Matthew 4:12

12 When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to 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 Jesus' refusal was curt: "Beat it, Satan!" He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."

11 The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus' needs. Teaching and Healing

12 When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee.

13 He moved from his hometown, Nazareth, to the lakeside village Capernaum, nestled at the base of the Zebulun and Naphtali hills.

14 This move completed Isaiah's sermon: