Ancient city of Palestine. Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), it was the home of Jesus for much of his ministry. His disciples Peter, Andrew, and Matthew were from Capernaum, and he was said to have performed many of his miracles there. Excavations begun in 1905 indicated that the site of the ancient city is likely near modern Kefer Nahsubdotum, Israel. Among the remains discovered was a synagogue dating from the 2nd–3rd century AD.

Learn more about Capernaum with a free trial on Britannica.com.