John 2:12

JESUS MOVES HIS HEADQUARTERS TO CAPERNAUM

Text 2:12

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples; and they abode there not many days.

Queries

a.

Where is Capernaum?

b.

Why did He go there and what did He do?

c.

Who are his brethren?

Paraphrase

After the wedding feast at Cana was over, Jesus went down from the hills of Galilee unto the city of Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. And He remained there a few days, He, and His mother, and His brothers and His disciples.

Summary

Jesus moves to Capernaum, abiding there a few days with His entourage as He awaits the time of the Passover.

Comment

We have entitled this part of the outline, Jesus Moves His Headquarters to Capernaum because He ever after makes this city a pivotal point for the larger portion of His ministry. One must, of course, study the Synoptics to realize this, since nearly all of His Galilean ministry is recorded in those accounts. One thing seems evidentHe never returns to Nazareth to live, only to preach and be rejected. After John the Baptist was delivered up to prison, Jesus withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea. (Matthew 4:12-13). The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus did not own a residence (Luke 9:58). He probably made Peter's home His headquarters here in Capernaum (cf. Mark 1:31), Whatever the case, Capernaum seems to be the headquarters for all His activities until He finally ends His public ministry in Galilee and comes to the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2-3; John 7:10). Once He arrives in Judea at this feast, He never again returns to Galilee except for a few days preaching in the borders of Galilee (cf. Luke 17:11 and Map 6, p. -, Vol. 2).

There is a great deal of controversy among commentators as to the most probable location of Capernaum. The two most likely places are the ruins of modern Tell Hum or Khan Minyeh. Most scholars prefer Tell Hum. For extended discussion on this subject consult any good Bible dictionary (cf. also Andrews, Life of Our Lord, pp. 224-230). Capernaum was located on the north side of the Sea of Galilee, west of the Jordan River entrance into the sea. The ruins of Tell Hum are very interesting. Most of its buildings were built of black basalt with the exception of a white synagogue. This synagogue probably dates back to about 200 A.D. but it was built on still more ancient ruins which date back to the very time of Christ. These ancient ruins may be those of the same synagogue that the centurion erected for the Jews (cf. Luke 7:5) and the one in which Jesus healed the withered hand (Mark 3:1-6). Capernaum was the home of the four fishermen; it was a customs station (Matthew 9:9), and a residence of a high officer of the king (John 4:46). A Roman garrison was probably stationed there under the command of the centurion mentioned above. So completely has this city perished, as was prophesied by the Lord (Matthew 11:23), that the very site is a matter of much dispute today.

This verse (John 2:12) affords an opportunity to discuss the question of the Lord's brethren. The question would probably never have been raised had not the Roman church made the perpetual virginity of Mary a dogma. First consideration must be given to what the New Testament reveals on the subject of the Lord's brothers and sisters. They are mentioned in Matthew 12:46-50; Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 3:31; Mark 6:3; Luke 8:19; John 2:12; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5; Galatians 1:9. There were four brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas. None of the accounts tell us how many sisters He had or what their names were. The Greek is very precise concerning this matter. His brothers and sisters are always called adelphoi (brothers and sisters)not anepsioi (cousins) or sungeneis (kinsmen). Notice also they are always called His brothers and sisters, not sons and daughters of Mary. Further, they are always connected with Mary in the particular relationship of being her very own children; members of her household and under her directionnot merely her nieces and nephews.

Amazingly enough, the theory of the perpetual virginity is even held by many Protestant writers. There is strong inference against this theory in the Scriptures. First is the inference that there were later sons born to Mary because Jesus is called the firstborn son in Luke 2:7. Secondly, there is the inference that Joseph later knew Mary in the husband-wife sexual relationship after the virgin birth of Jesushe knew her not until she brought forth a son (Matthew 1:25).

The number of days Jesus stayed in Capernaum is not certain. We are told that it was not many days. The couple in Cana had a spring wedding, probably sometime in April. Jesus attended this wedding, spent a few days in Capernaum then joined the thousands of pilgrims going to Jerusalem for the Passover, which was also in April.
And so we come to the end of the period of preparation. When Jesus arrives at the Passover He will declare Himself to the rulers in no uncertain terms. There He will begin His public ministryHis open manifestation to the multitudes and the Jewish rulers.

Quiz

1.

Describe Capernaum.

2.

Why does John mention that Jesus went to Capernaum?

3.

Tell all that the Scriptures say about Jesus-' brethren.

4.

What does the New Testament say about the perpetual virginity of Mary?

In our outline we are still under the second main division of the Fourth Gospel. We come now to the next point under that main division, namely, The Public MinistryFirst Year, A primary purpose of John in writing his account was to supplement the other three gospel accounts. Therefore, many of the incidents of His public ministry will have to be obtained from the Synoptics. We shall endeavor to mention these omitted incidents from time to time as we connect the events of the Fourth Gospel. It is suggested that the reader frequently consult the maps in this commentary to get a comprehensive view of Jesus-' public ministry as the text is being studied.

II

The Word Manifested to the Jews and their Rejection of Him. John 1:19 to John 12:50 (cont.)

B.

The Public MinistryFirst Year John 2:13 to John 4:54

1.

Early Judean Ministry John 2:13-25

a.

Cleansing of the Temple John 2:13-17

b.

Results of the Cleansing John 2:18-22

c.

General Judean Ministry John 2:23-25