Sermon Tone Analysis

Galileans

People • Residence Group

The residents of Galilee.

Also: Galilean

Key Article

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Galileans from The Lexham Bible Dictionary

GALILEANS A people group that inhabited the northernmost portion of Palestine—stretching north to south from Syria to Samaria, and west to east from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee—at the time of the Roman Empire (Strange, “Galilee,” 391).

The region as it stood in the Roman era may be divided into three sections:

1. Upper Galilee;

2. the middle Beth Netofah Valley;

3. Lower Galilee.

The name “Galilee” comes from the Hebrew word for “territory” or “circuit” (גָּלִיל, galil).

The diverse and active political history of Galilee complicates attempts to trace its inhabitants’ line of descent.

Even biblical traditions differ, at times calling the inhabitants Gentiles (Isa 9:1), other times simultaneously dubbing them both foreigners and Israelites (Ezek 47:21–23; 1 Maccabees 5:1–15).

They may have descended from northern Israelites, Assyrian colonists, peasants from other countries who were relocated by Assyria, Judaeans from the south, or some combination of these groups (Strange, “Galilee,” 392).

Biblical Relevance

The region of Galilee and its inhabitants play a major role in the Gospels and Acts.

According to the Gospel of Matthew, the advent of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee fulfills Scripture (Matt 4:12–17), and His first disciples

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Key Passages

Is 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.

Mt 4:12–18

Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,…

Mk 15:41

(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

Lk 4:14

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

Jn 2:1–11

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to…

Jn 7:41–52

Others said, This is the Christ.

But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Beth-lehem, where David was?

So there was a division among the people because of him.

And some of them…

passages in KJV 1900

Luke 13:1 13 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish