Sea of Galilee

Biblical References

In the Old Testament the lake appears mainly in descriptions of the boundaries of the land of Israel, where it is called the "Sea of Chinnereth" (or Chinneroth) (Numbers 34:11; Joshua 12:3). In the New Testament it appears frequently as the central setting of Jesus' ministry.

• The calling of the disciples: Jesus calls Peter and Andrew, James and John, who were fishing by the lake (Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11).
• Teaching from a boat: Jesus sits in a boat and teaches the crowd gathered on the shore (Mark 4:1).
• Calming of the storm: Recorded in Mark 4:35-41.
• Walking on water: Recorded in Matthew 14:22-33.
• Healing of the Gerasene demoniac: The demon-possessed herd of swine rushes down into the lake (Mark 5:1-20).
• Post-resurrection appearance: The risen Jesus appears to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, enables them to catch fish, and commissions Peter (John 21).

Geography and Names

The lake is a freshwater body lying more than 200 meters (about 650 feet) below sea level, measuring a little over 20 kilometers (about 13 miles) from north to south and a little over 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) from east to west. The Jordan River flows into it from the north and exits to the south. Because the lake is surrounded by hills, it is known to be subject to sudden, violent winds.

In the first century, fishing was the principal livelihood of the lakeside towns, including Capernaum. The Bible refers to the same lake by several names.

• Gennesaret: Derived from the name of the plain on the lake's western shore (Luke 5:1).
• Tiberias: Derived from the name of the city that Herod Antipas founded and named after the Roman emperor Tiberius (John 6:1; 21:1).
• Chinnereth: Some explanations connect this name with the shape of a lyre (harp), but this is not certain.

Significance in the Whole of Scripture

Matthew 4:15-16 quotes Isaiah 9:1-2, presenting the beginning of Jesus' ministry on the shores of "Galilee of the Gentiles" as the fulfillment of the prophecy that light would shine on the people who sat in darkness. In this way, the Sea of Galilee is portrayed as the place where the gospel of the kingdom of God was first proclaimed and where the community of disciples came into being.

Interpretation and Debate

Most denominations accept the accounts of the storm and of Jesus walking on the water as miracles that actually occurred. Since the early church, the boat has also been read as a symbol of the church, signifying that Christ protects the church in the midst of trials. Some scholars associated with liberal theology interpret these accounts as symbolic narratives expressing confessions of faith, while evangelicals criticize such interpretations as undermining the historicity of the texts.

A common sermon illustration contrasts the two bodies of water: "The Sea of Galilee, which receives water and lets it flow out, is alive; the Dead Sea, which only receives, is dead." This is merely an illustration drawn from geographical fact, not something the biblical text itself states.

In the Korean Church

The Sea of Galilee is one of the principal destinations on Holy Land pilgrimages to Israel. A typical itinerary includes a boat ride on the lake and visits to lakeside sites such as Capernaum. The calling of the disciples and John 21 are frequently used in sermons on the themes of mission and dedication.