Jesus Teaches the People, 4:12-17 (Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:14-15; John 4:43-45).
[12] It is not clear why the arrest of John caused Jesus to go away to Galilee. John was arrested by Herod Antipas because he had accused Herod of illegally marrying his half-brother’s wife (see Matthew 14:1-12). Herod Antipas also ruled in Galilee. The prophecy quoted from Isaiah may give another reason for Jesus’ going to Galilee (see Matthew 4:14-16).
[13] Jesus went to His old home in Nazareth but did not stay there (Luke 4:16-30). Capernaum was a town on the shore of Lake Galilee. Capernaum became the center of activity for Jesus in Galilee. The traditional lands of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali (Joshua 19:10-16, 32-39), two of the tribes of Israel, were in this area.
[14-16] Verse fourteen indicates that Jesus went to Galilee to fulfill a prophecy (Isaiah 9:1-2). Isaiah said that the light of salvation should come first to the region of Galilee. “Galilee of the nations” indicates that a large Gentile (non-Jewish) population lived in north Israel. There was a great need for a light from God and deliverance from the “fear of death.” Men are afraid of death. Jesus brought freedom from the fear of death (Matthew 16:21; 20:19; John 11:25; Romans 8:37-39, 1 Corinthians 15:51-56).
[17] Jesus, the Messiah, began to preach in Capernaum. His gospel of the kingdom of heaven was the light of salvation. His gospel was also the power to remove the fear of death. Death has always haunted man, even today. The power of the message of Jesus still removes the fear of death (John 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:50-57).
Jesus Calls Four Fishermen, 4:18-22 (Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11).
[18-20] Lake Galilee was the most important body of water in the area. The towns were near it. People fished in it. Jesus would naturally be near the lake. Jesus was a king, and yet He was a common, poor man. He wanted people to follow Him (to be His disciples). He chose common men and changed them into His great followers. These two brothers were neither educated nor rich. They knew how to work. They had been with Jesus before (John 1:35-42). He came to Galilee. Luke told how Jesus showed them His power at Galilee (Luke 5:1-11) while they were fishing. Jesus was so powerful that they followed Him immediately. He changed their lives. They would now catch men.
Matthew 4: 21-25
21 Jesus went farther and saw two more men. They were brothers—James and John—sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with Zebedee, their father, preparing their nets. Jesus called them also. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father to follow Jesus. 23 Jesus was going all around Galilee, teaching the Good News of the kingdom in their synagogues. Jesus was healing people of all types of diseases and sicknesses. 24 The news about Jesus went all over the land of Syria. They brought him all the people who were sick. These people had all kinds of diseases; they were suffering with much pain. Some of them had demons inside them. Some were epileptics and some were paralyzed. Jesus healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him, coming from the land of Galilee, from the area of the Ten Towns, from Jerusalem, from the land of Judea, and from the area across the Jordan River.
[21-22] James and John were most likely the men in the other boat (Luke 5:1-11). They were also poor men. They knew the power of Christ and wanted to follow Him. James and John were also known as the Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17).
Jesus Teaches the People and Heals Them, 4:23-25.
[23] Jesus’ work took Him everywhere. He wanted all the people of Galilee to know the Good News. Jesus went to the synagogue to study. The synagogue was the name of their meeting house. Jesus showed His power over all kinds of diseases. He brought the love and power of God to people.
[24] As this kind of news spread, it is no surprise that many people wanted to see Jesus. There was no disease that Jesus could not heal! Epilepsy is a disease that causes loss of muscular control and loss of consciousness. Jesus did bring good news!
[25] Because of Jesus’ power, people came from Galilee and from far away. The Ten Towns (literally Decapolis) were cities which were scattered over the east side of the Jordan in northern Palestine.
Matthew 5:1-10
5 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountain and sat down. His followers came to him. 2 This is what he started teaching them: 3 “The people who are broken in spirit are happy, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 4 The people who are crying now will be happy, because they will be comforted. 5 Humble people are happy, because the earth will be given to them. 6 People who are hungry and thirsty for what is right are happy, because they will be filled. 7 People who give mercy to others are happy, because they will receive mercy. 8 People who have pure hearts are happy, because they will see God. 9 People who make peace are happy, because they will be called the sons of God. 10 The people who have been persecuted because they were doing right are happy, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”