Capernaum

CAPERNAUM, a city celebrated in the Gospels, where Jesus Christ principally abode, during the three years of his preaching. It lay eastward on the Borders Mat. iv. 13. Mark ii. 1. John vi. 17.of the lake Genezareth. We do not now exactly know its situation: But by the Gospel it appears, that it was not far from Bethsaida. It was still to be seen in the seventh and eighth Ages, as is manifest from the travels of Adamnanus, and S. Willibaldus. Adamnanus says, that it extended itself from West to East, having a Mountain to the North, and the lake of Tiberias to the South; our Saviour preached frequently at Capernaum, and wrought many Miracles there: But the Inhabitants were not the better for all his instructions; wherewith he reproaches them sharply, telling them, that tho’ they were exalted unto Heaven, they should be Mat. xi. 23.brought down to Hell; and that if he had done as many Miracles in Tyre and Sidon, as he had performed in that City, Tyre and Sidon, which were heathen places, would have been long before converted. At Capernaum, Jesus Christ called S. Matthew, Mat. ix. 9.and invited him to follow him.

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