Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 4:13

"and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali:" — Matthew 4:13 (ASV)

Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum (cf. Lk 4:31), a village on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee. This village enjoyed a fishing industry that probably demanded the presence of a tax collector’s booth (9:9). Here, too, was Peter’s house (8:14). But Matthew is interested in pointing out Capernaum’s location with reference to the ancient tribal allotments of Zebulun and Naphtali (see vv.15–16).