Northern Israel, in the region of Galilee (Lake Kinneret)

Sea of Galilee

Meaning
The Hebrew name Chinnereth comes from kinnor, harp, because the shape of the lake resembles that instrument. In the New Testament it is also called the Sea of Galilee, the Sea of Tiberias, or the Lake of Gennesaret, and it was the main setting of Jesus' public ministry.
About the place

The Sea of Galilee is actually a large freshwater lake in northern Israel, fed by the Jordan River. It lies about 213 meters below sea level and is the largest freshwater lake in the country.

In the Old Testament it appears as Chinnereth, because of its shape, which resembles a harp. In Jesus’ time it was also called the Sea of Tiberias or the Lake of Gennesaret.

Its shores were home to fishing villages such as Capernaum and Bethsaida, where several of the first disciples came from. It was there that Jesus called ordinary fishermen to follow him and become fishers of men.

The lake was the setting for some of the best known miracles of the New Testament: the storm calmed with a word, the walk on the water, and, after the resurrection, a meeting on the shore with bread and grilled fish. Each episode reveals Jesus’ authority over nature and his patient care for disciples who were still unsure of themselves.

Key verses

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

Matthew 4:18

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Mark 4:39

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:

John 21:1

What happened here

Jesus calls the first disciples

Beside the Lake of Gennesaret, Jesus teaches the crowds from Simon's boat and then tells him to let down the nets in deep water. The catch is so large that the boats almost sink, and Simon Peter, James and John leave everything to follow him.

Luke 5:1-11

Jesus calms the storm

During a nighttime crossing, a violent storm nearly sinks the boat while Jesus sleeps in the stern. Awakened by the frightened disciples, he rebukes the wind and the lake, and they immediately grow calm.

Mark 4:35-41

Jesus walks on the waters of the lake

After dismissing the crowd, Jesus goes up a mountain to pray alone while the disciples cross the lake by boat. Before dawn he comes to them walking on the water, and Peter also takes a few steps on the sea before sinking in fear and being rescued.

Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus appears to the disciples after the resurrection

After rising from the dead, Jesus appears to seven disciples on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. He directs another miraculous catch and prepares breakfast with bread and fish.

John 21:1-14
Timeline
around AD 27

Jesus calls Simon Peter, James and John after a miraculous catch

around AD 28

Jesus calms a sudden storm while crossing the lake

around AD 29

Jesus walks on the lake's waters during the night

around AD 30

The risen Jesus appears to the disciples on the lakeshore

People linked to this place
J

Jesus

Taught crowds and performed miracles

S

Simon Peter

Was a fisherman called beside the lake

A

Andrew

Was Peter's brother and was also called

J

James

Was Zebedee's son and left the boat

J

John

Was Zebedee's son and was also called

Books where it appears

Matthew

tells of the calling of the disciples and Jesus walking on the lake

Mark

records the storm Jesus calmed on the lake

Luke

tells of the miraculous catch that led to the calling of the first disciples

John

describes the risen Jesus' appearance on the lakeshore

The place today
The place today

Today the Sea of Galilee is called Lake Kinneret in Hebrew and remains Israel's largest freshwater reserve, in the region of Galilee in the north of the country.

Along its shores are cities such as Tiberias and archaeological sites connected with the Gospels, including the ruins of Capernaum. In 1986, a first-century fishing boat was found in the lake's mud; now known as the Jesus Boat, it is displayed in a nearby museum.

The region draws pilgrims and tourists throughout the year. Pray for Israel, that its people may find in Jesus, the same one who walked on these waters, the peace that only he offers.

Pray for this nation today: Israel

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