Chapter

Matthew 12:15

ESV Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all
NIV Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.
NASB But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all,
CSB Jesus was aware of this and withdrew. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them all.
NLT But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them,
KJV But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
NKJV But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.

What does Matthew 12:15 mean?

Jesus was aware the Pharisees were conspiring together to destroy Him (Matthew 12:14). They wanted Jesus dead. Their options were limited, because they could not enforce a death penalty while under Roman rule. They would need the Roman authorities to charge Jesus. The other obstacle faced by the Pharisees was that Jesus was enormously popular with the people. They had to be careful not to lose the loyalty of the people by acting too openly against Him.

For now, in keeping with God's timeline (John 2:4; 12:23), Jesus moves away from the heat of the Pharisees' wrath. In this moment, He will choose to avoid further conflict. He has more work to do before His time comes to be arrested and killed by the Romans (John 12:32–34).

Jesus may have moved away from the Pharisees, but He did not escape the crowds of people that continually followed Him. This makes sense. Not only were they drawn to His powerful and authoritative teaching, Jesus "healed them all." In this phase of His ministry, Jesus healed anyone who came to Him with any disease, affliction, or demon oppression. He was fulfilling His mission of demonstrating to Israel the power of God in the form of the Messiah.
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