Boat Ride
Sea of Galilee

A Place Where Jesus Worked

Anyone that has been to Israel, or for that matter, anyone that has read the New Testament understands why the Sea of Galilee is so special to all Christians. This is the place where Jesus recruited his disciples. This was the home of Peter, Andrew, James, and John. This was the place of the Sermon on the Mount, and the multiplication of the fishes and the loaves. This is the place where Jesus walked on the water. This is the place where Jesus began his ministry.

Luke 5:1-11 The Call of Simon Peter

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore, then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

 

Mark 4:35-41 Calming the Waters

On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, "Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that is was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even the wind and sea obey?"

 

Matthew 14: 22-33 Walking on the Water


Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him " Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."

 

The History & Archaeology of the Site

In the time of Jesus, the Sea of Galilee was known by several other names, including (Kineret - Hebrew for harp - which is the shape of the sea, Tiberias Lake, Lake of Gennesaret). The sea is about 12 miles long and seven miles wide and serves as the main reservoir for the state of Israel. It is dependent on the snow melt from Mt Hermon (in the northernmost tip of Israel), and winter rains for its water level. During a recent and severe drought, the remains of a fishing boat from the time of Jesus emerged from the bottom (see photographs below). This boat is being carefully preserved by Israel and will soon be relocated to a new museum being built on the western shore of the sea. When you look across the sea to the eastern bank, you are looking at Syria to the northeast and Jordan to the southeast.

 

Photographs on the Sea of Galilee

 

 

Stop the Tour Tour Index Page Today's Index Page Today's Next Stop