Was something happening in Galilee?
We must ask why Y‘shua chose all his disciples from the Galilee. There is evidence that something of a
spiritual nature was happening there. For instance, Yochanan the Immerser seems to have had a great
influence upon certain of the disciples. There are traditions that place Yochanan at the southern end of the
Sea. He may have even ministered at the northern end, where the Jordan empties into the sea.
The Bible does say in Luke 3:3 that John, ―...went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching...‖
Certainly, Yochanan must have been close enough for Andrew (Peter‘s brother) to become his disciple (John
1:40). We know from this same passage that yet another disciple of Yochanan also became Y‘shua‘s
disciple. It is likely that the other disciple was Yochanan the Beloved. If it was Yochanan the Immerser‘s
ministry to prepare the way of the Lord, how could he have better accomplished this than by working with
Y‘shua‘s future disciples.
In John‘s Gospel, we get a certain feeling of excitement; as though these future disciples were seriously
looking for the Messiah. In John 1:41, Andrew exclaims, ―We have found the Messiah...‖ Hardly does
anyone get this excited unless that person is on a search!
Perhaps many of the future disciples had heard Yochanan the Immerser speak. Yochanan had spoken with
great enthusiasm about a Messiah who was soon to make his appearance. Let us use our imaginations a bit
at this point. Let us assume that one day while Yochanan was preaching, he might have said something like
this: "One is coming whose shoelaces I am unworthy to unloose...and...and...there he is! It...it is Y‘shua
from Nazareth!" We can imagine how electrifying that news would have been, and how rapidly it would have
traveled around the tiny Sea of Galilee. This, if it were the case, may help us understand how men could
later leave their nets and successful family businesses simply at the beckoning of a stranger.
Should this scenario be true, it would not be at all surprising. In Jer 29:13 we read: ―You will seek me and
find me when you seek me with all your heart‖. We notice in the Bible that YHWH normally reveals himself to
those who are in some way seeking him or longing for him. That is YHWH‘s way. Why should it be any
different with Y‘shua‘s revelation to the twelve disciples?
Now to the matter of Y‘shua choosing a small area for his ministry. We know in the natural world that sunlight
is a wonderful thing. It cheers our hearts and warms us. We also know that it will not start a fire unless it is
focused with a magnifying glass. Perhaps this was the plan of Y‘shua in focusing his ministry in such a tiny
area and on such a small and related band.
The Sea of Galilee area offered some other benefits. It was a relaxed, beautiful and fruitful area. The
historian, Josephus, in describing it some years later says: "...their soil is universally rich and fruitful, and full
of the plantations of trees of all sorts...accordingly, it is all cultivated by its inhabitants, and no part of it lies
idle" (Wars, III, 3,2). While Jerusalem was a place of confrontation, the Galilee was more suited for
relaxation, teaching and disciple-making. It was also a fairly safe area for Y‘shua to establish himself. As far
as we can tell, Y‘shua never willingly spent a night within the city of Jerusalem. It was simply too dangerous.
Ministry to the Jews
There were many Gentiles in the area of the Sea of Galilee. We even see the area referred to as ―Galilee of
the Gentiles" in Isaiah 9:1. Virtually the whole Eastern shore of the Sea was part of the Gentile area known
as the Decapolis. Y‘shua seldom ventured there, although crowds from that area did follow after him. Directly
across the sea from Decapolis was situated the new city of Tiberias on the western shore. It was named after
Caesar and it was a Gentile city.
Tiberias was also thoughtlessly built over a cemetery, making it unclean for devout Jews. Although it was
one of the two leading cities of the Galilee in New Covenant times, we have no record in Scripture that
Y‘shua or his disciples ever visited there.
The area of Jewish settlement around the lake was on the northern and northwestern shores - precisely the
cities of Capernaum, Korazin and Bethsaida. We do know that Bethsaida was a fishing village and that it was
quite close to the mouth of the Jordan. It is noteworthy that Capernaum, Bethsaida and Korazin have ancient
Jewish archaeological remains. Capernaum and Korazin have ancient synagogues; and at Korazin, a pool
for Jewish ritual washing (mikveh) can still be seen.
The simple truth is that Y‘shua focused his ministry on the Jewish people. This is in full accordance with
Matt 10:5-6: ―These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ̳Do not go among the Gentiles or
enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel‘‖. We see this principle borne out