JESUS ' WITHDRAWAL INTO GALILEE . According to some commentators, a new section begins here; but probably these verses are still preliminary. Our Lord's activity does not begin till Matthew 4:17 . But now he withdraws to Galilee, settling in Capernaum, thus fulfilling prophecy. read more
Light in darkness. The end of John's work was the signal for the commencement of Christ's. Thus our Lord would appear to some as the successor of the Baptist. To a nearer view it seems that the completion of the preparation makes it fitting that the full advent of the kingdom should be manifested. I. CHRIST COMES TO PEOPLE SITTING IN DARKNESS . Here is the prophet's image—a land of gloom, its inhabitants seated disconsolately and helplessly, not having enough light to arise... read more
Light in darkness. The public work of Christ followed upon his temptation. "No man can be prepared for any deep vital work in the world who has not come through the devil's school" (Dr. Parker). Let no truth-seeker be dispirited by the severity of his temptations. Consider here— I. THE MELANCHOLY CONDITION OF THE CHRISTLESS . 1 . They sit in darkness. 2 . Their darkness is the " shadow of death. " II. THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST AS A SAVIOUR . ... read more
Call of the fishermen. I. THE OCCASION OF THE CALL . Driven from Nazareth, our Lord repaired to the busy western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Through this district ran the great caravan-roads; and several important towns gathered all kinds of tradesmen. Herod the tetrarch had his court in Tiberias. The valuable fishings in the lake gave employment to many. Courtiers, soldiers, tax-gatherers, watching the caravans and fisheries, fishermen, women reputable and disreputable, filled... read more
The beginning of our Lord's ministry. I. HE REMOVES TO CAPERNAUM . 1 . John was cast into prison. His ministry was ended; the Lord's begins. God continues his'servants' work; when one passes away, another takes his place; when the voice of one prophet is silenced, a greater follows, Each must work in faith while time is given; the work is not man's, but God's. He will fulfil it. His servants may seem to be laid aside and to be forgotten; he will carry on their work. He does not... read more
And leaving Nazareth . Finally as a place of residence. The form ναζαρά occurs only here and Luke 4:16 , which in itself well suits the opinion that Luke 4:16-30 is only a fuller account of this sojourn at Nazareth (cf. Weiss, ' Matthaus-Evang.'). He came and dwelt ; i.e. made his home in (cf. Matthew 2:23 ). Not as having a house of his own there, so that he could take shelter in it as of right (cf. Matthew 8:20 , "The foxes have holes," etc.); but probably settling his... read more
Get thee hence - These temptations, and this one especially, the Saviour met with a decided rebuke. This was a bolder attack than any which had been made before. The other temptations had been founded on an appeal to his necessities, and an offer of the protection of God in great danger; in both cases plausible, and in neither a direct violation of the law of God. Here was a higher attempt, a more decided and deadly thrust at the piety of the Saviour. It was a proposition that the Son of God... read more
Then the devil leaveth him - He left him for a time, Luke 4:13. He intended to return again to the temptation, and, if possible, to seduce him yet from God. Compare John 14:30; Luke 22:53. See the notes at Hebrews 12:4.The angels came and ministered - See the notes at Matthew 1:20. They came and supplied his wants and comforted him. From this narrative we may learn:(a) That no one is so holy as to be free from temptation, for even the Son of God was sorely tempted.(b) That when God permits a... read more
John was cast into prison - For an account of the imprisonment of John see Matthew 14:1-13.He departed into Galilee - See Matthew 2:22. The reasons why Jesus then went into Galilee were probably:Because the attention of the people had been much excited by John’s preaching, and things seemed to be favorable for success in his own ministry. It appeared desirable to have some one to second John in the work of reformation. It was less dangerous for him to commence his labors there than near... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12
Jesus as John's successor. The events in our Lord's life immediately following upon his temptation are exceedingly difficult to trace. There seems to have been a first ministry in Judaea, but the length of it is much disputed. Then a ministry in Galilee, which seems to have been begun before the news came of John's imprisonment. There is, therefore, a gap between verses 11 and 12 of this chapter. Matthew's general statements can be filled in from the more precise details of the other... read more