Skip to main content

Jesus’ Galilean Ministry (Mt. 4:12-17)

'When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Mt. 4:12-17).”'

Jesus moved to Capernaum in Galilee after John the Baptist was imprisoned.  From Capernaum Jesus could easily move freely to other neighboring territories if necessary because his mission was just beginning and being arrested at that time was not God’s plan.  Matthew believed that Isaiah’s prophesy was fulfilled in Jesus.  Galilee was the first region to hear Jesus’ preaching about the Kingdom of God.  The people who sat in darkness were both Jews and Gentiles.  The people were suffering, and Jesus had come to preach the good news of the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven which is the light that will lead the lost and the suffering out of darkness.  

Almighty God, the doors to your kingdom were thrown open by the willing sacrifice of your Son, and it is through your Son that we can enter.  Grant us your grace that we may be led from darkness to light and be made worthy of the promise of eternal life.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

__________________________________

References:

Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.

Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.

Comments