Biblical city
Capernaum
Kfar Nahum, Israel · Galilee
A fishing village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum became the base of Jesus' Galilean ministry (Matthew 4:13). The site preserves a later white limestone synagogue built over first-century black basalt foundations and a house venerated from early times as Peter's.
History in Scripture
A fishing town on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee that Jesus made his base of operations (Matthew 4:13). Peter, Andrew, James, John and Matthew were connected with it; the centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law and the paralysed man lowered through the roof all belong to Capernaum. Jesus also pronounced judgment on it for unbelief (Matthew 11:23).
The ancient city
The town sat on a trade route near a customs post and the Galilee fishing grounds, which explains both Matthew's tax booth and the fishing partnerships. Basalt houses clustered around courtyards, and a synagogue stood at its centre.
The site today
Tel Capernaum is an excavated site open to visitors. A fourth- or fifth-century white limestone synagogue stands on black basalt foundations of an earlier one, and an octagonal Byzantine church marks the house traditionally identified as Peter's.
Key passages
Sources & notes
Description summarizes standard historical and archaeological reference works. Imagery is added separately and is labeled by type.