Matthew 4:13
Verse
Context
Sermons
Vance Havner
Bill McLeod
J. Glyn Owen
Harold Erickson
John Nelson Darby
John GillSummary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And leaving Nazareth--The prevalent opinion is that this refers to a first visit to Nazareth after His baptism, whose details are given by Luke (Luk 4:16, &c.); a second visit being that detailed by our Evangelist (Mat 13:54-58), and by Mark (Mar 6:1-6). But to us there seem all but insuperable difficulties in the supposition of two visits to Nazareth after His baptism; and on the grounds stated in Luk 4:16, &c., we think that the one only visit to Nazareth is that recorded by Matthew (Mat 13:53-58), Mark (Mar 6:1-6), and Luke (Luke 4:14-30). But how, in that case, are we to take the word "leaving Nazareth" here? We answer, just as the same word is used in Act 21:3, "Now when we had sighted Cyprus, and left it on the left, we sailed into Syria,"--that is, without entering Cyprus at all, but merely "sighting" it, as the nautical phrase is, they steered southeast of it, leaving it on the northwest. So here, what we understand the Evangelist to say is, that Jesus, on His return to Galilee, did not, as might have been expected, make Nazareth the place of His stated residence, but, "leaving for passing by Nazareth," he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the seacoast--maritime Capernaum, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee; but the precise spot is unknown. (See on Mat 11:23). Our Lord seems to have chosen it for several reasons. Four or five of the Twelve lived there; it had a considerable and mixed population, securing some freedom from that intense bigotry which even to this day characterizes all places where Jews in large numbers dwell nearly alone; it was centrical, so that not only on the approach of the annual festivals did large numbers pass through it or near it, but on any occasion multitudes could easily be collected about it; and for crossing and recrossing the lake, which our Lord had so often occasion to do, no place could be more convenient. But one other high reason for the choice of Capernaum remains to be mentioned, the only one specified by our Evangelist. in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim--the one lying to the west of the Sea of Galilee, the other to the north of it; but the precise boundaries cannot now be traced out.
John Gill Bible Commentary
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken,.... Christ's dwelling in Capernaum accomplished a prophecy of the prophet Isa 9:1 and he went and dwelt there, that it might be fulfilled which he had spoken: the meaning of which prophecy is (x), that as those parts of the land of Israel, there mentioned, had suffered much by Tiglathpileser, who had carried them captive, Kg2 15:29 and is "the vexation" referred to; so they should be honoured, and made very glorious, by the presence and conversation of the Messiah among them, and which now had its literal fulfilment: for Christ now came and dwelt in Capernaum, which lay between the lands and upon the borders both of Zabulon and Nephthalim; was situated by the sea of Tiberias, beyond Jordan, and in, "Galilee of the nations"; the upper Galilee, which had in it people of other nations besides Jews. The ancient Jews expected the Messiah to make his first appearance in Galilee; which expectation must be grounded on this prophecy; for so they say (y) expressly, "the king Messiah shall be revealed , "in the land of Galilee."'' And in another place (z) explaining Isa 2:19 they paraphrase it thus, ""for fear of the Lord"; this is the indignation of the whole world: and for the "glory of his majesty"; this is the Messiah; when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth, when he shall arise and be revealed , "in the land of Galilee": because that this is the first place to be destroyed in the holy land; therefore he shall be revealed there the first of all places.'' Here Jesus, the true Messiah, made his first appearance publicly; here he called his disciples, and began his ministry. (x) See my treatise upon the "Prophecies of the Messiah", &c. p. 147, &c. (y) Zohar in Gen. fol. 74. 3. (z) Ib. in Exod. fol. 3. 3. & 88. 3.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:13 Capernaum was in Galilee, a district viewed negatively by the religious establishment in Judea and Jerusalem (see John 1:46; 7:41-42, 52). Many Judeans considered Galileans to be uncultured, with a lazy command of the language (cp. Matt 26:73), a factor sometimes thought to affect the accuracy of their teachings. Galilee also had a proportionately larger Gentile population than Judea did.
