CHORAZIN
Located on a hillside nearly nine
hundred feet above the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Chorazin is
situated in a region of black basaltic (volcanic) rock. One route of the
International Coastal Highway passed between Chorazin and Capernaum, two miles
to the south of Chorazin.
Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum formed what is called the "evangelical
triangle" because most of Jesus’ miracles in Galilee were performed in these
cities. In light of Jesus’ condemnation of them for their unbelief, the word
"evangelical" would more accurately refer to the preaching of the gospel there,
rather than the character of their inhabitants (Matt 11:20-30). The
people of Chorazin could see the other cities of the "evangelical triangle,"
Capernaum to the south and Bethsaida to the east. Chrorazin was comparable
in size to Capernaum, with a similar synagogue. The buildings were made of
the volcanic basalt found also around Capernaum, Bethsaida and Gamala. The
"insula," the complex of wall-to-wall homes, was larger in Chorazin than in
Capernaum. The remains of "Chorazin" seen today are not those of the city
of Jesus’ day because no first century remains have been found there. The
original city was probably located above the present road that passes eastward
to Almagor. The remains of the third or fourth century synagogue are
similar to those of Capernaum and other Galilean towns. Together with
Capernaum and Bethsaida, Jesus condemned Chorazin for its unbelief despite His
doing most of His miracles in these cities (Matt 11:20-24).
Jesus coupled Chorazin with Bethsaida, as He compared their condemnation to that
of the cities of Tyre and Sidon (Matt 11:20-24).
It is likely that Jesus often visited Chorazin. The people there would probably
be as aware of who He was and what He taught as those in Capernaum.