Matthew 8

I. Jesus’ departure from Judea and return to Galilee

A. Jesus left Judea. Matthew 4:12, Mark 1:14, Luke 3:19-20, John 4:1-4

1. Matthew 4:12 – John the Baptizer’s imprisonment prompted Jesus to depart Judea and go to Galilee.

2. Luke 3:19-20 – Herod the Tetrarch (ruler) of Galilee imprisoned John because he boldly criticized Herod’s adulterous marriage to his brother’s wife.

3. Mark 1:14 – Jesus did not fear going to Galilee. Herod did not intimidate Him.

4. John 4:1-3– Jesus went to Galilee to avoid a premature showdown with the Pharisees.

5. Culture Note

a) The Jewish religious leaders used a two stage investigation to evaluate the many who claimed to be Messiah.

1) In the observation stage, they sent a delegation to watch but not question the claimant and report back to the council in Jerusalem, which then made a judgment about the legitimacy of the claim.

2) In the interrogation stage, if the council had judged the claim legitimate, they questioned the claimant and raised objections.

b) An understanding of this two stage process clarifies the actions of the religious leaders in the lives of both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.

c) Christ left Judea to postpone the Pharisees’ challenges.

6. John 4:4 – No Jew chose to travel through Samaria, but the Father desired that Jesus go there.

a) The Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC resulted in the deportation of over 30,000 Israelites. 2 Kings 17:24-37

b) Pagan captives from throughout the Assyrian empire replaced the deported Israelites. 2 Kings 17:3-23

c) The Samaritans were the descendants of these pagan colonists. 2 Kings 17:29

d) When the Jews returned from Babylon, the Samaritans attempted to merge their false beliefs with the truth, but Zerubabbel and Joshua stood against them and for the truth. Ezra 4:1-3

e) The Samaritan’s evil reaction to Zerubabbel and Joshua established bad relations between the two groups that continued into Jesus’ day. Ezra 4:4-5

B. Capernaum headquarters – Matthew 4:13-17

1. Matthew 4:13 – Capernaum, a centrally located city with a large population of Jews and Gentiles, was a crossroads for great caravans going from Egypt to Damascus.

2. Matthew 4:14 – Matthew quoted Isaiah 9:1 to show Jesus’ reason for making Capernaum in Galilee His headquarters. …He shall make it glorious…

3. Matthew 4:15-16 – The Light dawning reflected Jesus’ ministry to drive out darkness just as the rising sun does each morning.

4. Matthew 4:17 – Matthew summarized Jesus’ message. “Change your minds about Me now!”