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 (see Mt.3:1 c.f. Mk.1:5). His preaching had upset king Herod, who had him arrested, and eventually beheaded (see Mt.14:1-5). Jesus had been baptized by John in the Jordan River at Judea. Jesus then retreated to the far northern tribal areas of Zebulun and Naphtali and then settled by the Sea of Galilee at Capernaum (see Mt.4:12-13). He was wise to avoid Herod, until He had accomplished His mission of making disciples.
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 (see Isa.9:1-2). The northern kingdom of Israel 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 (see Mt.15:24).