Pronounced: kuh PURR nay uhm.

In Hebrew, Caper represents "village," thus "village of Nahum." Nahum means, "compassionate," so, "village of the compassionate."

As a result, one can see partly why our Lord spent so much time here; He was well received. A major reason Jesus was more accepted by these Jews in contrast to those of Judea, and in particular, the orthodox Jew of Jerusalem, was that these Galilean Jews were predominately Hellenistic Jews, that is Jews who openly embraced the Greek (and Roman) culture while maintaining their own religious practices and worship. Not so with the Jews of Jerusalem who opposed that Hellenistic culture and adhered strictly to the traditional ceremonial life of their fathers. (Keep in mind that Nicodemus was from this Galilean Hellenistic background.)

Capernaum is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

In Jesus' day, it was a thriving town located at the northwestern shore of Lake Galilee (also called Chinnereth, or Cinneroth in the Old Testament, and Gennesaret, or Tiberias in the New, each meaning, "circle," or "circuit"). It lay 2-3 miles west of the entry of the Jordan river, and some 20 miles NE of Nazareth (an easy day's journey).

It contained a large synagogue dating back to the 3rd century B.C., and probably the same "built" (restored) by the Roman centurion whose servant Jesus healed that is mentioned in Luke. It is thought to be the one in which Jesus did much of His teachings (much of which is recorded in the Gospels). Its ruins remain today.

Partly because of previous reasons discussed in our last study, Jesus moved his ministry from Nazareth to here, and it was called "his own city."

Lk.7:1-10		The Centurion's palsied servant healed.
Mt.8:14-17		Peter's mother-in-law healed of a deadly fever.
Mk.1:21-28		A Demonic healed.
Mk.2:1-13		A Palsied man lowered by 4 friends through a roof.
Lk.4:40-41		And many others.

It was here that Matthew (Levi) was called from his tax-collecting trade.

The scene of the discourse of our text in 6:24-71 (and others, likely in the above synagogue).

Although Jesus was well-received for His works, these citizens ultimately rejected Him, for which He prophesied its utter destruction.

Today, there exits only the discovered remains of two towns in close proximity, without certain identification as to which is this Capernaum -- Tell Hum, or Khan Minyeh.

Pronounced: beth SAY ih duh, meaning, "house of nets.

There is no mention of it by name in the O.T.

A town located at the northeastern end of Galilee, near the mouth of the Jordan river.

It was rebuilt by Philip the tetrarch (possible half-brother to Herod Antipas), and named Julias in honor of the daughter of Caesar Augustus, who was the wife of Tiberias, 2nd Roman emperor in A.D.14-37, a step-son to Augustus.

Some scholars espouse the idea that two Bethsaidas existed in New Testament times: one located on the upper western shore, 3 miles southwest of Jordan; and Bethsaida Julias as mentioned above. This idea is offered to help the reader understand the lack of clarification in the Gospel's account to this town.

Young distinguishes these in his work as follows:

- WESTERN BETHSAIDA = Mt.11:21; Mk.6:45; Lk.10:13; Jn.1:44; 12:21.

- EASTERN BETHSAIDA = Mk.8:22; Lk.9:10.

Therefore, differing opinions exist as to the genuine location of this miracle and the home of Andrew, Peter, and Philip, some saying that it was at one village on the upper western shore, today called, Tabgha, and others contending its site on the eastern shore, approximately 2 miles south of the mouth of the Jordan river.

At any rate, it was the "REGION OF BETHSAIDA" where this Miracle of Feeding occurred -- in a "DESERT" (eremos, "uninhabited," or "solitary") place.

It was here that the crowd (and quite possibly the disciples) desired to establish by force Jesus as their king of the Jews. He then separated the disciples (12 now) from the crowd and sent them away by boat, and dismissing the multitude (in what manner we do not know), went into the mountain for prayer. (This was His first opportunity since hearing the tragic news of the death of His forerunner and friend. He is exhausted, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Later in the night, He will depart the mountain (still without sleep), and walk to His Friends across stormy waters! It is as though He is so preoccupied with the heaviness of this moment and His desire to reunite Himself with those who love and are loyal to Him -- to see their familiar faces of affection -- that, for a moment, He forgets Himself, failing to observe the distinction between sand and sea as His heart tugs Him on to them. It is indisputable that being both God and man, as much as He depended upon His close association with His Father, He also needed the companionship of loving and caring humans for strength and encouragement! Yes, He was Divine, but Human as well. Can we ever know how deep were His thoughts, and heavy His heart in moments as this? Permit a personal inquiry here: Has your relationship deepened with Him sufficient to cause your love for Him to provoke your heart to share His hurt, feel His pain, and though unable to reach Him across time to this moment and others, at least today to embrace Him in Spirit with gratitude for what He has suffered for your sake? How selfish we are sometimes in seeing only our own hurt and expecting His comfort to us!)

The same end to Capernaum was also pronounced upon this unbelieving town ( Mt. 11:20-22; Lk.10:13-14).

The 12 Apostles Chosen (Mk.3:13-19),
The Sermon on the Mount,
And many others. (See Jesus' Historical Life.)

This has been a busy and fruitful year. The press of the crowd and opposition by the Jewish authorities are having their effect on Jesus and the twelve. They will miss the Passover.

John the Baptist has already been murdered and Herod is looking for Jesus. It is too dangerous to journey into the area for now; His time has not yet come. Next year has its place in His Father's Plan (A.D. 30) -- He will allow His capture and Crucifixion by them then.

Jesus has just received the tragic news that His cousin and friend has recently been beheaded. He is saddened. In addition, the 12 have just returned from their first successful solo (by 2's) mission work and they are excited. Therefore, under these conditions, and with mixed emotions, Jesus takes them aside for solitude and sharing, thus missing this year's Passover (A.D. 29). Can anyone find fault in this?

But the crowds will dictate differently. Jesus, the Consummate Shepherd, cannot ignore the shepherdless. The Compassionate of Capernaum will, no, must do His work. He is Jesus! His love runs deep! Observe His Love as He Acts.

This Miracle of Feeding is unique to all 4 Gospels, (that is, the only miracle recorded in all), thus it is considered by most scholars to be the most significant, revealing His Person, Purpose, and Nature. Even to this day, He feeds and teaches those who are His. As He did not neglect these who pressed upon Him, though concerned with many other cares, He will not neglect anyone in any day, including yours! Are you experiencing that Comfort and Care in your life right now, wherever and whatever you are going through in this moment? If not, why, when He will receive you as He did these? If not now, then when? How long must you carry alone your loneliness and need that cries for release, but no one is aware, or for that matter would really care, or else you would have already shared? What barrier prevents you from reaching out to Him as He comes to you for access to Him as He did for them? He is present, and He awaits your embrace. He will listen, and you will know He is there with you in that moment you release it all to Him.