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Sea of Galilee
A large lake in Israel, spanning approx. 33 miles in circumference, was a significant location during Jesus' time, with cities like Capernaum situated on its shore. Jesus and his apostles frequently traveled across and along its shores, where many important events took place.
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Summary
The Sea of Galilee is not really an ocean, but a large lake in what is now known as Israel. It arises partially from underground springs, but is primarily fed by the Jordan River that flows through it, north to south. It is approximately 53 km (about 33 miles) in circumference, about 21 km (13 miles) long, and 13 km (8 miles) wide.
In Jesus' time, the Sea of Galilee was also called the lake of Galilee. Capernaum, the city that Jesus called home for several years, is located on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. And there are numerous cities and towns around its perimeter; Jesus and his apostles worked in many of these cities for the establishment of the kingdom of heaven during the years of Jesus’ public ministry. Jesus and the apostles rowed across this lake numerous times and often walked along its shore from place to place.
The Sea of Galilee is a central point in the geography of the region. Many events occurred in and around the Sea of Galilee during Jesus’ life.
The Importance of the Sea of Galilee in the Life of Jesus and His Followers
Following are some of the events and experiences that took place on or near the Sea of Galilee in the life of Jesus and his followers:
- Jesus’ first fishing experience
- Jesus spends two months by the sea learning about fishing from his uncle
- Joseph takes Jesus to see the fishing industry
- Jesus takes Jude to live in his uncle’s home in Magdala, on the shore of the lake
- Jesus designs a new boat while working at Zebedee’s boatshop on the shore of the lake
- Jesus meditates by the water, and decides to stop denying he is the Messiah
- Jesus teaches the first six apostles and his brothers James and Jude in a boat anchored on the lake
- Jesus works with the twelve in the cities around the Sea of Galilee
- Jesus taught the multitude from a boat anchored in the lake more than once
- The "miraculous" draught of fishes took place here
- The kingdom’s first hospital was on the shore of the lake
- Peter baptizes the three Jerusalem spies in the lake
- Jesus teaches by the seaside
- Jesus "calms the waves" of the sea
- The Kheresa lunatic - the swine rush over the cliff into the sea
- Peter dreams of Jesus walking on water
- Ordination of the seventy on the shore of the lake
- Discussion about wealth by the water
- Alone in Gethsemane, Jesus soothes his spirit with memories of the shimmering sea of Galilee
- Thirteenth resurrection appearance by the lakeside
- Fifteenth resurrection appearance in Bethsaida, by the seaside
Suggested Reading from this Essay
Timeline
26 CE
July - December
Five Months of Testing the Apostles
28 CE
January 16
The Draught of Fishes
29 CE
March 20
Voyage to Kheresa and the Storm
March 30
Simon Peter’s Night Vision
November
Ordination of the Seventy
Related Topics
Training the Kingdom's Messengers
Jesus trained followers with personal and public methods.
Meaning of Jesus' Death on the Cross
Jesus chose the experience of a human including a natural death.
Contributors
MaryJo Garascia, Mike Robinson, Gary Tonge
