43 Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. 45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. (John 4:43-45 KJV)
Jesus is Welcomed in Galilee
In these verses we have:
Christ’s coming into Galilee (John 4:43). Though he was welcomed among the Samaritans and had better success there, after two days he left them—not because they were Samaritans (John 8:48), but because he had to preach in other cities (Luke 4:43). He went into Galilee, where he spent much of his time.
1. Where Christ went: into the country of Galilee, but not to Nazareth, his own hometown. He went among the villages, but avoided Nazareth for a reason he himself gave: a prophet has no honor in his own country.
Prophets deserve honor because God has honored them, and we benefit from their ministry. Yet the honor due to the Lord’s prophets is often denied them—especially in their own country (Luke 4:24; Matthew 13:57). This is not universally true, but generally holds. Joseph was most hated by his brothers when he began to prophesy; David was scorned by his brother (1 Samuel 17:28); Jeremiah was opposed by the men of Anathoth (Jeremiah 11:21); Paul by the Jews; and even Christ’s relatives spoke lightly of him (John 7:5). Pride and envy make people unwilling to be taught by those they grew up with. The desire for novelty causes them to reject what is familiar.
It discourages a minister to preach among those who don’t value him or his work. Christ didn’t go to Nazareth because he knew how little respect he would get there. It is just for God to deny the gospel to those who despise its ministers. Those who mock the messengers forfeit the benefit of the message (Matthew 21:35, 41).
2. How the Galileans received him (John 4:45): They welcomed him and paid attention to his teaching. If Christ and his gospel are not honored in one place, they will be in another. The Galileans were ready to receive Christ because they had seen his miracles at Jerusalem (John 4:45).
They had gone up to Jerusalem for the Passover, even though it was a long, inconvenient journey through Samaria. Yet, in obedience to God’s command, they went—and there they met Christ. Those who regularly attend public worship often gain more spiritual benefit than they expect. At Jerusalem, they saw Christ’s miracles, which drew them to him. Though those miracles were primarily for the benefit of others, these Galileans gained more from them. The word preached to a mixed crowd can sometimes edify occasional hearers more than regular listeners.