Gennesaret

Biblical Text

Gennesaret appears in the New Testament with two meanings.

• The land of Gennesaret: This usage appears in Matthew 14:34 and Mark 6:53. After Jesus walked on the water, he and his disciples crossed the lake and came to this land. The people recognized Jesus and brought the sick from the whole region, and all who touched the hem of his garment were made whole (Matthew 14:35–36; Mark 6:54–56).
• The lake of Gennesaret: This usage appears in Luke 5:1. Standing by the lake of Gennesaret, Jesus got into Simon's (Peter's) boat and taught the multitude. He then said, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught," and they caught so many fish that their net began to break. After this experience, Peter, James, and John forsook all and followed Jesus (Luke 5:1–11).

Background

The plain of Gennesaret is generally thought to have been the land on the northwestern shore of the lake, southwest of Capernaum. It is considered to correspond to the area of present-day Ginosar in Israel. The first-century Jewish historian Josephus is reported to have described this plain as exceptionally fertile.

The same lake goes by several names in the Bible. The Old Testament calls it the "sea of Chinnereth" (Numbers 34:11; Joshua 12:3), while the Gospels mostly call it the "sea of Galilee." The Gospel of John calls it the "sea of Tiberias" (John 6:1; 21:1). Many scholars hold that the name "Gennesaret" is related to the Old Testament "Chinnereth." However, the explanation that the name derives from the lake's resemblance in shape to a lyre (Hebrew kinnor) is a traditional account rather than an established etymology.

Significance in the Bible as a Whole

Gennesaret is part of the setting of Jesus' ministry in Galilee. In Mark and Matthew, it is portrayed as the place where the crowds who came to Jesus received healing. The scene of people being healed by touching the hem of his garment echoes the account of the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:27–29). In Luke, it is the place where Peter and the other disciples were called.

Interpretation and Points of Discussion

• The relationship between Luke 5 and the other Gospels: Matthew 4:18–22 and Mark 1:16–20 also record the calling of disciples by the Sea of Galilee. Some interpreters regard these as different accounts of the same event, while others see them as different stages of the calling. Some discussions also compare Luke's account with the fishing scene in John 21.
• Bethsaida and Gennesaret: In Mark 6:45 the disciples set out for Bethsaida, but in 6:53 they arrive at Gennesaret. Various explanations have been offered for this difference, including that the wind altered their course and that the place names may have designated areas of differing extent.
• The "Jesus Boat": In 1986, when drought lowered the lake's water level, a boat dating from around the first century is reported to have been discovered near Ginosar. It is popularly called the "Jesus Boat," but there is no evidence directly connecting it to any biblical event.

In the Korean Church

Luke 5:5, "nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net," is a text frequently preached in Korean churches, usually on the themes of obedience and calling. On pilgrimages to Israel, a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and a visit to the ancient boat exhibit at Ginosar are commonly included in the itinerary.