Matthew 19 1

Matthew 19:1 kjv

And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

Matthew 19:1 nkjv

Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

Matthew 19:1 niv

When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan.

Matthew 19:1 esv

Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

Matthew 19:1 nlt

When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went down to the region of Judea east of the Jordan River.

Matthew 19 verses

Matthew 19 1 Meaning

This verse marks a significant geographical and narrative transition in Jesus' ministry. Having completed a major teaching discourse, He moves from His primary area of ministry in Galilee towards the regions bordering Judea, specifically the area known as Perea, located across the Jordan River. This departure signals the beginning of His final journey towards Jerusalem and the events of His Passion.

Matthew 19 1 Context

Matthew 19:1 opens a new section in the Gospel. It follows what is traditionally recognized as Jesus' Fourth Discourse (Matt 18), primarily concerned with humility, forgiveness, and the principles of community within the Kingdom of Heaven (often called the "Discourse on the Church"). This discourse provides foundational principles for living as a follower of Christ. Immediately following Matt 19:1, Jesus engages with Pharisees on the issue of divorce (Matt 19:3-12), a discussion culturally significant given the competing Rabbinic schools of thought (Hillel and Shammai) at the time regarding the permissible grounds for divorce. The move to Perea, beyond the Jordan, sets a distinct stage. This region was under Herod Antipas's rule and was notably the place where John the Baptist had ministered and been imprisoned, partly due to his condemnation of Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, providing a powerful, implicit backdrop for Jesus' subsequent teaching on marriage. This geographical shift signifies Jesus' definitive departure from His Galilean base towards Jerusalem, commencing the final stages of His public ministry and leading to His Passion week. For many Jews, traveling from Galilee to Judea often involved passing through Perea to avoid traversing the region of Samaria, where relations were often hostile.

Matthew 19 1 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (Greek: kai egeneto - καὶ ἐγένετο): This is a common phrase in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) and the New Testament, particularly in Luke and Acts. It often signals a transition in narrative or the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. It emphasizes that this event, like previous ones, is part of a divinely orchestrated sequence.
• when Jesus had finished (Greek: ote etelesan ho Iesous - ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς): The verb "finished" (etelesan) indicates a completion and brings closure to a significant section. In Matthew, this verb is characteristic, appearing four other times to mark the end of Jesus' major discourses (Matt 7:28, 11:1, 13:53, 26:1). This highlights Matthew's literary structure, presenting Jesus' teachings in five distinct blocks, reminiscent of the five books of the Torah (Pentateuch).
• these sayings (Greek: tous logous toutous - τοὺς λόγους τούτους): This refers specifically to the discourse presented in Matt 18, which covers themes of childlike humility, care for the lost (parable of the lost sheep), and the discipline and forgiveness within the community of believers. It directly connects this transition to the specific teachings just delivered.
• he departed from Galilee (Greek: metêren apo tês Galilaias - μετῆρεν ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας): "Departed" (metêren) indicates a significant relocation. Galilee was the primary base of Jesus' public ministry (e.g., Matt 4:12-17), especially Capernaum. This departure marks a decisive shift in His itinerancy, signaling the end of His prolonged ministry in that region and setting His course toward Judea and His ultimate destination, Jerusalem, for His suffering and glorification. It also aligns with the prophetic narrative of His Messianic journey.
• and came into the coasts of Judaea (Greek: kai êlthen eis ta horia tês Ioudaias - καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὰ ὅρια τῆς Ἰουδαίας): "Coasts" here is horia, which literally means "borders" or "regions," not necessarily the seashore. This indicates Jesus entered the territorial boundaries adjoining the region of Judea. This is moving from a less centralized, often more open environment (Galilee) to an area more closely scrutinized by Jerusalem's religious and political authorities.
• beyond Jordan (Greek: peran tou Iordanou - πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου): This phrase specifies the exact location within the "borders of Judea" as Perea (meaning "beyond" or "across"). Perea was a region east of the Jordan River, often viewed as distinct from central Judea geographically, though under Roman administration, it was tied to the province. This region was significant because it was a common route for Galilean Jews to travel to Jerusalem, avoiding Samaria, and it was also a place where John the Baptist had ministered and baptized. The move to Perea sets the scene for events to unfold in proximity to Jerusalem, signifying an intensified phase of His ministry. The discussion of divorce immediately following is particularly poignant in Perea, where Herod Antipas's controversial marriage, condemned by John the Baptist, took place.

Matthew 19 1 Bonus section

• The "five discourses" structure of Matthew (Sermon on the Mount, Commissioning the Twelve, Parables of the Kingdom, Discourse on the Church, Olivet Discourse) is emphasized by the recurring phrase "when Jesus had finished these sayings" (Matt 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). This deliberate patterning suggests Matthew's intent to portray Jesus as a new, authoritative Moses, providing a "new Torah" for His followers.
• The mention of Perea, "beyond Jordan," also bears historical weight for the ensuing discussion on divorce. It was in Perea that John the Baptist had confronted Herod Antipas over his unlawful marriage to Herodias, leading to John's imprisonment and death (Matt 14:3-12). This immediate geographical context for the discussion of marriage and divorce (Matt 19:3ff) subtly reinforces the gravity and controversial nature of Jesus' teaching on this subject.
• The journey towards Judea also heightens the tension and opposition that Jesus faces. As He draws closer to the seat of Jewish religious authority in Jerusalem, the encounters with religious leaders become more frequent and adversarial, moving from doctrinal debates to direct confrontations, preparing the audience for the escalating conflict that culminates in the crucifixion.

Matthew 19 1 Commentary

Matthew 19:1 is a pivotal transitional verse in the narrative of Jesus' life and ministry as presented by Matthew. It effectively signals the conclusion of one major phase—the Galilean ministry centered around intensive teaching and healing—and the commencement of the final phase leading to Jerusalem and the crucifixion. The phrase "when Jesus had finished these sayings" underscores Matthew's architectural design of Jesus' teaching, marking the fourth of five major discourses completed (Matt 5-7, 10, 13, 18). This verse geographically redirects Jesus from Galilee, His customary operating base, towards the critical region of Judea, specifically via Perea. This strategic route avoided Samaria but placed Him in territory with its own historical and theological echoes, particularly relating to John the Baptist's ministry and prophetic judgments. This movement is not merely incidental travel; it marks a conscious and purposeful progression towards the destiny foretold for the Messiah, where His final confrontations and sacrifice would occur. It sets the stage for new teachings and interactions crucial for understanding His Kingdom work before His Passion.