Capernaum (kuh-PERR-nay-uhm) stood on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, a freshwater lake in what is now northern Israel. The modern city of Tiberias lies farther south along the western shore. The marker shows the ancient village site, not Matthew’s tax booth or home.
A town beside the lake
Mark 2 places Jesus in Capernaum and then beside the lake before the call of Levi. Matthew 9 tells the matching call using the name Matthew. The town’s setting joined local fishing and farming with travel and trade.
What the marker can tell us
Archaeological work identifies the village at the site also called Tell Hum. Surviving buildings belong to different periods. The prominent synagogue remains seen today should not automatically be treated as the building Matthew knew.
The marker provides geographic orientation. Neither the collection booth nor the dinner location has a secure identification. Today’s roads and visitor facilities are modern features.
Sources: Custodia: site identification, archaeology, and village life; Capernaum coordinates; Mark 2, NIV; Matthew 9, NIV. Location notes checked September 15, 2026.