1. The Names and Geography of the Sea
The Sea of Galilee is called by several names in Scripture. It is named the Sea of Galilee because it lies in the region of Galilee. It is called the Sea of Tiberias because the city of Tiberias stood on its western shore. It is called the Sea of Gennesaret after the fertile plain that lies on its northwestern coast. The lake is approximately thirteen miles long from north to south and eight miles wide from east to west. It is located in the Jordan Rift Valley, with the Jordan River flowing through it from north to south. The Sea of Galilee is surrounded by hills, and sudden violent storms often descend from the surrounding heights onto the lake.
2. The Cities Around the Sea
Several important cities were located around the Sea of Galilee in biblical times. Capernaum became the center of Jesus' Galilean ministry, often called His own city. Bethsaida, the home of Peter, Andrew, and Philip, was located on the northern shore. Chorazin was another city where Jesus performed many mighty works. Tiberias, built by Herod Antipas, gave the sea one of its names. Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalene, was on the western shore. The region of the Gadarenes (or Gerasenes) was on the eastern side, where Jesus cast the legion of demons into a herd of swine.
3. The Calling of the Disciples at the Sea
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee and saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him. The first disciples were called from the shores of this sea.
4. Jesus Taught from a Boat on the Sea
On one occasion, the multitude pressed against Jesus to hear the word of God. He saw two boats standing by the lake, and He entered one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. The Sea of Galilee became a natural amphitheater, with the hillsides serving as seating for the crowds while Jesus spoke from the water.
5. The Miraculous Catch of Fish
After teaching from the boat, Jesus said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. Both boats were filled so that they began to sink. This miracle led Peter to fall at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord."
6. Jesus Calmed the Storm on the Sea
Jesus got into a boat with His disciples, and a great windstorm arose on the sea. The waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. The disciples awoke Him, crying, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" He arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" The disciples feared exceedingly and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"
7. Jesus Walked on the Water of the Sea
Immediately after feeding the five thousand, Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was contrary them. About the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea. They cried out, thinking it was a ghost. But Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Peter asked to come to Him on the water and walked toward Jesus until his faith wavered. When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
8. The Healing of the Demon-Possessed Man on the Eastern Shore
Jesus and His disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. A man with an unclean spirit met Him, who had his dwelling among the tombs. No one could bind him, not even with chains. Night and day, he cried out and cut himself with stones. Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out. When Jesus asked his name, he answered, "My name is Legion, for we are many." The demons begged to be sent into a herd of swine. Jesus gave them permission. The swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea and drowned. The man was found sitting, clothed, and in his right mind.
9. The Resurrection Appearance at the Sea of Galilee
After His resurrection, Jesus showed Himself again to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. Peter said, "I am going fishing." They went out and caught nothing that night. When morning came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Him. He called to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered, "No." He said, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." They cast, and they were not able to draw the net in because of the multitude of fish. John said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" This is the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. On the shore, Jesus restored Peter, saying three times, "Feed My sheep."
10. The Sea as a Symbol of the Nations and Judgment
In prophetic Scripture, the sea often symbolizes the restless, troubled nations of the world. The Sea of Galilee, surrounded by Gentile territories, became a symbol of the gospel going out to all peoples. Jesus also used the imagery of a net cast into the sea, gathering fish of every kind, representing the kingdom of heaven gathering both good and bad until the judgment. The Sea of Galilee, which witnessed so many acts of mercy, also points forward to the final separation of the righteous and the wicked.
Conclusion
The Sea of Galilee is the lake of miracles. On its shores, Jesus called His disciples. On its waters, He calmed storms and walked on waves. In its depths, nets overflowed with fish at His command. From its region, the gospel spread to the world. Every believer who reads of this sea is reminded that the same Jesus who rules the wind and waves still says, "Peace, be still," to the storms of life.