Matthew 4:12-17·~1 min
Jesus Begins His Ministry
When Jesus hears of John’s imprisonment, he goes to Galilee and lives in Capernaum by the sea. Matthew links this move to Isaiah’s words about light rising in darkened territory, then shows Jesus beginning to preach repentance because the kingdom of heaven is near.
W12hen Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee. 13Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 15“Land of Zebulun 16the people living in darkness 17From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Section summaryAfter John’s imprisonment, Jesus withdraws to Galilee, settles in Capernaum, and stands where Isaiah’s light for the darkened land is fulfilled. From that point, his preaching begins with a clear summons to repent because the kingdom of heaven is near.
Role in the chapterThis movement places Jesus in Galilee and marks the beginning of his public proclamation.