Peter viewed the healing ministry of Jesus as primary, as did many of his companions. Jesus viewed them as only a small part of His larger mission. He had "come out" from God to fulfill this mission. Peter encouraged Jesus to stay where He could not escape pressure to perform miracles (cf. John 7:3-5). Jesus chose to move on to other parts of Galilee where He could present the gospel ( Mark 1:14) and His claims ( Mark 1:15). [source][source][source]Mark 1:39 summarizes this preaching tour throughout Galilee. It may have lasted several weeks or even months (cf. Matthew 4:23-25). Jesus centered His ministry during this time in the synagogues because His mission was essentially religious rather than political or economic. His main activity was heralding (Gr. kerysso) the gospel, but He authenticated His preaching with miracles, the most dramatic of which were exorcisms. [source][source][source]
Josephus wrote that Galilee, which contained much rich agricultural land, was full of cities and villages, not the least of which contained15 ,000 inhabitants. [1] This figure may refer to the cities and their surrounding villages, however, because there is evidence that towns like Capernaum and Bethsaida, both on the Sea of Galilee, had only2 ,000 to3 ,000 inhabitants each. [2] Each group of villages had its head city, and synagogues existed in these regional capitals. [3][source]