Matthew 11 1

Matthew 11:1 kjv

And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

Matthew 11:1 nkjv

Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

Matthew 11:1 niv

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

Matthew 11:1 esv

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Matthew 11:1 nlt

When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.

Matthew 11 verses

Matthew 11 1 Meaning

Matthew 11:1 marks a pivotal transition in the narrative, signifying the completion of Jesus' extensive instructions to His twelve disciples regarding their mission. Having fully equipped and commanded them for their task of proclaiming the Kingdom and exercising authority, Jesus then shifts His focus. The verse emphasizes that Jesus Himself continued His public ministry of teaching and preaching in the towns of that region, mirroring the very work He had just delegated to His followers. It illustrates Jesus' ongoing, personal commitment to spreading the Gospel even as His disciples began their delegated work, setting an example of devoted service.

Matthew 11 1 Context

Matthew 11:1 follows directly after the culmination of Jesus' "Missionary Discourse" in Matthew 10, where Jesus sends out His twelve disciples with specific instructions and warnings regarding their evangelistic tour of Israel. This discourse outlines their authority, the nature of their message, the persecutions they will face, and the unwavering commitment required. The immediate chapter context in Matthew 11 begins with a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus, as John the Baptist, now imprisoned, sends his disciples to question Jesus' identity. This moment introduces a shift towards the broader public reception, or rejection, of Jesus and His message, culminating in woes pronounced upon unrepentant cities. Historically and culturally, this verse reflects Jesus' itinerate ministry style common to wandering rabbis, where teachers would move from town to town. It underscores the Jewish context of His early ministry, focused on the "cities" within Israel, prior to the broader Gentile mission.

Matthew 11 1 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): This common Greek conjunction serves here not merely as an "and" but as a connective, indicating a sequential or consequent action. It signals a narrative transition from Jesus' specific interaction with the disciples to His resumed, ongoing personal ministry. It connects the conclusion of one significant event (the commissioning) to the commencement of another (Jesus' continued itinerant work).

• it came to pass (ἐγένετο - egeneto): This phrase, frequently found in biblical narratives, denotes an event or development. It is a formulaic opening used to introduce a new scene or major shift in action. It suggests divine orchestration and the unfolding of God's plan. Here, it highlights that Jesus' subsequent action is a natural progression from the previous one.

• when Jesus (ὁ Ἰησοῦς - ho Iēsous): Directly naming Jesus emphasizes that the central figure's action is paramount. The "when" clause highlights the completion of the preceding activity before a new one commences.

• had made an end (συνετέλεσεν - synetelesen): From synteleo, meaning "to complete," "to finish," "to bring to a conclusion." This term stresses that Jesus’ instruction to the disciples was not partial or interrupted, but fully accomplished. He completely delivered all necessary commands.

• of commanding (διατάσσων - diatassōn): From diatassō, meaning "to arrange," "to command," "to instruct definitively," "to give specific orders." This highlights the authoritative nature of Jesus’ instructions given in Matthew 10. He didn't just suggest, but mandated.

• His twelve (τοὺς δώδεκα - tous dōdeka): The number "twelve" is highly significant, evoking the twelve tribes of Israel and signifying a new, restored Israel, led by Jesus' appointed representatives. It symbolizes the continuity of God's covenant people. The choice of dōdeka underlines their specific, foundational role in God's plan.

• disciples (μαθητάς - mathētas): From mathētēs, meaning "learners," "pupils," "followers." This emphasizes their ongoing role as students under Jesus' teaching, even as they are sent out to teach. Their actions are derived from what they learned from Him.

• He departed thence (μετέβη ἐκεῖθεν - metebē ekeithen): From metabainō, meaning "to change place," "to go from one place to another." This denotes a physical movement, a shift in location. Jesus left the place where He had commissioned the disciples, moving on to another area. "Thence" points back to the unspecified location where the instruction in Matthew 10 took place.

• to teach (διδάσκειν - didaskein): From didaskō, meaning "to instruct," "to impart knowledge," "to explain doctrine systematically." Teaching is about building understanding, providing deeper insight into truth, particularly the principles of the Kingdom.

• and to preach (καὶ κηρύσσειν - kai kēryssein): From kērussō, meaning "to proclaim as a herald," "to announce publicly," "to declare news." Preaching involves declaring a message, typically the Good News of the Kingdom of God, authoritatively and openly. While teaching builds knowledge, preaching announces a transformative reality. These two activities, often paired, define the core of Jesus' (and later His disciples') ministry.

• in their cities (ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν αὐτῶν - en tais polesin autōn): "Cities" implies towns or population centers. "Their" most likely refers to the cities within the region from which the disciples hailed, or more generally, the cities of Israel that were the initial target of the disciples' (and thus Jesus') mission, emphasizing a continued focus on the Jewish people first. It points to a shared sphere of ministry between Jesus and His dispatched disciples.

Words-group analysis

• "And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding His twelve disciples": This phrase precisely delimits a temporal sequence and narrative shift. The completed commissioning (Matt 10) sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent independent action. The act of "commanding" highlights the definitive authority with which Jesus imparted His instructions, rather than mere suggestions. The focus on "His twelve disciples" underscores the specific group chosen and authorized for a foundational ministry, contrasting their delegated work with Jesus' direct, ongoing one.

• "He departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities": This segment outlines the resumption and continuation of Jesus' personal, active ministry. The verb "departed thence" signifies a change in location, indicating Jesus did not remain idle but actively continued His mission. The pairing of "teach and to preach" encapsulates the dual nature of His ministry: instructing deeper truths (teaching) and publicly proclaiming the Good News (preaching). "In their cities" identifies the geographic scope, signifying Jesus' ongoing outreach to the people of Israel, paralleling and modeling the very work He had just assigned to His followers. It emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate embodiment of the mission He delegates.

Matthew 11 1 Bonus section

The geographical movement suggested by "departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities" signifies Jesus' continued pervasive ministry across the Galilean region, even as His newly commissioned disciples embarked on their own. This overlap and continuation illustrate the vastness of the spiritual need and the diligent, tireless nature of Christ's mission. The deliberate use of "teach" (didaskein) and "preach" (kēryssein) signifies the complementary aspects of conveying God's truth: imparting systematic instruction for understanding and proclaiming the definitive message of the Kingdom. This duality in ministry becomes the model for His disciples and for the Church throughout history. The "cities" can be seen not merely as physical locations, but as strategic centers for influencing the surrounding rural areas, demonstrating a thoughtful approach to mission by both Jesus and His apostles.

Matthew 11 1 Commentary

Matthew 11:1 marks a crucial narrative transition. Following the intensive equipping and sending of the twelve disciples in Matthew 10, this verse highlights that Jesus did not cease His active ministry but rather intensified it. While the disciples embarked on their initial limited mission, Jesus continued His extensive work of teaching and preaching in various cities. This demonstrates His leadership by example, not simply delegating and withdrawing, but actively modeling the very task He assigned. His direct ministry served as the ultimate pattern and impetus for His disciples' efforts, confirming that the work of the Kingdom required a dual approach: a concentrated effort by the commissioned followers and an overarching, pervasive work by the Master Himself. This ongoing activity by Jesus also prepares the narrative for His encounter with John the Baptist's disciples, which shifts the focus to public reception and response to His message.