Matthew 12 15

Matthew 12:15 kjv

But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

Matthew 12:15 nkjv

But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.

Matthew 12:15 niv

Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.

Matthew 12:15 esv

Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all

Matthew 12:15 nlt

But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them,

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 15 Meaning

Matthew 12:15 reveals Jesus' divine discernment of the Pharisees' deadly plot against Him, leading Him to strategically withdraw from their immediate sphere of influence. This withdrawal was not a sign of fear, but a calculated move to preserve His ministry according to God's perfect timing. Despite the increasing hostility from religious leaders, His power and compassion drew great crowds who sought His help, and He unfailingly healed all who came to Him, demonstrating His authority and fulfilling His redemptive mission.

Matthew 12 15 Context

Matthew chapter 12 details an intensifying conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees. The preceding verses (1-8) depict their challenge over His disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath, to which Jesus responds by asserting His authority as Lord of the Sabbath and highlighting God's preference for mercy over rigid ritual. This is immediately followed by Jesus healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath (9-13), further infuriating the Pharisees. Verse 14 explicitly states that "the Pharisees went out, and held a counsel against him, how they might destroy him." Verse 15 directly follows this escalation of hostility. Jesus' withdrawal, therefore, is a direct response to this newfound, murderous intent, demonstrating His discernment and strategic approach to His ministry's timeline, while also maintaining His mission of compassion and healing towards the multitudes.

Matthew 12 15 Word analysis

• But: (δὲ - de) Indicates a transition or contrast from the previous hostile action of the Pharisees to Jesus' response. It signals a turning point in the narrative.
• when Jesus knew it: (ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς γνοὺς - ho de Iesous gnous)
  • knew it (γνοὺς - gnous): This participle form of ginōskō signifies a direct, intimate, and often supernatural understanding or immediate discernment of the Pharisees' lethal intent. It suggests more than mere observation; it points to Jesus' divine insight into their thoughts and plans.
• he withdrew himself: (ἀνεχώρησεν - anechōrēsen)
  • From anachōreō, meaning to retreat, retire, or depart. This is not a fearful flight but a strategic movement to avoid premature confrontation and to continue His ministry according to God's schedule. It signifies a calculated, purposeful disengagement from a specific threat.
• from thence: (ἐκεῖθεν - ekeithen) Refers to the immediate area where the Pharisees' counsel against Him took place, implying a specific place like the synagogue or its vicinity where the plot was formulated.
• and great multitudes followed him: (καὶ ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ ὄχλοι πολλοί - kai ēkolouthēsan autō ochloi polloi)
  • great (πολλοί - polloi): Emphasizes the significant number of people, highlighting Jesus' widespread popularity among the common folk, despite escalating opposition from the religious elite.
  • multitudes (ὄχλοι - ochloi): Refers to large, often undifferentiated common crowds, underscoring their general interest in Jesus' teaching and miraculous works. Their presence often contrasts with the malice of the religious leaders.
• and he healed them all: (καὶ ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτοὺς πάντας - kai etherapeusen autous pantas)
  • healed (ἐθεράπευσεν - etherapeusen): From therapeuō, meaning to heal or cure. This denotes comprehensive physical restoration, a key aspect of Jesus' ministry demonstrating His divine power over disease and suffering.
  • them all (πάντας - pantas): Stresses the complete scope of His boundless compassion and restorative power. It signifies that every person who came to Him seeking healing received it, emphasizing His limitless grace and capacity to meet every need. This contrasts sharply with the destructive intent of His adversaries.

Matthew 12 15 Bonus section

• This verse directly sets the stage for Matthew's unique citation of Isaiah 42:1-4 in the subsequent verses (17-21), demonstrating how Jesus' quiet withdrawal and non-confrontational, healing ministry precisely fulfilled the characteristics of the Servant Messiah. His instruction in verse 16 for those healed not to make Him known further reinforces this prophetic theme of the "servant who will not quarrel or cry out."
• The repetitive use of the verb anachōreō (to withdraw) by Matthew often signals Jesus avoiding immediate danger, seeking solitude, or strategically moving to manage public expectations (e.g., preventing Him from being prematurely made king, as described in John). It emphasizes His controlled and deliberate approach to His mission, not subject to human impulses or external pressures.
• The inclusive phrase "he healed them all" serves as a profound testament to His unwavering benevolence and miraculous power, which transcends all human opposition. It offers a powerful counter-narrative to the religious leaders' rejection, highlighting the continued outpouring of God's grace and healing power among the common people.

Matthew 12 15 Commentary

Matthew 12:15 beautifully illustrates Jesus' strategic wisdom and boundless compassion in the face of escalating animosity. Faced with the Pharisees' murderous intent, His withdrawal was not an act of fear, but a divinely guided, tactical retreat. This preserved His life and ministry for its ordained culmination, aligning with messianic prophecies that speak of the Servant not striving or crying out in public squares (as seen in the direct quote of Isaiah 42:1-4 in verses 17-21). Despite the growing danger, His focus remained unwavering on His mission. Simultaneously, the vast crowds continued to flock to Him, drawn by the genuine hope and relief He offered. His consistent act of "healing them all" underscored His authority, validated His identity as the Messiah, and powerfully conveyed the true nature of the Kingdom of God – one of restorative power and mercy, freely extended to all who would come. This passage eloquently showcases the tension between external opposition and internal divine purpose, where God's will and the well-being of people always prevail over human malice.