Matthew 4:12-16, Jesus Begins his Ministry

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum, by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”

Comments

Jesus’ move north to Galilee began a new phase in his ministry as he disassociated himself from John the Baptist, changing from a ministry of baptism to itinerant preaching and miraculous healing.

Matthew reworded Isaiah 9:1-2, changing “Galilee of the nations” to “Galilee of the Gentiles.” Successive movements of people into northern Israel had created a predominately Gentile, multi-ethnic area. By rewording Isaiah, Matthew justified the Messiah’s emergence in Galilee.

Application/Reflection

Houston is the most diverse city in the United States. Census data show 145 different languages are spoken with 48% of the population speaking a language at home other than English. At SJD we embrace this by offering our English as a Second Language classes to some 150 students.

Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus welcoming diversity, tearing down the walls that divided people. By embracing our new neighbors, we follow the path of Jesus, who consistently embraced those on the outside.

Prayer

Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(BCP, p. 255)