Matthew 4:12-17
Q.1. Where had John the Baptizer been ministering? Why did John stop his ministry? What made Jesus settle at Capernaum? – (Mt.4:12-13 c.f. Mt.4:1; 14:3-5)
John had been ministering down south in the wilderness of Judea (Mt.3:1 c.f. Mk.1:5). His preaching had upset king Herod, who had him arrested, and eventually beheaded (c.f. Mt.14:1-5). Jesus had been baptized by John in the Jordan at Judea. He then retreated to the northern tribal areas of Zebulun and Naphtali and settled by the Sea of Galilee at Capernaum (Mt.4:12-13). He was wise to avoid Herod, until He had a strong following.
Q.2. How was the retreat of Jesus to Galilee explained? Why were the Gentiles mentioned? What made the ministry of Jesus so dramatic? – (Mt.4:14-17 c.f. Mt.3:2)
Matthew saw this as a fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah (Isa.9:1-2). The northern kingdom never recovered spiritually from its idolatry and captivity hundreds of years before, and many Gentiles had settled there as Isaiah had predicted – 1 … but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. 2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them (Isa.9:1-2 c.f. Mt.4:15-16). The coming of the Light was to make a massive impact. As John the Baptizer did, Jesus preached – Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Mt.4:17 c.f. Mt.3:2). This announcement would gain much attention and create expectation amongst the people. Jesus certainly went to the ‘lost sheep of the house of Israel’, right from the beginning (c.f. Mt.15:24)