Matthew 4:12

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and 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 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ”

11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.

14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah: