Thursday, March 02, 2006
Did Jesus have a house in Capernaum?
I've always been intrigued with this verse in Mark, as suggesting that Jesus may have had a house in Capernaum:
But Mark's text encourages the reader to imagine Jesus hosting the party at his own place in Capernaum. After all, he has just asked Levi to follow him (Mark 2.14) and from that point onwards, Levi is absorbed into the anonmymous following disciples group in Mark, not even listed as one of the twelve in Mark 3.13-19. Mark 2.15-18 is a new pericope in Mark, and it is probably Mark himself who has bolted this pericope onto the Call of Levi in 2.13-14, in which case he may well have inherited this tradition about Jesus partying in his house without a link with the Levi tradition.
I am not sure why we should be surprised at the note that Jesus may have had a house in Capernaum. After all, Capernaum does seem to be the hub of his mission in Galilee. Perhaps we allow ourselves to be seduced by the saying in Matt. 8.20 // Luke 9.58, "Foxes have their holes and the birds of the air have their nests . . ." But even if Jesus said that, we don't know when he said it, and it could reflect a later, itinerant stage of his mission.
If Jesus the craftsman had a career in Capernaum, perhaps this is how he got to know those later to become his disciples.
If Mark 2.1-12 also depicts Jesus at his house (2.1, ἐν οἴκῳ, "at home"), perhaps that is why he says "Child, your sins are forgiven" -- they've just dug a big hole through the roof of Jesus' house and he's going to have to get up there later on to mend it.
Mark 2.15: καὶ γίνεται κατακεῖσθαι αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ αὐτοῦ καὶ πολλοὶ τελῶναι καὶ ἁμαρτωλοὶ συνανέκειντο τῷ Ἰησοῦ καὶ τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἦσαν γὰρ πολλοὶ καὶ ἠκολούθουν αὐτῷThis may be an example of the criterion I was recently discussing, accidental information, or material given away in passing, where a piece of data (here: Jesus had a house in Capernaum) is assumed and not narrated. However, there is another way to take the verse. Is Mark intending the reader to take the αὐτοῦ (his) with reference to Levi, who has just been called to follow Jesus? This is the way that most commentators across the centuries have taken it, but I suspect that this is under the influence of Luke, who makes this a great party in Levi's house (Luke 5.29). Incidentally, I can't help wondering how Levi had the resources to finance this big party if he had just left everything (Luke 5.28); perhaps it was long last big bash with his old mates before setting off on the road with Jesus; or perhaps by "everything", Luke means his career and his means of earning a living (cf. the same pattern in the Zacchaeus story in Luke 19.1-10, where the tax-collector is called, and Jesus invites himself to tea).
And it happened that he was reclining in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who were following him . . .
But Mark's text encourages the reader to imagine Jesus hosting the party at his own place in Capernaum. After all, he has just asked Levi to follow him (Mark 2.14) and from that point onwards, Levi is absorbed into the anonmymous following disciples group in Mark, not even listed as one of the twelve in Mark 3.13-19. Mark 2.15-18 is a new pericope in Mark, and it is probably Mark himself who has bolted this pericope onto the Call of Levi in 2.13-14, in which case he may well have inherited this tradition about Jesus partying in his house without a link with the Levi tradition.
I am not sure why we should be surprised at the note that Jesus may have had a house in Capernaum. After all, Capernaum does seem to be the hub of his mission in Galilee. Perhaps we allow ourselves to be seduced by the saying in Matt. 8.20 // Luke 9.58, "Foxes have their holes and the birds of the air have their nests . . ." But even if Jesus said that, we don't know when he said it, and it could reflect a later, itinerant stage of his mission.
If Jesus the craftsman had a career in Capernaum, perhaps this is how he got to know those later to become his disciples.
If Mark 2.1-12 also depicts Jesus at his house (2.1, ἐν οἴκῳ, "at home"), perhaps that is why he says "Child, your sins are forgiven" -- they've just dug a big hole through the roof of Jesus' house and he's going to have to get up there later on to mend it.
Comments:
Intriguing ideas. I'd never before given thought to these verses describing Jesus' house, but you've made a reasonable case. Thanks for sharing it.
I agree Mark- very interesting ideas indeed. If you are right- the notion of Jesus as wandering poor man is inexact at best.
