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Walk in the footsteps of Jesus along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. See and hear the natural and precious sites from Capernaum to Bethsaida. Relaxing music, birds chirping, waves of the sea, and more. DONATE: TOUR TRIPS TO ISRAEL BY TODD FINK: BOOKS ABOUT ISRAEL BY TODD FINK: Location 1. The Sea of Galilee is located in the northern part of Israel, known as the Galilee region. Therefore, it’s called the Sea of Galilee. 2. It is also referred to in Scripture by other names, such as Ginnosar, Lake of Gennesar, Gennesaret, Sea of Chinneroth, Kinneret, and Sea of Tiberias. 3. It’s about 70 miles (115 Km.) north of Jerusalem and about 27 miles (45 Km.) east of the Mediterranean Sea. 4. It's a freshwater lake about 8 miles (13 km.) wide by about 12 miles (19 km.) long, and 150 ft. (46 m.) deep. 5. It's located about 700 ft. (213 m.) below sea level. 6. It's a key freshwater source for much of Israel. 7. Because of its location, storms can arise quickly and drop down onto its surface without much warning. 8. The Sea of Galilee was located at a main crossroads of the known world during Christ's ministry on earth. This international highway, called the “Via Maris” (Way of the Sea), linked travel between the three continents of Africa, Asia, and Europe. 9. Travelers from these 3 continents were forced to use this route as there were few other options for traveling to and from each continent. This was so because the desert to the east was impassible due to a lack of water, and the Mediterranean Sea was located to the west, which was not a realistic option for travel as it was expensive and ships were scarce. 10. The Via Maris passed right along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and old ruins and markers show its existence. 11. The north shore of the Sea of Galilee was even more traveled than the roads and routes leading through Jerusalem. 12. Oftentimes, we might think Christ was hiding out somewhere in a remote location. However, just the opposite was true. He chose the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (and Capernaum was located at a key place along this route) as a center stage so His message would reach as many people as possible in the world. 13. By spending most of His ministry time in the northern Galilee area, Christ’s miracles traveled by word of mouth to the ends of the earth. This laid the groundwork and sowed the seeds of the Gospel to the rest of the known world so that the evangelization work done later by the apostles would be easier and more acceptable to those who heard the message about Christ. Historical Background 1. Abraham entered the Promised Land through the gateway of the Sea of Galilee when he first journeyed from Ur of the Chaldeans. 2. In Matthew 4 we find that Jesus established his home ministry base in the town of Capernaum which is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. 3. At least six of the 12 disciples were from around the Sea of Galilee: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, and Philip. 4. According to Acts 1:11, the rest of the disciples were from the Galilee area as well.
