Mark 2:1-5 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days, and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch as there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him because of the press, they uncovered the roof where he was; and when they had broken it up, they lay down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

The residential section of the ancient town of Capernaum was excavated under the direction of Virgilio Corbo in 1968. These private houses (Insula II) lie between two parallel east to west streets and a broader street ("main street") between them. The houses are arranged around courtyards where ovens and grinding stones indicate bread was made. The walls of the houses are of the typical black basalt that is characteristic of the area. Mortared with mud and pebbles, the houses were one story with stairways that led to the roofs. It was in just such a house where the healing incident of Mark 2:1-5 had taken place. (Photo. Jack Kilmon)