Matthew 4:13 tells us that Jesus moved from Nazareth to live in Capernaum. This implies that he either purchased a house or shared a house with someone. In either case there would be a house in Capernaum that could be referred to as "his," whether Mark intends to refer to it or not.
# posted by 
: 9:22 PM
: 9:22 PM
I wrote a brief article, "Mark 2:15: The Home of Jesus or Levi?," in the journal New Testament Studies, vol. 39, 1993. My conclusion, based on social-science criticism (specifically reciprocity) was that "the cultural setting of the first-century world supports the position that the home in which Jesus dined and was condemned by the scribes of the Pharisees was not his home but Levi's."
David M. May
David M. May
# posted by : 9:30 PM
: 9:30 PM
John 1:38-39 ... They said to him, "Rabbi, where are you staying?"
He said to them,"Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.
... this doesn't mean he owned a home, I guess, but maybe it suggests some kind of residence?
He said to them,"Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.
... this doesn't mean he owned a home, I guess, but maybe it suggests some kind of residence?
The great classic for studying accidental information is: John Blunt's Undesigned Coincidences. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/John_James_Blunt
William Paley also studied this phenomenon in his Horae Paulinae.
http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/John_James_Blunt
William Paley also studied this phenomenon in his Horae Paulinae.
Mark,
I think a good case can be made that Capernaum was Jesus' base of operations from he then ventured out of in his itinerant travels, which implies that he had some kind of regular accomodation there. Rainer Riesner goes too far in thinking that he set up a rabbinic school there!
I think a good case can be made that Capernaum was Jesus' base of operations from he then ventured out of in his itinerant travels, which implies that he had some kind of regular accomodation there. Rainer Riesner goes too far in thinking that he set up a rabbinic school there!
My take on this has been that is actually Peter's home. This is the home Jesus enters after preaching in the synagogue. Go from Mk 1:14 to 1:21, and then after a tour by Jesus, return to be "at home" Mk 2:1. If Jesus, creating a new family stays with that family, is their home not his home. While I grant the possibility of your reading, I wonder whether it doesn't import a modern concept of home ownership divorced from extended (or relacement) families into the text. I would argue that the most likely alternatives are Peter's home and Levi's home, not Jesus as a second home owning property magnate.
I have discussed the very point with my students on a number of occasions. They are always surprised and often bring up the "foxes have holes..." quote. Whether he had a house of his own or not, Mark implies that he had a regular residence known to the local populace.
# posted by : 5:12 AM
: 5:12 AM
What we really want to know is, what kind of mortgage did he have -- fixed, adjustable, interest-only?
If Mark 2.1-12 also depicts Jesus at his house (2.1, ἐν οἴκῳ, "at home"), perhaps that is why he says "Child, your sins are forgiven" -- they've just dug a big hole through the roof of Jesus' house and he's going to have to get up there later on to mend it.
Hi Dr. Goodacre,
I'll share something that I learned from my dad last year...
the hole dug in the roof is symbolic of his baptism... burying himself with Christ. That's why his sins are forgiven.
("your sins are forgiven you" is the wisdom statement of the first part of that Story, written in the Literary Form of a Parable.)
Levi getting up to follow Jesus is the wisdom statment of the Wisdom section of that same Story. The literary form tells us that Levi rose from the waters of baptism...or said another way...he put away his old mat, or old way of thinking, and followed Jesus.
Jesus came to call the sinner to newness of life in the Spirit, that's why he's eating with them.
Anne
Hi Dr. Goodacre,
I'll share something that I learned from my dad last year...
the hole dug in the roof is symbolic of his baptism... burying himself with Christ. That's why his sins are forgiven.
("your sins are forgiven you" is the wisdom statement of the first part of that Story, written in the Literary Form of a Parable.)
Levi getting up to follow Jesus is the wisdom statment of the Wisdom section of that same Story. The literary form tells us that Levi rose from the waters of baptism...or said another way...he put away his old mat, or old way of thinking, and followed Jesus.
Jesus came to call the sinner to newness of life in the Spirit, that's why he's eating with them.
Anne
This was posted on our blog today, and thought you may be interested...
Home and House
In Mark's gospel, Jesus returns to Capernaum, and we find out that "he was at home," as chapter two begins.
