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Matthew 4

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

What does Matthew 4:23 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 4:23 describes a pivotal period in Jesus’ ministry where He is actively engaged in three distinct activities: teaching, preaching, and healing.

Teaching refers to sharing knowledge and wisdom, often in a more formal, instructional format.

Here, Jesus is teaching in the synagogues, which are Jewish places of assembly for scripture study and prayer.

Preaching the gospel of the kingdom implies proclaiming the good news that God’s sovereign rule is at hand and that it brings redemption and transformation to those who accept it.

Lastly, Jesus is described as healing "all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people," showcasing His divine power and compassion for the suffering.

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Historical Context

During the time this verse was written, Galilee was a region in ancient Israel with a mixed population of Jews and Gentiles and a variety of cultural and religious influences.

Synagogues were central to community life for the Jewish people, serving as places for worship and education.

The reference to Galilee signifies the early phase of Jesus' ministry, which would eventually spread beyond this region.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Matthew 4:23 is rich with implications.

It shows Jesus fulfilling roles as a teacher, a prophet, and a healer. This is significant because it identifies Him as a multifaceted Messiah who not only rescues people spiritually but also addresses their physical and intellectual needs.

From a Christian perspective, the teaching and preaching of Jesus represent the revelation of divine will and the offer of salvation, while His healing miracles are seen as a foretaste of the eschatological hope of a world free from pain and suffering.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire believers to integrate their faith into all dimensions of life, including intellectual, spiritual, and physical.

In a modern context, it might motivate Christians to seek and provide education, share their faith actively, and engage in acts of compassion, such as caring for the sick and supporting medical initiatives.

Cross-References

Luke 4:43: "And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent."
Matthew 9:35: "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."
Isaiah 61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;"

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek include:

"teaching" (διδάσκων - didaskōn): To teach or instruct.
"preaching" (κηρύσσων - kēryssōn): To proclaim or herald, particularly the announcement of good news.
"gospel" (εὐαγγέλιον - euangelion): Good news or glad tidings, often referring to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
"kingdom" (βασιλείᾳ - basileia): Kingship, sovereignty, authority, or realm; often interpreted as the reign or realm of God.
"healing" (θεραπεύων - therapeuōn): To cure, heal, or restore to health.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient cultures, Jewish synagogues served not only as places of worship but also as community centers for learning. In this sense, Jesus' actions align with Jewish traditions of communal teaching.

In contrast to some ancient myths where deities may be depicted as distant or uninvolved, Jesus is presented as a God who is actively engaged in the wellbeing of humanity.

Scientific Perspectives

While contemporary scientific understandings of disease and sickness emphasize biological processes and treatments, the miraculous healing events described in the Bible do not have direct scientific analogs.

The healing acts of Jesus are thus viewed by believers as supernatural interventions by God.

commentaries

Many biblical scholars and theologians view Matthew 4:23 as a summary statement of Jesus' early ministry.

According to the "IVP New Testament Commentary Series," this passage highlights Jesus' ministry as one that fulfills Old Testament expectations of the Messiah, who brings healing and restoration.

The "MacArthur New Testament Commentary" likewise sees this verse as an encapsulation of Jesus' compassionate ministry to both the bodies and souls of people, indicating His divine authority and messianic identity.

Matthew 4

Matthew 4

What does Matthew 4:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 4:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?