Did Jesus Really Say That? Teachings of Jesus [Part 3]

Introduction: The Significance of Galilee

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Galilee in the Bible

The region of Galilee is referred to 69 times in the Bible. Joshua brought the region of Galilee under Israelite domination when he defeated the Canaanite league led by Jabin (Josh 11:1–11). Four of the Israelite tribes were assigned to this area (Asher, Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali; Josh 19). The Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III invaded Galilee in 733 BC and captured a number of the major cities (2 Kgs 15:29). Israelite dominion over Galilee ended in 722 BC when Sargon II captured the capital city (2 Kings 17) and exiled the inhabitants of the region to Assyria. Galilee is prominent in the Gospels as the scene of Jesus’ childhood and much of His public ministry (Matt 2:22–23; 4:12, 23). Most of the 12 apostles were from the region of Galilee (John 1:44; Matt 4:18–21).

The culture, commerce, farming, and fishing business of the area formed the background for much of Jesus’ ministry, as his parables show (Mt 20:1–8; 21:33; Mk 4:3; Lk 13:6–9). The first three Gospels are largely occupied with Christ’s ministry in Galilee with much of it being spent around the Sea of Galilee. Most of his parables (19 of 32) were spoken here and the vast majority of his miracles (25 of 33) were performed in Galilee. Jesus received his greatest response in this region. The Sermon on the Mount was spoken in Galilee, and one of its mountains was the scene of the Lord’s transfiguration. Many of the women who followed Christ and ministered to him also came from here (Mt 27:55). Two of Christ’s most significant postresurrection appearances took place in Galilee (Mt 28:16–20; Jn 21:1–23), and one of Christ’s own titles, Jesus of Nazareth (Jn 1:45), identified him as a Galilean.

Holloman, H. W. (1988). Galilee, Galileans. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 836). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Galilean Ministry

Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 4:17; Luke 4:14-15 Beginning of Galilean

John 4:46-54 Healing at Cana

Luke 4:16-31 Nazareth and Preaching in the Synagogue

Poor- a person with few or no possessions (but not yet reduced to begging).

Captives- a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war or exile.

Blind- a person who is unable to see on account of impairment.

Oppressed- a person who has become weak or crushed in spirit.