Sea of Galilee
GalileeLake in Galilee · today Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), Israel
Meaning: “Also called Chinnereth, Gennesaret, and the Sea of Tiberias”
A freshwater lake in northern Israel where Jesus called His first disciples, walked on water, calmed a storm, and performed many miracles. The center of much of Jesus's Galilean ministry.
Location
Overview
The Sea of Galilee is a large freshwater lake in northern Israel, fed by the Jordan River. Known in the Old Testament as Chinnereth and elsewhere as the lake of Gennesaret or the Sea of Tiberias, its shores were the heartland of Jesus’ Galilean ministry.
The calling of the first disciples
Beside this sea Jesus called the fishermen Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, saying, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:18–22).
Miracles on the water
The lake is famous for sudden storms. Jesus calmed one with a word, "Peace, be still" (Mark 4:39), and on another night walked across the water to his disciples (Matthew 14:25). Nearby he fed the five thousand and taught the crowds from a boat.
After the resurrection
It was on the shore of this sea that the risen Jesus prepared breakfast for his disciples and restored Peter, three times asking, "Lovest thou me?" (John 21:1–17).
Events Here
Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John by the sea
Jesus calms the storm with a word
Jesus walks on the water to the disciples
The risen Jesus restores Peter on the shore
Scripture References
15 versesNumbers1 verse
Numbers 34:11
And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward:
Deuteronomy1 verse
Deuteronomy 3:17
The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdoth–pisgah eastward.
Joshua4 verses
Joshua 11:2
And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,
Joshua 12:3
And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Beth–jeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdoth–pisgah:
Joshua 13:27
And in the valley, Beth–aram, and Beth–nimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.
Joshua 19:35
And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,
Matthew3 verses
Matthew 4:18
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Matthew 14:34
And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
Matthew 15:29
And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
Mark3 verses
Mark 1:16
Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Mark 6:53
And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.
Mark 7:31
And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
Luke1 verse
Luke 5:1
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
Archaeology & History
The lake sits about 210 metres below sea level, ringed by hills that funnel winds into the sudden squalls the Gospels describe. In 1986 a first-century fishing boat — the so-called "Jesus Boat" — was recovered from the mud near its shore and is now displayed at Kibbutz Ginosar. Ancient harbours and the fishing towns of Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Magdala have all been excavated along its rim.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Sea of Galilee
Where is Sea of Galilee today?
Today, Sea of Galilee corresponds to Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), Israel.
What does the name Sea of Galilee mean?
The name Sea of Galilee means “Also called Chinnereth, Gennesaret, and the Sea of Tiberias”.
What happened at Sea of Galilee in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Sea of Galilee include jesus calls peter, andrew, james, and john by the sea; jesus calms the storm with a word; jesus walks on the water to the disciples.
Where is Sea of Galilee first mentioned in the Bible?
Sea of Galilee is first mentioned in Numbers 34:11.
How often is Sea of Galilee mentioned in the Bible?
Sea of Galilee is mentioned in 15 verses across 7 books: Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
What is the Sea of Galilee called in the Bible?
It is named the Sea of Chinnereth in the Old Testament, and the lake of Gennesaret or the Sea of Tiberias in the New Testament.
What miracles happened at the Sea of Galilee?
Jesus calmed a storm, walked on its water, called his first disciples beside it, and after his resurrection restored Peter on its shore.