2:12
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
John 4:46
So 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. nobleman: or, courtier, or, ruler
John 6:17
And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
John 6:24
When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
John 6:59
These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
Archaeology & History
The ruins of Capernaum (Tell Hum) have been extensively excavated, revealing a 4th–5th century white-limestone synagogue built over the basalt foundations of an earlier first-century one, and an octagonal Byzantine church raised over a first-century house traditionally identified as Peter's. The town was abandoned by the 11th century.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Capernaum
Where is Capernaum today?
Today, Capernaum corresponds to Kfar Nahum (ruins), Israel.
What does the name Capernaum mean?
The name Capernaum means “Village of Nahum”.
What happened at Capernaum in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Capernaum include jesus leaves nazareth and settles in capernaum; jesus calls matthew the tax collector; the bread of life discourse in the synagogue.
Where is Capernaum first mentioned in the Bible?
Capernaum is first mentioned in Matthew 4:13.
How often is Capernaum mentioned in the Bible?
Capernaum is mentioned in 16 verses across 4 books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
Where is Capernaum today?
Its ruins lie on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel, at the site known as Tell Hum, now an archaeological park.
Why was Capernaum important to Jesus?
He based his Galilean ministry there after leaving Nazareth; Matthew calls it "his own city." He taught in its synagogue and performed many miracles there.