The firstfruits of popular enthusiasm. As on Christ's call a few followed him ( Matthew 4:20-22 ), so after his circuit in Galilee did crowds, from all parts of the Holy Land, also follow him ( Matthew 4:25 ), though less immediately and devotedly. As to these verses (23-25), notice— read more
The Galilaean ministry. Three things are here described in regard to the Galilaean ministry of our Lord—the work of Christ; the popular fame; and the consequent conduct of the people. I. THE WORK OF CHRIST . 1 . It was itinerant. John the Baptist stayed in the wilderness, while the people flocked to him; Jesus went about among the people, seeking them. Thus we see his sociability, his graciousness of spirit, and his desire to include many in the blessings he brought. 2 ... read more
Early omens of the triple genius and functions of Christianity. These three verses compress all the matter of three volumes, let the volumes be the largest that ever were. Or, again, they suggest to what periods of time, and to what devotion of labour in the life of Christ on earth, the paradoxical language of such a passage as John 21:25 looks not in vain for its ample justification. We have in the present verses the statement of what may be well regarded as early omens of the future... read more
The ministry of Jesus. Though he had called out workers he did not cease himself to work. In all holy ministries Jesus is the Worker. He exercised his personal ministry chiefly in "Galilee." This was in pursuance of prophecy ( Isaiah 9:1-7 ). I. HIS GOSPEL CAME IN WORD . "Teaching … preaching." 1 . He taught in synagogues. 2 . He preached in the open air. (a) "The kingdom." That with which no earthly kingdom can compare. Supreme in splendour. Destined to... read more
And his fame ; Revised Version, and the report of him ( ἡἀκοὴ αὐτοῦ ). Our use of the word "fame" implies reputation and honour, which are not included under ἀκοή . Went throughout all ( Matthew 4:23 ) Syria ; Revised Version, went forth into ; ἀπῆλθεν εἰς . The expression not merely means that the report spread far and wide, but that it went beyond the expected limits of the Holy Land into the whole of Syria, i.e. , probably, the Roman province with which... read more
The mention of the multitudes here serves as a transition to the sermon on the mount. The description of the con stituent paris of the multitudes is very similar to that found in Mark 3:7 , Mark 3:8 , and is probably derived from the same source, Mark preserving in most respects the fuller form. Great multitudes ; ὄχλοι πολλοί (not "many multitudes," but as plural of ὄχλος πολύς , Matthew 20:29 ); almost ( Luke 5:15 ) peculiar to this Gospel ( Matthew 8:1 , where see... read more
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit - Led up by the Spirit. Luke says Luke 4:1 that Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit;” and it was by his influence, therefore, that he went into the desert to be tempted. It was not done by presumption on the part of Jesus, nor was it for a mere display of his power in resisting temptation; but it was evidently that it might be seen that his holiness was such that he could not be seduced from allegiance to God. When the first Adam was created he was subjected... read more
Had fasted - Abstained from food.Forty days and forty nights - It has been questioned by some whether Christ abstained wholly from food, or only from the food to which he was accustomed. Luke says Luke 4:2 that he ate nothing. This settles the question. Mark says Mark 1:13 that angels came and ministered unto him. At first view this would seem to imply that he did eat during that time. But Mark does not mention the time when the angels performed this office of kindness, and we are at liberty to... read more
The tempter - The devil, or Satan. See Matthew 4:1.If thou be the Son of God - If thou art God’s own Son, then thou hast power to work a miracle, and here is a suitable opportunity to try thy power, and show that thou art sent from God.Command that these stones ... - The stones that were lying around him in the wilderness. No temptation could have been more plausible, or more likely to succeed, than this. He had just been declared to be the Son of God Matthew 3:17, and here was an opportunity... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:23
The healing mission of Jesus. The excitement produced in the East by the occasional visits of a hakim, or physician, effectively explain the scenes described in our Lord's life, but seem very strange to us, and very difficult to realize. Dean Stanley has the following note: "It was after a walk through the village of Ehden, beneath the mountain of the cedars, that we found the stairs and corridors of the castle of the Maronite chief, Sheikh Joseph, lined with a crowd of eager applicants,... read more