The Beginning of Greatness

¹² When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He returned to Galilee. ¹³ Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. ¹⁴ This fulfilled what was said through the prophet Isaiah: ¹⁵ “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--¹⁶ the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” ¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near (has come).” ¹⁸ As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰ At once they left their nets and followed Him. ²¹ Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, ²² and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him. ²³ Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. ²⁴ News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures (epileptics), and the paralyzed, and He healed them. ²⁵ Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed Him. Matthew 4:12-25 (NIV)

After passing His test and temptation against evil (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus began His public ministry. Luke’s Gospel also adds that Jesus was filled with the power of Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14). As the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist has completed his work, and he must now decrease (Matthew 3:1-12). Jesus must increase (John 3:30). Jesus did not begin His public ministry in Jerusalem, but instead, He went into Galilee of the Gentiles as predicted by the prophet Isaiah (Matthew 4:12-16; see also Isaiah 9:1-2; Isaiah 42:6-7). Matthew has already shown that God’s Word controlled every detail of Jesus’ life (e.g., see Matthew 1:22-23; Matthew 2:17-18). Galilee was a mixed population of both Jews and Gentiles in northern Israel and stressed God’s desire for the universal outreach of the Gospel’s message to all people (Matthew 4:15; see also Matthew 28:19). In Galilee of the Gentiles, Jesus continued the urgent message began by John the Baptist: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (come)” (Matthew 4:17; see also Matthew 3:2). God’s sovereign rule and reign had now come with the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:23), and Jesus was calling people to turn to God.

Jesus moved from His hometown of Nazareth to Capernaum, a busy city in northern Israel (see Matthew 2:23; Matthew 4:12-13). Capernaum became Jesus’ headquarters during His public ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:13). Moreover, Jesus’ move also fulfilled Old Testament prophecy that states the Messiah will be a great Light to the world (Matthew 4:12-16; see also Isaiah 9:1-2; Isaiah 42:6-7; Luke 1:78-79; John 1:4-5, 9). Jesus spent most of His public ministry in Galilee of the Gentiles - a mixed population of both Jews and Gentiles (Matthew 4:15, 23).

Walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus called His first disciples, two fisherman brothers by the names of Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew (Matthew 4:18). Jesus told Peter and Andrew to “come, follow Me” and He would make them “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Evangelism was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry (see Matthew 28:18-20). At once, Peter and Andrew left their nets and followed Jesus (Matthew 4:20). Going further, Jesus saw two more brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John (Matthew 4:21). Once again, Jesus called out to James and John to follow Him, and the two brothers immediately left their boat, their father Zebedee, and followed Jesus (Matthew 4:22). As examples for all to obey Jesus’ calling, these four brothers followed Jesus without delay or hesitation. We too must obey and follow Jesus immediately when He calls. Jesus’ demand is urgent: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (come)” (Matthew 4:17).

How did Jesus bring His Light into the world? Jesus’ public ministry involved three important tasks: teaching, preaching, and healing (Matthew 4:23; see also Matthew 9:35; Matthew 11:1, 4-5; Matthew 12:15; Matthew 13:54; Matthew 14:34-36; Matthew 15:30-31; Matthew 19:2). During His ministry, Jesus taught the people and proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom. Also, Jesus healed every physical, emotional, and spiritual disease and affliction (Matthew 4:23). He healed those who were ill with various diseases, suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures (epileptics), and paralysis (Matthew 4:24). Nothing could withstand the presence and power of Jesus’ healing! At Jesus’ first advent, Jesus’ healing of every disease and affliction gave an amazing foretaste of the age to come (see 1 Corinthians 15:42-43; Philippians 3:21). When Jesus’ returns and finalizes His earthly Kingdom, Jesus will make all things new, wipe away every tear from our eyes, and heal all our afflictions and pain (Revelation 21:4). Our momentary sorrows will turn into joy and dancing (John 16:20).

With His teaching, preaching, and healing, Jesus’ fame grew and large crowds from Syria, Galilee, the Decapolis (Ten-Cities), Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed Him (Matthew 4:24-25). Jesus was reaching the nations in Galilee of the Gentiles! 

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Ross, Mark E. Let’s Study Matthew (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).