The beautiful Sea of Galilee, also referred to in the Bible as the Sea of Tiberias
(John 6:1),
the Lake of Gennesaret
(Luke 5:1), and the Sea of Chinnereth
(Num. 34:11), was the geographical center of much of the ministry of Jesus. Almost 13 miles long and about
8 miles wide, the fresh-water lake is surrounded by high mountains. Interestingly, the Sea of Galilee is one of the lowest
points on earth, standing 690 feet below sea level.
The region around the Sea of Galilee in the upper Jordan River valley in northern Palestine is a lush
garden, with an abundance of fertile soil, water, fish, and a hot climate. About 200,000 people, mostly Gentiles, were scattered
in the many towns along the shores of the lake and throughout the upper Jordan valley when Jesus taught and healed in Palestine.
Because of their openness to new ideas, Jesus appealed to the common people of Galilee, and many of
them "heard Him gladly" (Mark 12:37). Jesus recruited eleven of His disciples from this area. Many
of them, including brothers Peter and Andrew, and brothers James and John, were fishermen who earned their livelihood from
the waters of this lake. Settlements along the shores of Lake Galilee in the time of Jesus included Tiberias, Magdala, Capernaum,
and Bethsaida. In this region Jesus taught the multitudes and healed the sick (Mark 7:31-37).
Powerful winds sometimes sweep down from the mountains along the shores of the lake, clashing with
heat waves rising from the water's surface. The resulting turbulence creates sudden, violent storms. This is probably the
type of storm that Jesus calmed on the lake in response to the pleas of His disciples. "Who can this be," the people marveled,
"that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matt. 8:27).
