After facing and defeating Satan, Jesus learned John the
Baptist was in prison. He left for Galilee.
He came to Capernaum, where he dwelt. Matthew tells us
Capernaum “which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and
Nephthalim” (Matthew 4:13). Matthew tells us this fulfilled a prophecy by
Isaiah.
“Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her
vexation, when[1] at the first he lightly
afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more
grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the
nations.
“The people that walked in darkness[2]
have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined” (Isaiah 9:1-2).
He begins His ministry, preaching to the people, telling
them to “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand [GR has come]” (Matthew
4:17).
“The doctrine of repentance is much broader than a
dictionary’s definition. When Jesus said ‘repent,’ His disciples recorded that
command in the Greek language with the verb metanoeo.
This powerful word has great significance. In this word, the prefix meta means ‘change.’ The suffix relates
to four important Greek terms: nous,
meaning ‘the mind’; gnosis, meaning ‘knowledge’;
pneuma, meaning ‘spirit’; and pnoe, meaning ‘breath.’
“Thus, when Jesus said ‘repent,’ He asked us to change – to
change our mind, knowledge, and spirit – even our breath. A prophet explained
that such a change in one’s breath is to breathe with grateful acknowledgment
of Him who grants each breath.” (emphasis in original)[3]
As He was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two
fishermen, Simon Peter and Andrew, his brother. He called to them, telling them
to follow Him, he would make them fisher of men.[4]
There was no hesitation. “[T]hey straightway left their
nets, and followed him” (Matthew 4:20). “We have the opportunity to act
straightway, immediately, and decisively, just as Peter and Andrew did: ‘they
forsook their nets, and followed him. We too are called upon to leave our nets,
to reject worldly habits, customs, and traditions.”[5]
After calling Peter and Andrew, he saw the brothers James,
son of Zebedee, and John. They were mending nets when He called them to follow
Him. Like Peter and James, “they immediately left the ship and their father,
and followed him” (Matthew 4:22).
“The spirit of our Lord’s invitation to the young truth
seekers, Andrew and John, is manifest in a similar privilege extended to all.
The man who would know Christ must come to Him, to see and hear, to feel and
know. Missionaries may carry the good tidings, the message of the gospel, but
the response must be an individual one. Are you in doubt as to what that
message means today? Then come and see for yourself. Would you know where
Christ is to be found? Come and see.”[6]
After calling His first four apostles, Jesus preached in all
around Galilee, preaching “the gospel of the kingdom.” He taught in their
synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom. He also healed “all manner of
sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matthew 4:23).[7]
Matthew tells us “his fame went throughout all Syria”
(Matthew 4:24). People brought their sick, those who were possessed by devils,
all other ailments. They were all healed by Him.
A multitude began to follow Him. They came from Galilee, Decapolis,
Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond Jordan.
[1] Rabbinical commentators relate this to the attacks by
Assyria under Tiglath-pileser and Sargon Ⅱ.
[2]
The “dimness” and “darkness” were apostasy and captivity (Isa. 8:20–22);
the “great light” is Christ The “dimness” and “darkness” were apostasy and
captivity (Isa. 8:20–22);
the “great light” is Christ.
[4]
“And he saith unto them, I am he of whom it is written by the prophets;
follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (JST Matthew 4:18).
[6] Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage, Chapter 11.
[7] “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of
sickness and all manner of disease among the people which believed on his name.” (JST Matthew 4:22).
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