Matthew 4:12

12 Now when he heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew 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 saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

12 Now when he heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee;

13 and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali:

14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,