Capernaum（迦伯農）

Capernaum（迦伯農）

Date: April 6, 2013

The name Capernaum in Hebrew form is Kfar Nahum which means Village of Nahum; there is debate if Nahum refers to the Old Testament prophet Nahum.

At present, the site is a ruin. The modern building there is a Catholic Church built upon the house of the Apostle Peter. Most of the ruin are the remains of houses of the first century in the time of Jesus. The most visited place is the ruins of the 4th century synagogue built with white stones. Archeologists find that this 4th century synagogue with white rocks was built upon the foundation of an older synagogue. which was built with local black rocks. The old synagogue is believed to be the synagogue of the first century in Jesus' time.

"and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali" (Matthew 14:13, NASB 95)

"They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach" (Mark 1:21, NASB 95) 

Church of the Primacy of Peter（彼得首牧堂）

Church of the Primacy of Peter（彼得首牧堂）

Date: April 6, 2013

The Church of the Primacy of Peter is locate at Tabgha by the shore of Sea of Galilee.

The word "primacy" connotes the sence when Jesus commissioned the Apostle Peter to feed the sheep of Jesus.  Thus the Apostle Peter is the first disciple to receive the pastoral ministry.

Inside the church, there is a rock exposed before the altar and this rock is labelled in latin "Mensa Christi," which means "Table of Christ." There is a disputable tradition that believes Jesus was having breakfast with His disciples here and this is also the place that Jesus commanded Peter to feed His sheep (John 21:1-22).

Church of the Loaves and Fishes（五餅二魚堂）

Church of the Loaves and Fishes（五餅二魚堂）

Date: April 6, 2013

The Church of the Loaves and Fishes is also called the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. The site is located at Tabgha, southwest of Capernaum, facing the Sea of Galilee.

14   When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

15   When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

16   But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!”

17   They said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

18   And He said, “Bring them here to Me.”

19   Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds,

20   and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets.

21   There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children. (Matthew 14: 14-21, NASB 95)

View of Sea of Galilee from Tabgha

Church of the Beatitude（八福堂）

Church of the Beatitudes（八福堂）

Date: April 6, 2014

Mt Beatitudes is a small hill of the traditional site where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. At this site, the Church of the Beatitudes was built between 1936 and 1938 with octagonal wall sides at the centre. Each wall is placed one of the eight Beatitudes.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." (Matthew 5:3-11, NASB95)

The Garden at the Church of the Beatitudes

View of Sea of Galilee from Mt Beatitudes