Who Lived in Capernaum?
We can’t say how large Capernaum was at the time of Jesus. It would not have been a significant place, as no defensive walls have been discovered. With ample supply of fresh water, either from the springs nearby or from the Sea of Galilee, the town could have been large, but it is estimated that no more than 5000 people lived there at the time. The main occupations of the people would have been as fishermen, as farmers, or involved in the further production of the agricultural products. This can be seen from the olive press and large industrial wheat grinders that have been found. But Capernaum would also have generated income from the route that passed through it, an ancient route connecting the Galilee with Damascus, and part of a large road system. Although a small place and quite poor, it was built along the traditional lines of towns at the time. This consisted of a main street running north-south, and smaller side streets coming off, creating a grid-like system and different neig
