What does Matthew 4:12-17 mean?

¹² When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³ Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— ¹⁴ to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: ¹⁵ “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
¹⁶ the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” ¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:12-17 NIV)

Jesus begins His ministry

We have here an account of Christ’s preaching in the synagogues of Galilee, for he came into the world to be a preacher. The great salvation he brought, he himself began to proclaim (Heb 2:3), showing how much his heart was in it and how much ours should be as well.

Several passages in the other gospels, especially in John, are believed to take place between his temptation and his preaching in Galilee. His first appearance after his temptation was when John the Baptist pointed to him, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). After that, he went to Jerusalem for the Passover (John 2), spoke with Nicodemus (John 3), with the woman of Samaria (John 4), and then returned to Galilee to preach. But Matthew, being from Galilee, begins his account of Christ’s public ministry with his preaching there.

I. The timing: “When Jesus heard that John was imprisoned, he went to Galilee” (Mt 4:12). Note, the suffering of saints reaches Jesus’ ears. If John is imprisoned, Jesus takes notice and adjusts his course accordingly. He remembers the hardships of his people.

1. Christ did not begin his ministry in Galilee until John was imprisoned because John had to prepare the way first. Providence arranged it so that John would fade from public view before Christ took center stage. Otherwise, people might have been divided between the two. John was meant to be Christ’s forerunner, not his rival. The moon and stars fade when the sun rises. Once John fulfilled his role in calling for repentance, he was removed.
2. As soon as John was imprisoned, Christ moved to Galilee—not only for his own safety, knowing the Pharisees were against him as Herod was against John, but also to continue John’s work. When one servant of God is removed, another is raised. God ensures that his church is never left without guidance.

II. The place: Galilee, a region distant from Jerusalem and considered less refined. Its people were known as strong warriors but not as scholars. Yet this is where Christ chose to establish the gospel, humbling himself once again.

1. He did not stay in Nazareth, where he was raised, but left it (Mt 4:13). He left because the people there rejected him and his message, even attempting to throw him out (Luke 4:29). Since they refused him, he moved on. Note, it is just for God to withdraw the gospel from those who reject it. Christ will not stay where he is unwelcome. Unfortunate Nazareth! If only you had known what was meant for your peace!

Instead, he settled in Capernaum, a major city on the Sea of Galilee. Some believe Joseph had lived there, or that Jesus took lodging there, possibly with Simon Peter. Though he did not have a home of his own, this became his base. Unlike Nazareth, Capernaum received him warmly. If some reject Christ, others will welcome him. Capernaum rejoiced in what Nazareth had discarded.

2. The prophecy fulfilled: Mt 4:14-16 refers to Isaiah 9:1-2. The prophet originally spoke of Israel’s suffering under foreign invasions but also of future restoration. Matthew applies this prophecy to Christ’s coming, as the gospel brought light to a land long in darkness.

The regions mentioned—Zebulun, Naphtali, and beyond the Jordan—were places Christ visited, spreading the gospel. Galilee, home to many Gentiles, foreshadowed the gospel’s future spread beyond Israel. The coming of Christ to Capernaum meant the gospel reached all these regions.

Before the gospel arrived, the people were in darkness—not just lacking knowledge but in spiritual danger. They were in “the region and shadow of death,” on the brink of destruction. Worse, they were sitting in this darkness—settled, without seeking a way out, even content in their ignorance. Their condition was dire, as it still is for many nations today. Even more tragic are those who sit in darkness despite having access to the gospel.

When Christ came, it was like sunrise to a traveler lost in the night. The gospel is light—it reveals truth and gives direction. This was no dim candle but a great light, as bright as the sun at full strength. The gospel surpasses the light of the law, revealing greater truths with greater clarity. It is a growing light, spreading and increasing. The people did not seek it; it came to them by God’s will, just as the dawn arrives each morning.

III. His message: “From that time, Jesus began to preach” (Mt 4:17). He had preached before in Judea, making and baptizing disciples (John 4:1), but now his preaching became public and continuous.

His central message was the same as John’s: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 3:2). The gospel message remains unchanged across all times. Even an angel from heaven cannot preach a different one (Ga 1:8). Christ honored John’s ministry by preaching the same message, confirming that John had spoken for God. The Son came with the same mission as the servants: to call people to repentance.

1. This was his first message: Jesus went around preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
2. He preached it often: Wherever he went, this was his focus. Neither he nor his followers considered it a worn-out message, though some people grow tired of hearing the same truths. What has been preached before can and should be preached again, with fresh passion and attention.
3. Repentance is part of the gospel: Not just the stern John the Baptist, but also the gentle, gracious Jesus preached repentance. This shows what a great mercy it is that repentance is even possible.
4. The reason for urgency: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John had preached this a year earlier, but now it was even closer. Salvation was drawing near (Ro 13:11). As we see the day approaching, we should be even more diligent in responding (Heb 10:25).