Chorazin remains

About an hour and a half walk up the hillside from the shoreline of Capernaum are the remains of Chorazim (Korazim).  It was renowned for the good wheat grown there. 

"The primary geology around the Sea of Galilee is lava rock (basalt) derived from ancient volcanic eruptions.  Basalt was the main source of building material around the Sea.  Buildings constructed from any other material meant the stone would have had to be imported."

"In the New Testament (Matthew 11:21 and Luke 10:13) Chorazim is mentioned as a city condemned by Jesus.  He must have done significant miracles in the vicinity considering the "woes" pronounced against the inhabitants for their unbelief."

"Ritual purification baths located near the 2nd or 3rd century AD basaltic synagogue suggest some element of observant Judaism."

 "The archaeological find of "Moses' seat" located in the synagogue fits ancient Jewish culture of the Gospels."  The seat of Moses was found in the 1920's.  The original is in the museum in Jerusalem.  The priest with the most authority would sit on the hand carved seat as he taught the people.  Perhaps if Jesus had spoken at this synagogue, as was His custom, He would have had His turn as a Rabbi, sitting in this seat!

Synagogue

"By the 2nd century, Chorazin was far from an observant Jewish village.  There was a strong Hellenistic influence within the city."

"How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin!  ...If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have long ago put on sackcloth and sprinkled ahses on themselves, to show that they had turned from their sins!"  Matthew 11:21

quotes from "Exploring Bible Times" field notes by Dr. James Martin