Capernaum and Korazim

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
-Matthew 11:21‭-‬24 (NIV)

Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Korazim (or Chorazin) were three cities that Jesus performed many miracles in. Because of their continual unbelief, Jesus ends up cursing these cities. We only visited two of the cities, but all three of them remain in ruins to this day.

Capernaum

Capernaum is the city where Jesus lived for a time when he stayed with Peter in the house of Peter’s mother-in-law. It is near here that the Mount of Beatitudes is located, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.

This was my first view of the Synagogue as I walked in. It took my breath away!
Here’s a better view of the Synagogue.
Standing in front of the pillars by the back of the Synagogue.
This was the entrance to the synagogue.
This is believed to be Peter’s house (or actually the house of his mother-in-law, but it is called Peter’s house because he would have been the “man of the house” so to speak).
This church is built on top of the ruins of Peter’s house. It’s the only thing in Capernaum not in ruins.
This is the glass floor inside the church looking down into the ruins of Peter’s house.
These would have been homes in the city. You can see how small they were!
Ruins of more homes.
These are millstones. Capernaum was known for its fish markets, salted fish industry, and millstone production.
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Beside the millstones, to the bottom right is a Roman milestone. These lined the roads as mile markers. In Matthew 5:41 Jesus says, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” The Romans had control of the land during the time of Jesus, and it was law that if a Roman soldier asked you to carry his equipment for him you were required to go with him and cary it for one mile. You were only obligated to do one mile and couldn’t be forced to do two. So when you got to one of these mile markers, your duty would be fulfilled. However, Jesus says to go the extra mile! What will the soldier say when he sees this? He will tell you that you are only required to go one mile and you will reply, “Jesus told me to go the extra mile.” And the soldier will reply, “Who is Jesus?” And now, here is the opportunity to share the good news!
These kittens were playing in some of the shrubbery outside of the church on Peter’s house.

Korazim

Nothing remains of Korazim but ruins. Not even a church marks this place as significant. In fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy the city was destroyed by an earthquake in the 3rd century. It was deserted and forgotten until it was rebuilt again in the 5th or 6th century, but was destroyed again at the beginning of the 8th century.

You can see the the ruins here are darker than the ones in Capernaum. Much of the town was constructed with the black basalt which was native to the region.

It’s been incredible getting to go to all these sites and see ruins that are thousands of years old. No where else in the world can you see, touch, and explore this kind of history! It’s simply amazing!

One thought on “Capernaum and Korazim”

  1. Jamie, thanks for your excellent chronicle of our trip! Your pictures are terrific and it is always interesting to me to know which sites left an indelible mark on your life!

    Jim Ayers

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