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. (nrsv)
In Mark's chapter three, after Jesus appoints the twelve, we are told simply that "he (Jesus) went home, and the crowd came together again, so they could not even eat.
In both examples, home is where the community of believers assemble!
In this second example from Mark's chapter three, we are given an additional insight into the word home. Here, Jesus begins to speak to the scribes that have come down from Jerusalem using the word, house.
"How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a stron man's house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"--for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit." (nrsv)
I suggest to you that the scribes from Jerusalem represent the House of Israel who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit by saying that the words that come out from Jesus' mouth are not from the Holy Spirit but from Beelzebul.
Now, I suggest that Jesus' home in the two examples that I've given from the beginning of Mark's gospel represent the assembly of those who believe Jesus' words. The home is where the Spirit dwells among believers! In this second passage, when his family comes to restrain Jesus because some people have said that Jesus has gone out of his mind, this is Jesus' answer to return to home: Yes, he has gone out of his mind--Jesus has gone into his heart, where the Spirit gushes forth to be welcomed by the assembly.
Home and House
In Mark's gospel, Jesus returns to Capernaum, and we find out that "he was at home," as chapter two begins.
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. (nrsv)
In Mark's chapter three, after Jesus appoints the twelve, we are told simply that "he (Jesus) went home, and the crowd came together again, so they could not even eat.
In both examples, home is where the community of believers assemble!
In this second example from Mark's chapter three, we are given an additional insight into the word home. Here, Jesus begins to speak to the scribes that have come down from Jerusalem using the word, house.
"How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a stron man's house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"--for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit." (nrsv)
I suggest to you that the scribes from Jerusalem represent the House of Israel who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit by saying that the words that come out from Jesus' mouth are not from the Holy Spirit but from Beelzebul.
Now, I suggest that Jesus' home in the two examples that I've given from the beginning of Mark's gospel represent the assembly of those who believe Jesus' words. The home is where the Spirit dwells among believers! In this second passage, when his family comes to restrain Jesus because some people have said that Jesus has gone out of his mind, this is Jesus' answer to return to home: Yes, he has gone out of his mind--Jesus has gone into his heart, where the Spirit gushes forth to be welcomed by the assembly.
I'd like to try a slightly different approach to this question and look at it more through the eyes of common sense. Jesus grew up with parents who undoubtedly had a house or residence, and then as an adult held a career and lived his life like those around him. Wouldn’t it have been very odd for him to have not had a house of his own, especially when he taught others how to grow & succeed in life? It wouldn’t surprise me to find out that he sold all his possessions (including a house?) to begin his ministry near the end, but I agree with Jim's concept in one of the posts that it's not very conceivable that he was some kind of wondering vagabond his entire life - that just doesn’t jive with common sense which any thinking person carries.
I had a chance to read the blog and everyones comments about the subject of Jesus having a house. I found it all very intriguing. In looking at all of the scriptural references that were left, I looked at several things and a few things even went through my head which make me question the type of living quaters they had at the time. In Mark chapter 2:1 it says that it was noised that He was in the house. As one of you mentioned, house could have meant the city, or one can take it from a literal sense. There could have been a dwelling place more than just one individual to dwell in. Almost like those Chinese hotels where a they all share one place with many separated beds. It would be great if someone could find that. Yet, also according to scripture, in order to fulfill the prophesy that was given by the prophet Esaias (Isaiah) that he would be in the land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim by the way of the sea, Isa 9:1and 2 Jesus came and dwelt in Capernaum Matt. 4:13. The disciples on the other hand had homes, and may have even had a place for all of them to dwell together also. After Jesus had risen, and was walking on the road with the two disciples Lk 24 the disciples constrained him to come and stay with them. Luke 24:30, yet at the same time, Paul had his own place Acts 28:30. I have not come to any conclusion, exept, the main things that Jesus said, Repent, make disciples, and be holy as He is holy.
Friends, I have posted some comments on this subject at my blog at: http://michaelhalcomb.blogspot.com/
Some of the conversation echoes things found here yet, some of it is different. It is under the entry "Did Jesus have a home?"
This is an interesting topic to say the least!
--T Michael W Halcomb
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Some of the conversation echoes things found here yet, some of it is different. It is under the entry "Did Jesus have a home?"
This is an interesting topic to say the least!
--T Michael W Halcomb
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