Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
When Jesus heard that John had been cast into prison, He left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum by the sea in Zebulun and Naphtali, and there began His public work. This move fulfilled what Isaiah spoke, that the people sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of death would see a great light and have light spring up to them. His coming to Galilee brought that light to people living in spiritual darkness under Satan's power, as in pity He clothed divinity with humanity to break the enemy's power and hold him in check. There He preached repentance because the kingdom of heaven was near, taught in cities and villages, healed the sick, and called humble fishermen to become fishers of people. Those who hold the other account teach that the departure was from Jerusalem into Galilee, because after the Sabbath healing at Bethesda the plotting of the leading Jews made it unsafe to remain, and He made Capernaum His center because its thoroughfare brought all ranks and nations together so His lessons would be carried abroad.
Move to Galilee Explained
When Jesus heard that John had been cast into prison, He departed into Galilee. He left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum upon the sea coast in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. That move began His public work there. The chapter stands as the example of His methods of teaching in that new field.
The departure is also set as from Jerusalem into Galilee, for after the Sabbath healing at the Pool of Bethesda the malice of the leading Jews plotted against His life so that it was no longer safe to remain in Jerusalem. He made Capernaum the scene of His labors, not to avoid society nor to find rest. He chose it because its great thoroughfare of travel brought people from many countries and all ranks together, so that as Saviour of the world He could meet rich and poor. Lessons given there would be carried to other countries and households, excite investigation of the prophecies, direct notice to Him, and bring His work and mission before the world. There He taught and multitudes gathered on the Sabbaths with His way seemingly unobstructed, though spies tracked Him for accusation while the hearts of the common people were open to receive His divine instruction.
The move from Nazareth to Capernaum in Galilee of the Gentiles fulfilled what Isaiah spoke. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali by the way of the sea beyond Jordan was to see fulfillment of the word. The people sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of death would see a great light and have light spring up to them. That light rising for people living in darkness in Galilee is connected with His settling in Capernaum and beginning His work there.
Light and Ministry Pattern
Matthew 4:12 marks the beginning of Christ's ministry in Galilee, when after hearing of John's imprisonment He left Nazareth, settled in Capernaum in Zebulun and Naphtali, and began His public work in fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy that light would rise upon those in darkness. There He preached repentance because the kingdom of heaven was near, warned and taught in cities and villages, healed the sick, and went through all Galilee teaching, preaching, and healing. In that same opening work He called humble fishermen as His first disciples to follow Him and become fishers of people. Christ can still make such fishers of people from workers without great education who love Him, shaping their minds, souls, and abilities by His teachings until they go out to preach effectively clothed in His righteousness.
His coming to Galilee brought light to people living in spiritual darkness and under the power of Satan. In pity He clothed His divinity with humanity to break the enemy's power, to meet the powers of darkness, and by a counterworking influence from the highest authority to hold the enemy in check. This coming belonged to His first advent, when the world was in a terrible condition with men controlled by satanic agencies gaining control of bodies and minds, so that the Majesty of heaven laid off His kingly crown and royal robe to resist Satan's power.
The light is the clear presentation of Bible truth, and those who receive Christ as Saviour should rejoice because they gain eternal life. His healing and life-giving work displayed the gospel of salvation, yet witnessing miracles did not itself lead people to faith, for they needed to receive Him as the Son of God and the Bread of life. His teaching and healing in Galilee provide the example and pattern for how to work. That pattern calls for faithfully working important centers such as Redlands, Riverside, and Loma Linda, sounding the last note of warning in all towns and cities without prolonged effort in any one place because very many have not yet heard, and for sharing His self-denial and sacrifices without promise of wage.
When Jesus heard that John had been cast into prison, He left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum by the sea in Zebulun and Naphtali, and there began His public work. This move fulfilled what Isaiah spoke, that the people sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of death would see a great light and have light spring up to them. His coming to Galilee brought that light to people living in spiritual darkness under Satan's power, as in pity He clothed divinity with humanity to break the enemy's power and hold him in check. There He preached repentance because the kingdom of heaven was near, taught in cities and villages, healed the sick, and called humble fishermen to become fishers of people. Those who hold the other account teach that the departure was from Jerusalem into Galilee, because after the Sabbath healing at Bethesda the plotting of the leading Jews made it unsafe to remain, and He made Capernaum His center because its thoroughfare brought all ranks and nations together so His lessons would be carried abroad.
Move to Galilee Explained
When Jesus heard that John had been cast into prison, He departed into Galilee. He left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum upon the sea coast in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. That move began His public work there. The chapter stands as the example of His methods of teaching in that new field.
The departure is also set as from Jerusalem into Galilee, for after the Sabbath healing at the Pool of Bethesda the malice of the leading Jews plotted against His life so that it was no longer safe to remain in Jerusalem. He made Capernaum the scene of His labors, not to avoid society nor to find rest. He chose it because its great thoroughfare of travel brought people from many countries and all ranks together, so that as Saviour of the world He could meet rich and poor. Lessons given there would be carried to other countries and households, excite investigation of the prophecies, direct notice to Him, and bring His work and mission before the world. There He taught and multitudes gathered on the Sabbaths with His way seemingly unobstructed, though spies tracked Him for accusation while the hearts of the common people were open to receive His divine instruction.
The move from Nazareth to Capernaum in Galilee of the Gentiles fulfilled what Isaiah spoke. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali by the way of the sea beyond Jordan was to see fulfillment of the word. The people sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of death would see a great light and have light spring up to them. That light rising for people living in darkness in Galilee is connected with His settling in Capernaum and beginning His work there.
Light and Ministry Pattern
Matthew 4:12 marks the beginning of Christ's ministry in Galilee, when after hearing of John's imprisonment He left Nazareth, settled in Capernaum in Zebulun and Naphtali, and began His public work in fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy that light would rise upon those in darkness. There He preached repentance because the kingdom of heaven was near, warned and taught in cities and villages, healed the sick, and went through all Galilee teaching, preaching, and healing. In that same opening work He called humble fishermen as His first disciples to follow Him and become fishers of people. Christ can still make such fishers of people from workers without great education who love Him, shaping their minds, souls, and abilities by His teachings until they go out to preach effectively clothed in His righteousness.
His coming to Galilee brought light to people living in spiritual darkness and under the power of Satan. In pity He clothed His divinity with humanity to break the enemy's power, to meet the powers of darkness, and by a counterworking influence from the highest authority to hold the enemy in check. This coming belonged to His first advent, when the world was in a terrible condition with men controlled by satanic agencies gaining control of bodies and minds, so that the Majesty of heaven laid off His kingly crown and royal robe to resist Satan's power.
The light is the clear presentation of Bible truth, and those who receive Christ as Saviour should rejoice because they gain eternal life. His healing and life-giving work displayed the gospel of salvation, yet witnessing miracles did not itself lead people to faith, for they needed to receive Him as the Son of God and the Bread of life. His teaching and healing in Galilee provide the example and pattern for how to work. That pattern calls for faithfully working important centers such as Redlands, Riverside, and Loma Linda, sounding the last note of warning in all towns and cities without prolonged effort in any one place because very many have not yet heard, and for sharing His self-denial and sacrifices without promise of wage.