Revisiting Jesus’ Capernaum:

Poverty and Its Causes in the Early Church

“…Mattila concludes that as the concern for purity and halakah rose, the 'introverted trade patterns' grew stronger. 41 Th e archaeological evidence supports Josephus's claims about large quantities of olive oil produced in Galilee and exported to Jewish communities in Syrian Antioch. Josephus rails against his political rival, John of Gischala, who has a stranglehold on olive oil production in upper Galilee and charges high prices to Jews in Antioch ( J.W.…”

“…38 Rhodian jar fragments from the second century BCE and free-blown glassware from the late fi rst century CE in domestic spaces prompt Mattila's contention that 'at least some of the villagers in Jesus's Capernaum probably lived at a level signifi cantly above subsistence' . 39 Additionally, she notes the high number of stone jars (approximately 150) found in this small town. A few of these jars were quite large and, thus, quite expensive.…”