Lives of Scripture
Galilee
The hilly northern region of Israel around the Sea of Galilee, home to Nazareth, Capernaum, Cana, and Bethsaida. Though set apart by Joshua as a place of refuge (Joshua 20:7) and later the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, by New Testament times "Galilee of the Gentiles" was viewed by some in Judea as culturally provincial — Nathanael's "can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" reflects the attitude (John 1:46). It was nonetheless where Jesus grew up, was baptized in the nearby Jordan, called His first disciples (mostly Galilean fishermen), and conducted the bulk of His public ministry — teaching, healing, and performing most of His recorded miracles around its lake before His final journey to Jerusalem (Matthew 4:12-17; Isaiah 9:1-2).
References: Joshua 20:7; Matthew 4:12-17; Luke 1:26; John 1:46
People connected to Galilee
- Andrew (M) — a fisherman of this region, among the first Jesus called
Matthew 4:18-20
- Herod Antipas (M) — tetrarch of this region, who imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist
Luke 3:1; Mark 6:14-27
- Herodias (F) — married to the tetrarch of this region, whose rebuke by John she resented
Mark 6:17-19
- James (M) — a fisherman of this region, called by Jesus with his brother John
Matthew 4:21-22
- Joanna (F) — a woman of Herod's household here, who supported Jesus's ministry from her means
Luke 8:3
- John (M) — a fisherman of this region, called by Jesus with his brother James
Matthew 4:21-22
- Judas of Galilee (M) — the rebel of this region recalled by Gamaliel before the council
Acts 5:37
- Matthew (M) — a tax collector of this region, called by Jesus to follow
Mark 2:14
- Nathanael (M) — of Cana in this region, called to Jesus through his friend Philip
John 1:45-49; John 21:2
- Peter (M) — a fisherman of this region, leader among the Twelve
Matthew 4:18
- Philip (M) — of Bethsaida in this region, one of the Twelve
John 1:43-44
- Salome (F) — a woman who followed and provided for Jesus in this region
Mark 15:40-41
- Salome — Herodias's daughter, whose dance in this region cost John the Baptist his head
Mark 6:22-28
- Thomas (M) — one of the Twelve, called during Jesus's ministry in this region
John 21:2
Also named in Scripture at Galilee: Judas (M).