Matthew 4:13
Jesus Begins His Ministry
12When 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:
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
A Judgement Is Coming
By Vance Havner4.3K31:05JudgementPRO 9:12MAT 4:13MAT 6:33MAT 11:16JHN 1:14JAS 1:22In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not just having access to the light of God's truth, but also actively engaging with it. He warns against the danger of being blinded by an excess of light, which can happen when people have access to the Bible and attend religious events but fail to truly obey its teachings. The preacher encourages listeners to open their eyes to the truth and not let the light of God's word go to waste. He also highlights the responsibility to repent when confronted with the light of truth, as well as the consequences of failing to do so. The sermon concludes with a reminder that civilization and spiritual growth require constant vigilance and effort.
Christ Is All - in Scripture
By Bill McLeod1.6K46:28Fulness Of ChristPSA 2:10PSA 40:7PSA 41:9MAT 1:21MAT 28:19MRK 14:62COL 3:11TIT 3:7PHM 1:1In this sermon, the speaker begins by referencing Mark 16 and Luke 1 from the Bible. He highlights how Jesus reproached his disciples for their lack of belief in his resurrection and then commanded them to preach the gospel to the world. The speaker also mentions that some versions of the Bible omit miracles and end with Jesus' death on the cross, portraying him as a good man and advocate of peace. However, the speaker emphasizes that the Bible is truly all about Jesus and explores the significance of his ministry and his role as the Son of God.
Model for Praying - Part 2
By J. Glyn Owen88851:41PrayingGEN 32:28EXO 20:7MAT 4:13JHN 3:172CO 5:172CO 5:20PHP 2:9In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the good news lies in the fact that Jesus is not just a teacher, but also empowers his disciples to practice what he teaches. The speaker highlights the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, explaining that Jesus' purpose was to save sinners while bringing honor and glory to God the Father. The sermon also touches on the importance of obeying God's commandments and not worshiping idols. Overall, the message emphasizes the need for salvation to bring glory to God and the importance of living in obedience to His teachings.
Understanding Our Salvation
By Harold Erickson76944:31HOS 6:6MAT 4:13MAT 6:33MAT 9:9MRK 2:14In this sermon, the preacher shares the story of James Gardner, a British soldier who lived a life of moral reckoning. Despite his repeated attempts to quit his sinful habits, he was unable to do so until he had a real experience of conversion and met Christ. Gardner testifies that he was completely cured of his sinful inclinations and desires, experiencing a transformation as if he were a little child. The preacher emphasizes that salvation is not a patchwork solution but a personal newness, using the illustrations of a new garment and new wine in new bottles. He concludes by reassuring the audience that becoming a Christian is not like entering a prison but rather a joyful experience that does not require giving up the joys of life.
Compared View of the First Three Gospels, Etc.
By John Nelson Darby0The GospelsChrist's MinistryMAT 1:1MAT 4:17MAT 5:1MAT 9:35MAT 11:28MAT 28:19MRK 1:14LUK 3:23LUK 4:18John Nelson Darby discusses the distinct characteristics and purposes of the first three Gospels, emphasizing that Mark presents a chronological account of Christ's service, while Matthew focuses on the presentation of Jesus as the Messiah and the implications of His rejection. He notes that Luke, while generally following Mark's order, includes moral teachings that are unique to his Gospel. Darby highlights the importance of understanding the genealogies and the context of Christ's ministry, particularly in relation to Israel's expectations and the establishment of the church. He concludes that the Gospels collectively reveal the nature of Christ's mission and the unfolding of God's plan for humanity.
The Sure Performance of Prophecy.
