Matthew 4:13
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καταλιπὼν
leaving
G2641
καταλιπὼν
leaving
Strong's:
G2641
Word #:
2 of 15
to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐλθὼν
he came
G2064
ἐλθὼν
he came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
5 of 15
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
κατῴκησεν
and dwelt
G2730
κατῴκησεν
and dwelt
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
6 of 15
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 15
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Καπερναοὺμ
Capernaum
G2584
Καπερναοὺμ
Capernaum
Strong's:
G2584
Word #:
8 of 15
capernaum (i.e., caphanachum), a place in palestine
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραθαλασσίαν
is upon the sea coast
G3864
παραθαλασσίαν
is upon the sea coast
Strong's:
G3864
Word #:
10 of 15
along the sea, i.e., maritime (lacustrine)
ὁρίοις
the borders
G3725
ὁρίοις
the borders
Strong's:
G3725
Word #:
12 of 15
a boundary-line, i.e., (by implication) a frontier (region)
Cross References
Mark 1:21And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.John 4:46So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.Matthew 11:23And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.John 6:24When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.John 6:59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
Historical Context
Capernaum was a prosperous fishing village and customs station on the Via Maris trade route. It provided access to larger populations while being less restrictive than Jerusalem. Several disciples including Peter lived there. Archaeological excavations have identified what may be Peter's house.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's move to Capernaum demonstrate that His entire life and ministry fulfilled divine prophecy?
- What does Jesus' establishment of a ministry base in 'Galilee of the Gentiles' foreshadow about the gospel going to all nations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' relocation from Nazareth to Capernaum was both practical (Nazareth had rejected Him, Luke 4:16-30) and prophetically significant (fulfilling Isaiah 9:1-2). Capernaum became Jesus' ministry headquarters, a fishing town on Galilee's northwest shore. The move to 'the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim' deliberately fulfilled prophecy, demonstrating that Christ's entire ministry unfolded according to divine decree.