The Synagogue of Jesus (كنيس يسوع) refers to an early first century CE synagogue structure uncovered beneath the later, much studied white limestone synagogue at ancient Capernaum. This basalt built hall is presumed to be the one where Jesus Isa taught and performed healings during his ministry.
Little remains of the original first century CE building, aside from basalt foundations, cobbled floors, and some wall remnants. A grand fourth fifth century CE limestone synagogue now stands atop it, partially restored. Tradition holds that Jesus preached and healed in the synagogue at Capernaum—including the exorcism of a man with an unclean spirit and the healing of a leper—miracles also revered in Islamic tradition.
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Archaeological excavations led by Corbo and Loffreda (1969–1974) revealed that beneath the later limestone synagogue lay well-constructed basalt foundations and a cobblestone floor (inspect) belonging to a first century hall. Pottery shards date it securely to the early CE period. This public building measured approximately 22 × 16.5 m—slightly smaller than its successor—and its walls were a full metre thick .
Constructed of local basalt, plastered internally, it likely followed the typical Galilean synagogue layout: a rectangular hall, wooden benches along the walls, possibly a wooden pulpit (“bimah”), and niches to house Torah scrolls. Roofs would have been timber and reed, supported by wooden posts or early columns. Light probably entered through small windows inset in thick walls. Entry was likely single door on the south side, oriented toward Jerusalem.
This modest but functional hall stood amid domestic dwellings, suggesting it served as both a religious and communal center. Its scale suggests capacity for perhaps 70–100 people.
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According to the Gospels, Jesus frequently attended and taught in the first century synagogue at Capernaum, where his words were noted for their authority and insight. Mark 1:21–28 and Luke 4:31–37 describe him teaching on the Sabbath and impressing listeners who remarked that his teaching was unlike that of the scribes. During one of these sessions, a man possessed by an unclean spirit cried out, and Jesus rebuked the spirit with a direct command, causing it to depart, leaving the crowd astonished at his authority even over supernatural forces. Beyond this dramatic exorcism, the tradition also places a notable healing of a leper at Capernaum, emphasizing Jesus’ role in ritual and physical restoration. According to John 6:59, it was also in this synagogue that Jesus delivered his “Bread of Life” discourse, linking his ministry to a deeper spiritual nourishment. Together, these accounts depict the Capernaum synagogue as a central place where Jesus not only taught and healed, but revealed his authority and compassion in ways that left a lasting impression on those present.
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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