The Galileans were the people who lived in Galilee, a region in northern Israel. Galilee was known as the traditional homeland of the northern tribes of Israel. Several important biblical events took place in Galilee and involved the Galileans.
Some key things to know about the Galileans in the Bible:
- Jesus grew up in Galilee and did much of his ministry there. He was often referred to as “Jesus of Galilee” (Matthew 26:69). Most of Jesus’ 12 disciples also came from Galilee.
- The Galileans had a distinctive accent that identified where they were from (Matthew 26:73).
- They were considered rural and uneducated compared to people from Jerusalem and Judea (John 7:52).
- However, important cities like Nazareth, Capernaum and Cana were located in Galilee.
- Galilee had a large Gentile population. This may be why Jesus did significant outreach to Gentiles in this region.
- The prophet Jonah came from Gath Hepher near Nazareth in Galilee (2 Kings 14:25).
Here is more in-depth information on the Galileans in the Bible:
Geography of Galilee
Galilee was the northern region of Israel located west of the Jordan River and north of Samaria. It was part of the former territory of the northern Israelite tribes – Zebulun, Naphtali, Asher, and Dan. Galilee covered an area of around 60 by 30 miles.
The region had very fertile and well-watered plains. Major agricultural products included olives, grapes, and figs. Galilee also had access to important trade routes.
The Galilee region contained several important biblical cities and sites including:
- Nazareth – Where Jesus grew up (Matthew 2:23)
- Cana – Where Jesus did his first miracle (John 2:1-11)
- Capernaum – Jesus centered his ministry here (Matthew 4:13)
- Sea of Galilee – Important site of Jesus’ ministry
- Mount of Transfiguration – Where Jesus was transfigured (Luke 9:28-36)
- Mount Tabor – Associated with Deborah and Barak’s battle (Judges 4)
People of Galilee
The Galileans were Jewish people descended from the northern Israelite tribes. However, over the centuries, the population became quite diverse. In addition to native Jews, there were also Phoenicians, Syrians, Arabs, Greeks, and Romans. This gave Galilee a more multi-cultural feel compared to Judea.
The Galileans spoke a distinctive regional dialect of Aramaic along with some Greek and Hebrew. Their accent was enough to distinguish them from people of other regions (Matthew 26:73).
The Jerusalem religious elite looked down at the Galileans as rural and uneducated. They considered the region as the “Galilee of the Gentiles” since there were many non-Jews living there. However, archaeology shows Galilee was quite prosperous with several large, important cities.
Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee
Jesus grew up in the small Galilean town of Nazareth. He began his public ministry by relocating to Capernaum which became his home base (Matthew 4:13). Jesus traveled through many parts of Galilee preaching and performing miracles.
Reasons why Jesus focused so much of his ministry in Galilee:
- He had strong grassroots support here from early followers.
- As his home region, people identified him as a local “hometown prophet.”
- The mixed population of Jews and Gentiles allowed him to reach out to all people.
- He faced less immediate opposition from the Jerusalem religious leaders.
Important events in Jesus’ ministry based in Galilee:
- Called his first disciples like Peter, Andrew, James, and John who were Galilean fishermen (Matthew 4:18-22).
- Did first miracle of turning water into wine at Cana wedding feast (John 2:1-11).
- Based his ministry in Capernaum and did many teachings and miracles there (Matthew 4:13).
- Delivered the Sermon on the Mount near the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 5-7).
- Calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Luke 8:22-25).
- Fed the 5000 on mountain near Sea of Galilee (John 6:1-14).
- After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20).
Galileans in the Book of Acts
The Galileans continued to play an important role in the early church. Many of the apostles like Peter, Andrew, Philip and James the son of Alphaeus were Galileans. The early church first took root in Jerusalem but then spread back to Galilee.
Important references to Galileans in Acts:
- Peter was recognized as a Galilean by his accent even after Pentecost (Acts 2:7).
- Many miracles and signs were done by the apostles in Jerusalem and “the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison” (Acts 5:17-18).
- Acts 9:31 says after persecution “the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up.”
- Peter traveled through places like Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa performing healings (Acts 9:32-43).
So the Galilean Christians continued bringing the gospel back to their home region where Jesus first preached it.
Notable Galileans in the Bible
Here are some of the notable biblical people who came from Galilee region:
- Jesus – Lived in Nazareth for most of his life and did his early ministry across Galilee.
- Peter, Andrew, James, John – These fishermen left their nets to follow Jesus and became his first disciples. They were among the 12 apostles.
- Philip, Nathanael, James the Less – These three apostles also hailed from Galilee region.
- Jonah – The prophet came from the town of Gath Hepher near Nazareth in Galilee (2 Kings 14:25).
- Elijah and Elisha – These prophets traveled extensively in the Galilee region.
Overall, the Galilee region and its people played a very significant role in the Old and New Testament periods. Jesus inaugurated his ministry here. And many of his earliest followers came from the towns and villages of Galilee.
The Galileans Killed by Pilate
The one reference to “Galileans” in the New Testament that doesn’t refer to the general population of the region is in Luke 13:1. The verse states:
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
This is referring to an incident where Pontius Pilate killed a group of Galileans while they were offering sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem. However, there are no other biblical details about this specific event. The first-century Jewish historian Josephus described it this way:
“There were some of his subjects, who were carrying sacrifices to the temple to offer them up, whom Pontius Pilate afflicted with death and slaughter near the temple itself.” (Wars 2.9.4)
The reason behind Pilate’s attack is uncertain. It may have been to punish some perceived rebels or antagonists among this Galilean group. Or Pilate could have been offended by something the Galilean pilgrims did, perhaps treating it as an insult to his governance. Their murders likely created outrage back home in Galilee.
Jesus referenced this incident in Luke 13 to make the point that these Galileans were not worse sinners than others just because they suffered. He said his listeners also needed to repent or perish.
Later Galileans in the Bible
Besides the references during Jesus’ time, the term “Galileans” appears a couple other times in the Bible for later groups of people from this region.
Acts 5:37 mentions Judas the Galilean who led a tax revolt against the Romans shortly after Jesus’ ascension. A new revolutionary group later re-emerged in Acts 21:38 and were referred to as “the Assassins” or “the Daggermen” – likely a branch of the Zealots.
Overall, the Galilean people maintained a strong distinct identity and often resisted foreign rulership. Their geographical distance from Jerusalem also lent itself to periodic independence.
Lessons from the Galileans
The Galileans may offer several lessons and applications for Christians today:
- God can use ordinary, working-class people to change the world.
- Racial diversity enriches the church and spreads the gospel.
- Jesus cares not just for religious people but those on society’s margins.
- God’s values often contradict the priorities of human institutions.
- Following Christ may lead to clashes with political powers.
- Repentance and devotion matter more than background or ancestry.
The Galileans were part of a strategic plan of God to plant his Son and the good news of his kingdom within a fertile yet marginalized soil. God promised in Isaiah 9:1-2 that:
In the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
Despite appearances, obscure Galilee became the spiritual epicenter of the world. The Galilean accent of Jesus and his followers would echo through time as they shared the message of salvation to all peoples across the earth.