Galilee is a region in northern Israel. It reaches from the Northern city of Dan at the base of Mt. Hermon, down to the intersection of Mt. Gilboa and Mt. Camel. The Sea of Galilee is located in the central Eastern part of this region. The sea; however, is geographically a lake. It is also known as the Lake of Kinneret, which is derived from the Hebrew word Kinner meaning ‘harp’. Fish are very plentiful in this freshwater lake. Underneath the lake, there are saltwater springs that supply water as well, but they are diluted by the amount of freshwater coming in.

Surrounding the Sea of Galilee were many villages.  The shores of this body of water were very busy and flourishing. It was always a center for activity and profit in Galilee. The lake was a main supplier of life for those who lived nearby. The Sea of Galilee was a constant source of food and water.

The city of Capernaum was a fishing village at the northern tip of the sea. It had a population of about 1,500. It had its own synagogue and the Lord Jesus taught there many times. The origin of the name Capernaum means “Nahum’s Village" in Hebrew. It is near the hometowns of the apostles Andrew, Peter, James and John. Capernaum always had a population large enough to be labeled as a city and yet is frequently labeled as a village in many sources of historical documentation

The "Good news of God" means so many things to me...

All existence was created from God. He is good, perfect and pure. We modernly have turned the word good in to meaning just something that is fullfilling a desire. The word has been molded to mean something that is desireable or positive. However, saying that the "good news of God" simply means that it produces a positive response within us, is shallow truth and touches only on the bottom of what that phrase means. 

Yes, the news of God should makes us happy. Nevertheless, in scripture the word good is often used in many different ways. Before the time of Jesus, the citizens of the world were lost. So when Jesus came, His purpose was to "speak the good news of God". He was sent to speak the message that would fullfill the desires of God the Father, through the sacrifice of the son. He spoke the "good news of God" or in other words, "He spoke the fullfillment of God," through His teaching. However, the teachings of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, also fullfilled the desires of those who heard the message, who repented and who allowed the word to produce fruit in their lives. That is what the phrase, "good news of God" means to me.