Matthew 12:15

15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from there; and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

Matthew 12:15 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 12:15

But when Jesus knew it
Their consultation against him, as he did, not by any discovery made to him by men, but as the omniscient God; he withdrew himself from thence; from the synagogue and city, where he was, to the sea of Galilee, and his disciples with him, as Mark observes; not through fear, but because his time was not yet come, that he must suffer and die for his people; he had some other work to do first, and therefore rightly and wisely provides for his safety. And great multitudes followed him; from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and from beyond Jordan; and were joined by another multitude of people, who came from about Tyre and Sidon, as Mark relates: so that his departure was not so very private; nor was he forsaken by the common people, though the Pharisees were so offended with him. And he healed them all; that stood in need of healing, as many as had plagues and unclean spirits; practising agreeably to his doctrine, that it was lawful to do good on the sabbath day, and to heal the bodies as well as the souls of men.

Matthew 12:15 In-Context

13 Then he said to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like the other.
14 Then the Pharisees went out and took council against him that they might destroy him.
15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from there; and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
16 and strictly charged them that they should not make him known;
17 so that it which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, who said,
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010