And they entered into Capharnaum: and forthwith upon the sabbath days going into the synagogue, he taught them.
και εισπορευονται εις καπερναουμ και ευθεως τοις σαββασιν εισελθων εις την συναγωγην εδιδασκεν
7 Church Fathers comment on this verse
From where did they arrive in Capernaum? They came from Nazareth on the Sabbath. It was the customary time for gathering to study the Scriptures, and Christ joined them to instruct. The Law stipulated that the Sabbath was to be honored for this very reason, allowing people to engage in reading and coming together for worship.
Jesus journeyed to Capernaum, envisioning it as a new base of operations in place of Nazareth. This particular area of Galilee was set apart from others due to its rich soil, plentiful harvests, favorable climate, and a refreshing spring, providing vital resources for those who flocked to Him. Moreover, Capernaum was situated at the boundary of two jurisdictions: it was under Herod's governance in Galilee, yet in proximity to Bethsaida, which was ruled by Philip, Herod's brother, over the territories of Ituria and Trachonitis. This positioning allowed Jesus retreat if ever faced with peril from Herod (Matthew 14:13; John 6:1). However, there were likely deeper, divine reasons in the heart of God for His choice of Capernaum for His residency, reasons that remain unknown to us.
What we do know is that Jesus referred to Capernaum as His city, from which interactions like requests for a denarius occurred (Matthew 7:24; 9:1). The transition from Nazareth to Capernaum marked a significant moment, detailed meticulously by the first three evangelists due to its profound connection to various events in Christ’s life. On the very first day of His time there, this city, as described by the Evangelist, became a significant location for Jesus, meriting thorough recounting. Previously, we mentioned the initial selection of four disciples who had briefly attached themselves to Him, finding contentment in their temporary association. Shortly after leaving Nazareth, the Savior entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach, likely sharing the same profound truths regarding the nearness of God’s kingdom that He was spreading elsewhere. Although His message bore the same core truths, it was uniquely tailored to resonate with the hearts of His listeners, fully visible to Him. This ability endowed His message with remarkable power; those unwilling to resist the grace emanating from His words found themselves drawn in. Unlike the stagnant and lifeless teachings of the scribes and law experts, which failed to engage the moral compass of humanity, Jesus's doctrine was vibrant and imbued with the very life and power of God.
After departing from Nazareth, Jesus Christ arrived in Capernaum. On the Sabbath closest to His arrival, He attended the synagogue as was customary and began to teach. His teachings resonated powerfully with those who listened because He spoke with authority (cf. Matt. 7:29). Among those present was a man possessed by an unclean spirit, who at that moment experienced a convulsion. The evil spirit, trembling, pleaded with Christ for mercy, fearing that He had come to annihilate the demonic realm, and acknowledged Him as the Holy One of God. This declaration set Christ apart from the unclean spirit, affirming His holiness in its fullest sense. In response, Christ firmly instructed the demon to be silent, rejecting the acknowledgment of the unholy entity, and commanded it to leave the man.
The demon had no choice but to obey Christ, even as its departure caused the man to convulse violently and cry out, yet this episode did not involve the typical self-harm associated with such conditions (Lk.). The deliverance of the man possessed by a demon in the Capernaum synagogue marked the first miracle of its kind, profoundly impacting those who witnessed it, eliciting a sense of awe among them. They were left questioning, "What is this teaching?" (Lk.) and "What is this new doctrine?" (Mk.), accompanied by such extraordinary miracles. News of this miracle quickly spread throughout the surrounding area of Capernaum.
The significance of the synagogue is evident in Jesus' ministry, as He frequently taught within Jewish synagogues. A synagogue served as a venue for religious gatherings, including the reading of the Scriptures and communal prayer. Although Moses had instructed that worship and sacrifices be conducted at a singular designated location—the tabernacle, and later the first temple erected by Solomon in Jerusalem—during the period of Babylonian exile, Jews, far from their homeland, recognized an urgent need for congregational worship. In these gatherings, although offering sacrifices according to Mosaic law was not feasible, the community could still read the Scriptures and pray together. These assembly places were known as synagogues.
The establishment of synagogues became integral to Jewish communities, and even after their return from exile, they were constructed in every locale where Jews settled, not just in Palestine, but throughout the Diaspora. Each synagogue typically contained an ark for housing the sacred scrolls of the law, a pulpit from which the Scriptures were proclaimed, and seating for the congregation. Observers gathered in the synagogue on the Sabbath and during religious festivals. Anyone with the ability to read and interpret the Scriptures was permitted to do so. The individual reading would generally stand for the recitation, and upon commencing the explanation of the text, they would take a seat.
The Saviour journeyed to Capernaum, where He commenced His extensive ministry of preaching and benevolence. Similar to His time in Nazareth, He first visited the synagogue, teaching the large crowds who had gathered to hear the profound messages of the esteemed preacher.
"To Capernaum": for details regarding the location of Capernaum, refer to the commentary on Matthew 4:13. - "Soon - on the Sabbath": the Greek term indicates the following Sabbath. - "To the synagogue": consult the commentary on Matthew 4:23. The Jewish community gathered for corporate worship and the reading of their holy scriptures predominantly on the Sabbath. "Taught": during the gatherings at the synagogue, anyone who expressed a desire to speak was permitted to share their teaching. This explains why the Lord Jesus, who was neither a priest in the Old Testament sense nor a synagogue leader, frequently engaged in teaching during the synagogue gatherings of the Jewish people in various towns.
They arrived in Capernaum, and soon on the Sabbath, He went into the synagogue and commenced teaching.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 13 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS