Page 115 - Advanced Bible Geography ebook

And perhaps they were hoping there was still a miracle left for them in the synagogue where Jesus had
preached!

In short, if there needs to be evidence that Jesus lived, the
synagogue of Capernaum offers rock-solid proof that he did.

Bethsaida

Bethsaida was the birthplace of Peter, Andrew, and Philip.
Jesus visited this city quite often (Matt. 11:23-23, Mark 6: 45-
53). There were two places in Israel given this name. One was
on the western side of the Sea of Galilee, a short distance
north of Capernaum. The other was a city located on the east
side of the lake, east of Capernaum. It was originally a fishing
village but was enlarged by Philip the tetrarch and named
Julias, in honor of Julia, daughter of Augustus. It was near this
city, probably on the hillside at the southeastern side of the
city, that the Lord fed 5,000 men, plus women and children
(Luke 9:10-17). A blind man was given his sight close to
Bethsaida (Mark 8:22).

Chorazin (Korazim)
This was an ancient village 2 ½ miles from Capernaum on a hill
above the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Here Jesus
performed mighty works, healing perhaps hundreds of sick.
Despite his works, the people of Chorazin rejected Him as
Messiah and were subsequently cursed (Matt 11:20-24). The
Gospels make no other mention of Chorazin or what works had occurred there. It was not long
after that Chorazin ceased to exist. It is now the site of a National Archaeological Park. The
town’s ruins are spread over an area of 25 acres with a synagogue in the center.

Picture is ancient synagogue in Chorazin (By Lev.Tsimbler - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43433994)

Tabgha

This is an area on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is traditionally accepted as the place
where Jesus fed the 5000 and the fourth resurrection appearance of Jesus (John 21:1-24) after his
crucifixion.

Josephus referred to Tabgha as the “well of Capernaum.” Undoubtedly a popular fishing spot of the
locals because of its famous “seven springs,” Heptapegon (today the name has been corrupted to
Tabgha) is the traditional location for several episodes in Jesus’s ministry.

113