Matthew 4:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

NIV: From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'

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

CSB: From then on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near."

NLT: From then on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. '

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

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

Matthew emphasizes in this verse that Jesus' ministry became entirely established after His move to Capernaum. He fully embraced the mission the Father had given to Him and began to preach to the people of Israel. Matthew shows that Jesus' ministry began in earnest after the arrest of John the Baptist.

Jesus' preaching ministry begins with the same essential message as John the Baptist: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 3:1–2). There is a difference, though. John preached that message to Israel as the one who prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah. He called the people to get ready, before the Messiah arrived and established the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus preached the same message, but He did so as the Messiah Himself. He called people to repent, but He would also call them to submit to and follow Him as the Son of God. Both John and Jesus emphasized that people cannot participate in God's kingdom without first repenting of their sins, changing the course of their lives to follow the way of Christ.

Matthew 4:12–17 shows Jesus' travel and ministry in Capernaum, on the Sea of Galilee. This fulfills another ancient prophecy about the Messiah, found in Isaiah 9:1–2. Scriptures promised a great light would dawn in the region once occupied by the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, near the Sea of Galilee. Once thought of as ''dark'' because of its nearness to the Gentile nations and distance from Jerusalem, Galilee is the region in which the light of the Messiah will first shine brightly.

Matthew 3 ended with the Holy Spirit coming to rest on Jesus following His baptism. Now the Spirit leads Him into the wilderness to endure tempting by the devil after 40 days of fasting. Jesus demonstrates His sinlessness by resisting all temptations. He begins His ministry in the region of Galilee, settling in Capernaum and calling some disciples to follow Him. Jesus' work in Galilee includes traveling from place to place, proclaiming the good news that the kingdom of heaven is near and healing every kind of affliction. He soon becomes famous, drawing huge crowds from great distances.

Matthew 3 ends with a great affirmation from the voice of God the Father: Jesus is His Son. Immediately after that, God's Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness for a time of temptation by the devil. Jesus passes that test and then begins His ministry in the region of Galilee. Jesus begins to call His disciples and travel around the region. He teaches in the synagogues and heals people with every kind of affliction. Jesus' fame grows quickly. This provides Him a large audience for the Sermon on the Mount, which Matthew begins to record in chapter 5.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 5/1/2024 8:59:43 PM