Entry to Church House of St. Peter

On the south side of Capernaum stands the large modern church of  The House of St. Peter. It hovers over the ruins of the 5th century octagonal church, also known by the same name. This church had been built over the remains of even earlier buildings.

To begin with the earliest from the first century. Remains of the insula can still be seen beneath the later buildings. According to some archaeologists one room or courtyard within this insula received special status in the latter parts of the first century, becoming a place of assembly. The floor was covered with plaster, and the wall reworked, some even say with inscriptions. This is contested by other archeologists. No household ceramics were found in this room, only a very large amount of oil lamps.

This late 1st century structure may have been used as a domus-ecclesia or house church by the early Christians of Capernaum.

Across insula to House of St. Peter

In the 4th century this structure underwent a major transformation. Walls were added as well as archways  to support the roof and new entrances. It is possible that the remainder of the insula continued in its original function, as living quarters.

In the 5th century the whole insula was dismantled as well as the early house of prayer. On top was built a large octagonal church, to become known as the Church of the House of St. Peter. The Byzantines took great care to locate this church directly above the early house. Mosaics covered the floors of plants and animals. The mosaic in the central octagon in addition had schools of fish and in the center a circle with a peacock, an early Christian symbol for immortality.

Although there are only ruins to be seen today, the place may hold special significance for the Christian visitor.

Is this really the House of St. Peter?

There is no doubt about the identification of Capernaum. There is however debate on whether the House of St. Peter really is that.

Jesus chose Capernaum as the place of his ministry. (Mtt. 4: 13) Many of his disciples were from Capernaum. Simon, later known as Peter, lived in Capernaum with his family, worked as a fisherman (Matt. 4:18) and was one of the first to be  chosen by Jesus.

Peter and his house is mentioned a number of times in the gospels. In fact one of the first healings is of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:30). This means that Peter was married, as was the norm of those days. There is no information on Peter’s family, except that he also had a brother, Andrew, who most likely lived in the same insula as Peter.

Whenever considering if a 5th century church was really built over Peter’s house, a number of things should be taken into consideration.

1. The insula at the time would house extended families
2. Oral tradition

Is it possible that the family of Peter would remember where he lived? Is it possible even that he had descendants, children? Quite likely, as he was married. Would they have followed in his footsteps and followed Jesus, and became the foundation for the Christian community in Capernaum.

There is an additional question to consider. Where did Jesus stay while in Capernaum? He would not have slept outside in the open. If we take the stand that he was not married, he most likely did not have his own household. Is it possible that he would stay with Simon Peter, his best friend?
At least some of the time?

Sculpture of St. Peter

After the death of Jesus, Peter, together with the disciples, returned to the Galilee, to their homes in Capernaum. They would have come back and told all that had happened in Jerusalem. They would have continued to stay there, especially Peter, until he fully began his apostolic work.

Taking all of the above into consideration there is a very high likelihood that the church is truly built over the house of Peter.

I have told you the way I see it. It is up to you now to consider this. But maybe when you visit Capernaum you will actually walk where Jesus and the disciples lived, worked and walked.