#1214 Matthew 4 Part 2 Galilee of the Gentiles

 

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

16 the people dwelling in darkness

have seen a great light,

and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,

on them a light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 Matthew 4: 12-17 ESV

Matthew 4: 12-17

Now when - Now when is an important expression of time. Why so? Because by comparing the events in the beginning of the Gospel of John it is apparent that all three Synoptic writers bypass the events that transpire during the first year of Jesus' ministry. In other words between Matthew 4:11 and Matthew 4:12 there is TIME GAP of from 12-14 months of Jesus' EARLY MINISTRY, a period which is omitted from THE Gospel of Matthew (see note below). You may read in some commentaries that this period was referred to as THE YEAR OF OBSCURITY (See study by S Lewis Johnson - The Messiah's Year of Obscurity). Stalker writes that if we did not have "John 1:19-3:36 we should know nothing of the "year of obscurity." .Jesus may have been "obscure" (during this time in the Synoptic Gospels) but He was not inactive (in John's Gospel)! We see this period described by John from about John 1:19 through John 4:44, 45. It is also known as the Early Judean ministry for most of the events occurred in Judea the province in which Jerusalem is located (See map). Note however that some of the events in John 1:19-4:54 took place in Samaria and even Galilee. We see a similar TIME GAP in Luke's and Mark's Gospel between Jesus Baptism and Temptation and the beginning of His ministry in Galilee - see Mk 1:13+ and Mark 1:14+, Luke 4:13+ and Luke 4:14+ - Precept Austin

Now when He heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee - So there is a gap between verses 11 and 12, as discussed above, much of which is filled in for us in the gospel of John, but I am going to move on with this text, and cover the year of obscurity when I get to John, but there may be mention of it throughout these first 3 Synoptic gospels. When it mentions John in this verse, it is the Baptist, who was arrested for telling it like it is. He spoke out against a king who was involved in an adulterous relationship with his brother Phillip's wife, who he took for his own, and an incestuous relationship as well. That whole royal family was like the movie Deliverance, the gene pool was more like a gene puddle, so John confronted them with God's word. Herodias was the king's wife, and she didn't like John talking smack about her, so Herod had him thrown into prison.

It is always dangerous to confront evil, and John’s fearless condemnation of moral wickedness in high places led to his being beheaded. With similar bravery John Knox of Scotland stood ground against a corrupt monarchy. Standing before the repressive and corrupt Queen Mary, who had just rebuked him for resisting her authority, he said, “If princes exceed their bounds, madam, they may be resisted and even deposed.” (MacArthur)

…15You must not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; you are not to have sexual relations with her. 16You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother. 17You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter and have sexual relations with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved.… Leviticus 18: 15-17

…18With these and many other exhortations, John proclaimed the good news to the people. 19But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done, 20Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.… Luke 3: 18-20

…29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must increase; I must decrease. 31The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all.… John 3: 29-31

Galilee of the gentiles - The land of Galilee, known for it's prominent feature, the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias and the Sea of Chinnereth. It is also a very fertile place, able to sustain a great multitude of people. It is also referred to here as Zebulun and Naphtali, who were sons of Jacob, and these were their tribal lands, lands which they did not drive the gentiles from. Zebulun means "dwelling" and Naphtali means "wrestling". It is interesting that Christ takes His ministry here, to a place looked down upon by the Jews for being very blended, probably gentile by majority. They showed Him little esteem for coming from Nazareth, and now He will minister in an area filled with gentiles and Jews that are looked down upon by those in Jerusalem.

The soil was extremely fertile, and the lake furnished great quantities of edible fish. The Jewish historian Josephus, who at one time was governor of Galilee, said of the area, “It is throughout rich in soil and pasture, producing every variety of tree, and inviting by its productivity even those who have the least inclination for agriculture. It is everywhere tilled and everywhere productive” (The Wars of the Jews 3. 3.2). The Jews who lived in Galilee were less sophisticated and traditional than those in Judea, especially those in the great metropolis of Jerusalem. Josephus observed that Galileans “were fond of innovations and by nature disposed to change, and they delighted in seditions.” They even had a distinct accent in their speech (Matt. 26:73). The Galilean Jews’ constant association with Gentiles contributed greatly to their nontraditional character. (Matthew Commentary)

The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light - Where there is no light, even a small candle shines brightly. It is easier to focus on the one light, the true light, when there is no artificial or distorted light around. There were no sages and great theologians in Galilee, that area was not known for that. The people were poor, they were hard working and innovative in their means, not greatly educated, somewhat superstitious, yet there were some that were humble and devout, unknown to the religious elite living in Jerusalem. In Jerusalem was the highly regarded, the scribes and Pharisees, those with the temple and word available to them, yet they kept men from entering and they perverted the truth. 

There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death,

Prisoners in misery and chains,

11 Because they had rebelled against the words of God

And spurned the counsel of the Most High.

12 Therefore He humbled their heart with labor;

They stumbled and there was none to help.

13 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;

He saved them out of their distresses.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death

And broke their bands apart. Psalm 107: 10-14

1Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. 3Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.… Isaiah 60: 1-3

I am an infectious disease expert and have seen the powerful effect of a vaccination (for example years ago, the polio vaccine), the effect being to keep one from contracting the real disease. This same dynamic unfortunately works in spiritual matters, for the Jews of Jerusalem had "vaccination" which made it difficult for them to receive the "real disease" (in a good sense of course), the purity of the Gospel. The same is true of many religions today that practice rituals and extra-Biblical routines and beliefs, which in effect serve to make them "immune" to the true Gospel. The most difficult people for me to share the Gospel with are those who in this category of religious but without a relationship with Christ, for they think their religion will guarantee a place in Heaven but they are tragically deceived and there are millions and millions of them in the United States! - Quoted from Precept Austin commentary on Matthew 4

John writes about this spiritual darkness - "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." (1 John 1:6+). Then John gives the antidote for spiritual darkness "but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7+). - Precept Austin 

Jesus began preaching - Proclaiming the Word of God, and the best are those that say what God has already said, that bring you back to the authority of  Scripture, that give the context, the whole counsel of God, not looking for audience approval, but saying what will save.

…20Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom,… 1 Corinthians 1: 20-22

Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand - Here was "God with us", preaching to the people, telling them to turn from their sin.

14After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. 15 “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” 16As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.… Mark 1: 14-16

The command "About Face" is describes the act of pivoting 180 degrees, especially in a military formation. Another English definition says it is "a reversal of direction, of attitude, behavior, or point of view." This is a good picture of repentance that Jesus commands. Jesus continues the call to repentance made by John in Mark 1:4+.

Jesus began to preach and say - The verb began (archo) literally means to be first and in the middle voice means to begin or start and thus calls attention to the "special" status or importance of what follows (the primacy of preaching!) Preach is in the present tense which indicates Jesus was beginning a continuous action, specifically beginning the proclaiming of the Good News of the Kingdom (While we will not all be formal preachers, we should still be proclaimers of the Good News like our Master Teacher for we are enabled by the same Spirit Who enabled Him! cf Mt 4:1+, Lk 4:14+, 1 Pe 2:21+. See Walking Like Jesus Walked) Notice that the focus is on Jesus preaching the Word, not on performing wonders (miraculous healings, etc). Men are saved only by the Word, not by seeing miraculous works. John 12:37 says "But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him." There is however one miracle Jesus performed that did effect genuine belief. John records "So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken." (Jn 2:22+) Of course that miracle is one every true believer believes, having seen it with eyes of faith, not sight (in contrast to the many signs Jesus performed while on earth). - Precept Austin

…26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.… Acts 20: 26-28