And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

MATTHEW 4:13KJV
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Matthew 4:13 (KJV)

What does Matthew 4:13 mean?

Matthew 4:13 describes Jesus leaving his hometown of Nazareth and settling in Capernaum, a town by the Sea of Galilee, located within the regions historically known as Zabulon (Zebulun) and Nephthalim (Naphtali). This move sets the stage for the beginning of Jesus’s public ministry in a new area.

In this verse, Matthew is narrating Jesus’s actions to his readers, showing a deliberate shift from Nazareth to Capernaum. The mention of the specific regions—Zabulon and Nephthalim—ties Jesus’s movements to Old Testament geography, preparing for a later point where Matthew will highlight how this fulfills ancient prophecy. The verse marks a turning point, as Jesus chooses a location that will become central to his teaching and healing work.

The Greek behind Matthew 4:13

  • The word "dwelt" (κατοικέω, katoikeō) means to settle down or make a home, not just to visit. This emphasizes that Jesus made Capernaum his base of operations, not just a temporary stop.
  • "Borders" (ὁρίοις, horiois) refers to the boundaries or regions of Zabulon and Nephthalim. The Greek term highlights that Capernaum sits right at the edge of these tribal territories, which is important for understanding the fulfillment of prophecy Matthew refers to in the next verses.
  • "Sea coast" (παραθαλασσίᾳ, parathalassia) means by the sea, specifically the Sea of Galilee. This detail helps readers picture the setting and understand why Capernaum was a significant, bustling place.

Why Matthew 4:13 matters

  • Matthew 4:13 clarifies that Jesus intentionally left Nazareth and chose Capernaum as a strategic location for his ministry, not by accident or convenience.
  • The mention of Zabulon and Nephthalim connects Jesus’s actions to specific Old Testament prophecies, showing that his life fits into a larger story already familiar to Jewish readers.
  • This verse helps readers see why so many of Jesus’s teachings and miracles happen in and around Capernaum, making sense of the geography in the rest of the Gospel.

Where else these words appear

“Zabulon” Greek G2194 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 4:15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
  • Revelation 7:8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

“Nephthalim” Greek G3508 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 4:15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
  • Revelation 7:6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

“borders” Greek G3725 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Matthew 15:39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
  • Mark 7:31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

“Nazareth” Greek G3478 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
  • Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
  • Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.