Exploring the Bible: Places and People – Sea of Galilee – Part 4

Branford Campus Pastor Jake Rosekopf – Vox Church

My Notes-

The Sea of Galilee is known as a sea but is actually a lake. 

Information about the Sea of Galilee

1. The Sea of Galilee is also known often referred to as Kinneret
2. Galilee is Hebrew for “harp”, the general shape of the sea
3. Galilee is an open lake
4. It is the largest freshwater body of water in Israel
5. It is the lowest freshwater body of water on Earth
6. The deepest point of the sea is 141 feet
7. Tilapia, Sardines, Barbel, and Catfish are the main fish in the sea
8. Tilapia is known as Peter’s Fish Matt 17:24-27
9. In order for a Jewish person to eat fish it must have scales, so they do not eat catfish
10. The area around Galilee is fertile and well suited for agriculture
11. The area is a major producer of food
12. Th Sermon on the Mount location is not definitively known, but thought to be on the Mount of the Beatitudes on the hillside of the Sea of Galilee

Encounters with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee

Encounter 1 – God Calls Ordinary People

“One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.” Matthew 4:18-22 NLT

Jesus Calls His Disciples

1. When boys were 5-12 they went through basic Torah training
2. At age 12-15 they moved on to more advanced studies of the Scriptures
3. At the end of their studies the best students would seek a teacher to follow and learn from. If not they would return to work in their family trade.
4. The disciples were young men who were not capable enough to move on in study of the Scripture and went back to work in trades
5. Jesus invitation for them to “follow him/me” was a radical unexpected opportunity for the disciples.

After 40 days, Jesus left for Capernaum to find his disciples, as recorded in Mark 6:1–6. He intentionally chose Capernaum — not his hometown of Nazareth — to begin his ministry and call his disciples.

In Nazareth, the people knew Jesus, his parents, and his upbringing. Because of this familiarity, they struggled to accept his claims and his authority. Their closeness to his human identity became a barrier to recognizing his divine nature.

“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. Luke 4:24 NIV

Encounter 2 – Jesus in the Storm

Jesus calmed the storm. The storm was geographical, but also spiritual. 

“As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-39, 41 NLT

Encounter 3 – God Provides Supernaturally

This encounter took place near Bethsaida, a town located near the Jordan River as it flows into the Sea of Galilee.

It was here that Jesus performed one of his most remarkable miracles — feeding 10,000 to 12,000 people. While the Bible records 5,000 men being fed, that number doesn’t include the women and children present, making the total crowd significantly larger.

“When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he slipped quietly away with them toward the town of Bethsaida. But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick. Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.” But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there. Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” So the people all sat down. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!” Luke 9:10-17 NLT

Encounter 4 – Jesus Walks on Water

“Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.” Matthew 14:22-33 NLT