By John Gill0Fulfillment of ProphecyThe Kingdom of ChristISA 9:7MAT 4:13John Gill emphasizes the certainty of prophecy's fulfillment, particularly regarding the coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. He reflects on past prophecies that have been realized, such as Christ's ministry in Galilee, and argues that just as these have come to pass, so too will the remaining prophecies concerning the increase of Christ's government and the destruction of antichrist be fulfilled. Gill highlights the zeal of the Lord as the driving force behind these fulfillments, assuring believers of God's unwavering commitment to His promises. He encourages the congregation to trust in God's word and to remain steadfast in prayer as they await the complete realization of His prophecies.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And leaving Nazareth--The prevalent opinion is that this refers to a first visit to Nazareth after His baptism, whose details are given by Luke (Luk 4:16, &c.); a second visit being that detailed by our Evangelist (Mat 13:54-58), and by Mark (Mar 6:1-6). But to us there seem all but insuperable difficulties in the supposition of two visits to Nazareth after His baptism; and on the grounds stated in Luk 4:16, &c., we think that the one only visit to Nazareth is that recorded by Matthew (Mat 13:53-58), Mark (Mar 6:1-6), and Luke (Luke 4:14-30). But how, in that case, are we to take the word "leaving Nazareth" here? We answer, just as the same word is used in Act 21:3, "Now when we had sighted Cyprus, and left it on the left, we sailed into Syria,"--that is, without entering Cyprus at all, but merely "sighting" it, as the nautical phrase is, they steered southeast of it, leaving it on the northwest. So here, what we understand the Evangelist to say is, that Jesus, on His return to Galilee, did not, as might have been expected, make Nazareth the place of His stated residence, but, "leaving for passing by Nazareth," he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the seacoast--maritime Capernaum, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee; but the precise spot is unknown. (See on Mat 11:23). Our Lord seems to have chosen it for several reasons. Four or five of the Twelve lived there; it had a considerable and mixed population, securing some freedom from that intense bigotry which even to this day characterizes all places where Jews in large numbers dwell nearly alone; it was centrical, so that not only on the approach of the annual festivals did large numbers pass through it or near it, but on any occasion multitudes could easily be collected about it; and for crossing and recrossing the lake, which our Lord had so often occasion to do, no place could be more convenient. But one other high reason for the choice of Capernaum remains to be mentioned, the only one specified by our Evangelist. in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim--the one lying to the west of the Sea of Galilee, the other to the north of it; but the precise boundaries cannot now be traced out.
John Gill Bible Commentary
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken,.... Christ's dwelling in Capernaum accomplished a prophecy of the prophet Isa 9:1 and he went and dwelt there, that it might be fulfilled which he had spoken: the meaning of which prophecy is (x), that as those parts of the land of Israel, there mentioned, had suffered much by Tiglathpileser, who had carried them captive, Kg2 15:29 and is "the vexation" referred to; so they should be honoured, and made very glorious, by the presence and conversation of the Messiah among them, and which now had its literal fulfilment: for Christ now came and dwelt in Capernaum, which lay between the lands and upon the borders both of Zabulon and Nephthalim; was situated by the sea of Tiberias, beyond Jordan, and in, "Galilee of the nations"; the upper Galilee, which had in it people of other nations besides Jews. The ancient Jews expected the Messiah to make his first appearance in Galilee; which expectation must be grounded on this prophecy; for so they say (y) expressly, "the king Messiah shall be revealed , "in the land of Galilee."'' And in another place (z) explaining Isa 2:19 they paraphrase it thus, ""for fear of the Lord"; this is the indignation of the whole world: and for the "glory of his majesty"; this is the Messiah; when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth, when he shall arise and be revealed , "in the land of Galilee": because that this is the first place to be destroyed in the holy land; therefore he shall be revealed there the first of all places.'' Here Jesus, the true Messiah, made his first appearance publicly; here he called his disciples, and began his ministry. (x) See my treatise upon the "Prophecies of the Messiah", &c. p. 147, &c. (y) Zohar in Gen. fol. 74. 3. (z) Ib. in Exod. fol. 3. 3. & 88. 3.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:13 Capernaum was in Galilee, a district viewed negatively by the religious establishment in Judea and Jerusalem (see John 1:46; 7:41-42, 52). Many Judeans considered Galileans to be uncultured, with a lazy command of the language (cp. Matt 26:73), a factor sometimes thought to affect the accuracy of their teachings. Galilee also had a proportionately larger Gentile population than Judea did.