Synagogue of Capernaum

Jesus in the synagogue of Capernaum

Synagogue of Capernaum
JOHN 6 BIBLE STUDY
John 6:54-58 Eats My Flesh and Drinks My Blood

John 6:59-65 Synagogue of Capernaum

John 6:66-71 True Believers
JOHN 6:59  59 He said these things in the synagogue while teaching in Capernaum.

Is there any evidence today of this synagogue in Capernaum?
After lying buried for centuries, the ruins of both Capernaum and its synagogue were discovered in the nineteenth century.

How large was the synagogue of Capernaum?
The first century synagogue would have been no larger than the fourth century synagogue built on top of it (photos) and would be have been hard pressed to fit a hundred people inside.

What does that tell us about the size of the crowd that chased after Jesus to Capernaum after the feeding miracle the day before?
It was a small subset of the thousands Jesus had fed (see Jesus feeds 5000).

Who else was in the audience at this synagogue?
Jesus' “twelve” apostles (John 6:67, see below), other “disciples” (John 6:60, see below), Pharisees and other “Jews" (John 6:41), including some from Nazareth, the town where Jesus had grown up (see Son of Joseph).

JOHN 6:60-62  60 Many of His disciples, having heard, said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?

Did Jesus' enemies say, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it” (John 6:60)?
That was said by “His disciples” (John 6:60) - people who claimed to believe in and follow Him.

Did Jesus hear them saying that?
No, He knew “in Himself that His disciples were grumbling about this” (John 6:61).

Does Jesus then water down His message so that it will be easier for them to accept?
Instead, He piles it on and adds declaration of His deity: “what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?” (John 6:62, see Son of Man).

JOHN 6:63  63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.

Which “flesh” (John 6:63) is Jesus talking about?
He contrasts it with “the Spirit” and His “words” (John 6:63), so He is talking about physical flesh.

Viewed from eternity, how much do peoples' flesh profit?
“Nothing” (John 6:63).

What are “spirit” and everlasting “life” (John 6:63)?
Jesus' “words” (John 6:63).

How much time and effort do you spend per day on your hair, make up, dressing up, working out, and feeding your body vs. feeding on Jesus' words?
 

JOHN 6:64-65  64 “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was who will betray Him. 65 And He said, “Because of this, I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

Why didn't Jesus water down or soften His message or plead with them to believe?
There are at least three reasons. One, whether or not they believe in Him is determined not by how gently the message is delivered but by God the Father: “no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father” (John 6:65). Two, “Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe” (John 6:64). And three, Jesus wanted to disperse a mob that had come to crown Him king and lead a rebellion against the Romans (see Jesus King).

Why does John 6:65 sound familiar?
Jesus has been emphasizing throughout this discourse that it is God the Father who enables us to believe in Him. God the “Father gives” (John 6:37); He [Father] has given (John 6:39); No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him(John 6:44); Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:45); and, “No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father” (John 6:65).