And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
After rejection at Nazareth, Jesus went down to Capernaum and taught there. He had come into Galilee after His healing at the Pool of Bethesda had stirred the leaders at Jerusalem to plot against His life. At Capernaum He taught in the synagogue on successive Sabbath days, and multitudes gathered to hear Him.
His teaching astonished the people because it was given with power, leaving them spell-bound with wonder and admiration. He taught ordinary people with simple, eloquent words, using familiar scenes from daily life and adapting His language to His hearers, and drew an open response from them. There He encountered a man possessed by an evil spirit, the same evil spirit that had tempted Him in the wilderness. His ministry there revealed God's character and broke Satan's power, setting captives free.
He used divine authority to command demons, deliver those they controlled, and silence them when they proclaimed Him as the Holy One of God and the all-powerful Son of God. His authority over demons made His fame spread through the surrounding country. The same demonic power that possessed the man held unbelieving Jews fast because they felt no need of Christ.
After teaching He left the synagogue while the people were still amazed and went to Peter's house seeking a little rest, where the miracle of teaching was at once followed by another miracle of healing. His Sabbath work included extensive healing and speaking words of comfort and love to the sick. On the Sabbath He taught and served as a medical missionary, willingly and joyfully healing, so He could reach people who worked during the week. His example shows that caring for the sick is fitting Sabbath work. His move shows that persecution need not end the work: His servants when threatened in one place may leave it and continue laboring for people elsewhere.
After rejection at Nazareth, Jesus went down to Capernaum and taught there. He had come into Galilee after His healing at the Pool of Bethesda had stirred the leaders at Jerusalem to plot against His life. At Capernaum He taught in the synagogue on successive Sabbath days, and multitudes gathered to hear Him.
His teaching astonished the people because it was given with power, leaving them spell-bound with wonder and admiration. He taught ordinary people with simple, eloquent words, using familiar scenes from daily life and adapting His language to His hearers, and drew an open response from them. There He encountered a man possessed by an evil spirit, the same evil spirit that had tempted Him in the wilderness. His ministry there revealed God's character and broke Satan's power, setting captives free.
He used divine authority to command demons, deliver those they controlled, and silence them when they proclaimed Him as the Holy One of God and the all-powerful Son of God. His authority over demons made His fame spread through the surrounding country. The same demonic power that possessed the man held unbelieving Jews fast because they felt no need of Christ.
After teaching He left the synagogue while the people were still amazed and went to Peter's house seeking a little rest, where the miracle of teaching was at once followed by another miracle of healing. His Sabbath work included extensive healing and speaking words of comfort and love to the sick. On the Sabbath He taught and served as a medical missionary, willingly and joyfully healing, so He could reach people who worked during the week. His example shows that caring for the sick is fitting Sabbath work. His move shows that persecution need not end the work: His servants when threatened in one place may leave it and continue laboring for people elsewhere.