| Capernaum |
| John 6:59 These
things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum |
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| In
1905, the ruins of a synagogue were discovered
at Capernaum in Galilee. |
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Synagogue
at Capernaum. The ruins of an older synagogue
remain beneath it.
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| An
overhead view of Capernaum. |
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History
Capernaum was a large Galilean fishing village
and busy trading center. This place is of special
interest to Christians because of its frequent
mention in the history of Jesus Christ. Peter,
Andrew, James and John also lived here. It
played a unique and important part in Christ's
life and ministry, and in his outreach to the
people of Israel. The inhabitants of Capernaum,
including various high ranking citizens, were
given unique and abundant opportunities to
hear Jesus Christ's message firsthand and witness
His awesome power and love.
2.5 miles (4 km) from the Jordan River,
Capernaum stood on the northwestern shore
of the Sea of Galilee (modern Lake Kinneret,
which the Bible also called the lake of Gennesaret,
Sea of Chinnereth and the Sea of Tiberias).
The ancient city of Capernaum was abandoned
about a thousand years ago or more, and was
rediscovered by archaeologists beginning
in the 1800s. In modern times, it is called
Kefar Nahum (Hebrew) and Talhum (Arabic).
The Synagogue at Capernaum
The remains of what must have
been a beautiful basalt synagogue has
been discovered
by archaeologists. As expected for such a sacred
building, it was found at the highest point in
town.
The synagogue is near the lake, and is built
so that when the Jews prayed here, they faced
Jerusalem. It was destroyed along with Jerusalem's
temple, around 70 A.D. Many years later,
it was replaced with a white stone synagogue
(perhaps 250-300 A.D.) The
ruins of an older synagogue remain under
it. -Photos
Scriptures
John 6:59 These
things said he in the synagogue, as he
taught in Capernaum.
Luke 4:31 And came
down to Capernaum,
a city of Galilee, and taught them on the
sabbath
days.
Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum;
and straightway on the sabbath day he entered
into the synagogue, and taught.
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