#30 Jesus preaches in Galilee

#30 Jesus preaches in Galilee

Introduction: As we continue in the 250 Events in the Life of Jesus, We see that Jesus left Judea, went through Samaria, met the woman at the well in events 27,28, 29 which was recorded in John chapter 4. Jesus’s Judean ministry lasted about a year. Jesus was rejected and harassed by the religious leaders in and around Jerusalem and so He was headed back to Galilee. Events 19-29 with a few exceptions, all took place between Mathew 4:11 and 12 and as mentioned before, took about a year.

The woman came carrying a burden, met Jesus, left her burden with Jesus and went and told everybody in town about Jesus. This is the same town that the disciples had just been to and did not tell anybody about Jesus. Jesus pointed out that fields were ripe for harvest but he workers are few.

It is somewhat ironic that Jesus was rejected in Jerusalem but was begged to stay with the Samaritans. Jesus stayed and taught for 2 days before continuing on His Journey.

King James Version Chapter 4

43 Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

Notice that Jesus identified with the prophets.

Main text.

King James Version Chapter 4

12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

The reason John was imprisoned is given in Mathew 14:3-4 NAS Study Bible.

Mathew 14:3-4

King James Version Chapter 14

3 For Herod ehad laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.

4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

It seems that Jesus took up where John left off. We looked briefly at John the Baptist being put in prison in event #26 .

Remember, none of the Gospels were written in chronological order. They were each written to a specific audience for an intended purpose. Even this Harmony of the Gospels has some trouble trying to put everything into chronological order.

The word “cast” into prison could be translated “delivered up” Similar to how Judas would betray Jesus (Mark 3:19)

4:12, 13 Jesus moved from Nazareth, his hometown, to Capernaum, about 20 miles farther north. Capernaum became Jesus' home base during his ministry in Galilee. Jesus probably moved (1) to get away from intense opposition in Nazareth, (2) to have an impact on the greatest number of people (Capernaum was a busy city, and Jesus' message could reach more people and spread more quickly), and (3) to utilize extra resources and support for his ministry. Life Application Study Bible.

Chronological note: In my opinion, event #32 Jesus is rejected in Nazareth. came first and then, He went to Capernaum.

It says in Luke's Gospel:

King James Version Chapter 4

14 nAnd Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

Mathew:

King James Version Chapter 4

13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

Capernaum was not mentioned in the OT. Peter’s house was there and became Jesus’s base of operations during Hid lengthy ministry in Galilee.

There is now a 5th century site over was was supposedly Peter’s house, and a 4th century Synagogue is nearby. NAS Study bible.

Jesus' move fulfilled the prophecy of , , which states that the Messiah would be a light to the land of Zebulun(Nazareth) and Naphtali (Capernaum), the region of Galilee where Capernaum was located. Zebulun and Naphtali were two of the original 12 tribes of Israel. Life Application Study Bible.

Many commentators believe that this is a reference to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. They immediately turned from God and embraced foreign idols and gods. All of their kings were evil and God sent judgement on them and they were conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BC. The Assyrians deported most of the people and then re-populated with people from other countries. That is why the Jews considered the people from that region as half breeds and considered them unclean. The capitol of the Northern Kingdom was Samaria.

Capernaum was a very racially mixed area. Not a real strong Jewish population such not as much resistance. It was along some major trade routes. It is also a place that many of what would become Apostles lived.

King James Version Chapter 4

14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

Here we have the new Testament referring back to the Old Testament. Remember that the Old testament is all that was available back then. All the greatest preachers in history (Jesus , Paul and Peter etc.) all preached the Gospel from the Old Testament.

King James Version Chapter 4

15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

This is somewhat of a quote of . At least the last half of the verse 1. Remember chapter and verse divisions are a fairly modern invention and while helpful, they are not inspired.

King James Version Chapter 4

16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

This is a somewhat of quote of .

King James Version Chapter 9

9:1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation,

When at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

And afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea,

Beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

2 The jpeople that walked in darkness have seen a great light:

They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

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Turn to . Notice that 9:1-7 is a Messianic prophecy. This prophecy is a prophecy of Hope. In Isaiah chapter 8, Isaiah is prophesying great Judgement on the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The Assyrian Empire will be the instrument that God used to judge the idolatrous Northern Kingdom.

King James Version Chapter 9

9:1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation,

When at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

And afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea,

Beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

2 The jpeople that walked in darkness have seen a great light:

They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

So, this was a great time of darkness for this area all the way up until the time of Jesus. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 years.

In the people walked in darkness, By the time of Jesus, they sat in darkness.

Notice that God promised to send the Light. Now in Mathew's gospel the Light has appeared.

Remember that John called Jesus the light in .

King James Version Chapter 1

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

4:14-16 By quoting from the book of Isaiah, Matthew continues to tie Jesus' ministry to the Old Testament. This was helpful for his Jewish readers, who were familiar with these Scriptures. In addition, it shows the unity of God's purposes as he works with his people throughout all ages. Life Application Study Bible.

King James Version Chapter 4

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

From that time, indicates a change taking place. This happens 3 times in Mathew’s Gospel, here, 16:221 and 26:16. NAS Study Bible

This is a familiar message, that was the same message of John the Baptist. Mathew 3:2. preaching did not take long back then.

Notice Mark 1:15-16

King James Version Chapter 1

14 lNow after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

What is this good news? John 3:16.

Repent: To change your mind. To turn from your sinful ways and turn to God

4:17 Jesus started his ministry with the same message people had heard John the Baptist say: "Repent of your sins." The message is the same today as when Jesus and John gave it. Becoming a follower of Christ means turning away from our self-centeredness and "self" control and turning our life over to Christ's direction and control. Life Application Study Bible.

Mark adds “believe the Gospel.” turn from your unbelief (repent) and believe in the gospel (Good news ) of Jesus Christ.

What is this good news? .

Repent: To change your mind. To turn from your sinful ways and turn to God.

THE NAS Study Bible says “Repentance is more than a change of mind or feeling sorry for ones sins. It is a radical and deliberate turning or returning to God that results in moral and ethical change and action.” NAS Study Bible page 1372.

4:17 The "Kingdom of Heaven" has the same meaning as the "Kingdom of God" in Mark and Luke. Matthew uses this phrase because the Jews, out of their intense reverence and respect, did not pronounce God's name. The Kingdom of Heaven is still near because it has arrived in our heart. See the note on 3:2 for more on the Kingdom of Heaven. Life Application Study Bible.

This phrase only occurs in Mathew and it occurs 32 times.

the Kingdom of heaven is the rule of God and in my opinion is a future hope. The idea of God’s Kingdom is central to Jesus’s teaching and is mentioned 50 times in Mathew alone. Adapted from NAS Study Bible.

Remember that the Nation of Israel was supposed to be a Theocratic Kingdom which means that God was supposed to rule. The people grumbled and complained and gave gave them Saul as a King which was a total failure. Then God chose David a man after God’s own heart. David made some huge mistakes but he admitted his mistakes and followed God even through some tough times. God promised that one day there would be a King from the line of David that would rule forever. Jesus, God’s Son was there offering Himself to the Nation of Israel to be their Theocratic King and once again get’s rejected. When Jesus returns he will rule and reign forever. Those that reject Him will spend eternity in hell.

Event #31 Jesus heals the Government official’s son. John 4:46-54.