Matthew 4:12

12 But when Jesus had heard that John was taken, he went into Galilee.

Matthew 4:12 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 4:12

Now, when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison,
&c.] John was cast into prison by Herod; the reason of it may be seen in ( Matthew 14:3 Matthew 14:4 ) . The prison into which he was cast, according to Josephus ^F19, was the castle of Machaeras: here he continued some time before he was put to death; for from hence he sent two disciples to Jesus, to know if he was the Messiah, ( Matthew 11:2 ) . Now when Jesus heard of this his imprisonment,

he departed into Galilee;
not so much on account of safety, or for fear of Herod, but to call his disciples, who lived in that country.

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 Antiq. l. 18. c. 7.

Matthew 4:12 In-Context

10 Then Jesus said to him, Go, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship thy Lord God [for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God], and to him alone thou shalt serve.

11 Then the fiend left him [Then the devil left him]; and lo! angels came nigh, and served to him.

12 But when Jesus had heard that John was taken, he went into Galilee.

13 And he left the city of Nazareth, and came [And the city of Nazareth left, he came], and dwelt in the city of Capernaum, beside the sea, in the coasts [in the ends] of Zabulon and Nephthalim,

14 that it should be fulfilled, that was said by Esaias, the prophet, saying,