Matthew 4 12

Matthew 4:12 kjv

Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

Matthew 4:12 nkjv

Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee.

Matthew 4:12 niv

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.

Matthew 4:12 esv

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.

Matthew 4:12 nlt

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

Matthew 4 verses

Matthew 4 12 Meaning

Matthew 4:12 signifies a pivotal turning point in Jesus' public ministry. Upon receiving the news of John the Baptist's arrest and imprisonment, Jesus strategically departs from Judea and relocates to Galilee. This move marks the transition from John's preparatory ministry to Jesus' own public proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven, establishing Galilee as the primary base for His early and extensive work among both Jews and Gentiles, fulfilling ancient prophecy.

Matthew 4 12 Context

Matthew chapter 4 opens with Jesus' victorious temptation in the wilderness, immediately following His baptism where He was affirmed as God's Son. Verses 1-11 showcase His divine authority and unwavering commitment to God's Word, preparing Him for public ministry. Matthew 4:12 then marks a significant transition: John the Baptist, Jesus' forerunner, is imprisoned, signaling the completion of his preparatory role and the divinely appointed commencement of Jesus' primary ministry. Historically, John's arrest by Herod Antipas for condemning his unlawful marriage would have been a significant event known in Judea and Galilee. This moment aligns with Jesus' purpose, leading Him to move from the vicinity of Jerusalem and the Jordan into Galilee, a region previously deemed insignificant but prophetically appointed for the manifestation of light.

Matthew 4 12 Word analysis

• Now when Jesus had heard (Ἀκούσας δὲ ὅτι Ἰησοῦς):

  • Ἀκούσας (Akousas): A participle meaning "having heard" or "upon hearing." It denotes an immediate, direct reception of critical information, implying certainty and readiness to act upon it. It's not a mere rumor but a confirmed report.
  • Significance: This active hearing underscores Jesus' awareness and responsiveness to significant developments in God's redemptive plan. It highlights His full engagement in the unfolding of divine timing.

• that John (Ἰωάννης):

  • Refers to John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin and divinely appointed forerunner.
  • Significance: John's pivotal role in preparing the way for the Messiah reaches its divinely appointed conclusion here, as Jesus steps forward to begin His main ministry. This marks the end of one prophetic era and the start of another.

• was cast into prison (παρεδόθη):

  • παρεδόθη (paredothē): From the Greek verb paradidomi, meaning "to hand over," "to deliver up," "to betray," or "to surrender." While commonly translated "cast into prison" in this context (as the KJV does), its primary sense is "delivered over."
  • Significance: This verb is highly significant in Matthew and the Gospels. It is repeatedly used to describe the handing over or betrayal of Jesus Himself to the authorities (e.g., Matt 20:18-19, 26:2, 27:2). The use of the same verb here suggests a parallel between John's suffering and Jesus's eventual Passion, implying a shared destiny of persecution and a divinely ordained "handing over" to fulfill God's plan. It signals that the confrontation with the powers of this world is now intensifying.

• he departed (ἀνεχώρησεν):

  • ἀνεχώρησεν (anechōrēsen): From the Greek verb anachoreo, meaning "to withdraw," "to retire," "to depart," often used in the New Testament to signify a strategic or deliberate retreat, usually from danger or in pursuit of a particular purpose.
  • Significance: This was not a panicked flight but a strategic withdrawal. Jesus often anachoreo when danger loomed, or to fulfill prophecy, or to transition to a new phase of ministry. Here, it signifies the deliberate decision to shift His base of operations from Judea to Galilee.

• into Galilee (εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν):

  • Γαλιλαίαν (Galilaian): Galilee was the northern region of Israel, often seen as a less prestigious and more diverse area compared to Judea, having a larger Gentile population, thus called "Galilee of the Gentiles" (Isa 9:1, Matt 4:15).
  • Significance: This move was prophetic fulfillment (Matt 4:15-16, quoting Isa 9:1-2) and strategically important. Galilee, despite its humble reputation, became the launchpad for Jesus' public ministry. It signaled that Jesus' light would shine not just in the religious centers but also in the "borderlands" and among "common people," foreshadowing the gospel's global reach.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison": This phrase functions as the critical trigger. John's active public ministry, preparing the way, had reached its appointed end through imprisonment. This act clears the way, not just physically but providentially, for Jesus' full emergence as the central figure of God's redemptive plan. The divine sovereignty over these events is highlighted.
  • "he departed into Galilee": This describes Jesus' purposeful and immediate response. It is a strategic shift, initiating His own ministry at a time when His forerunner's earthly mission was concluding. This choice of Galilee is not incidental but deeply significant, as it positions Jesus' ministry according to prophecy and amidst a broader, diverse populace, signifying an expansive and inclusive mission.

Matthew 4 12 Bonus section

The choice of Galilee also reflects Jesus' preferred method of ministry: avoiding direct, immediate confrontation with the religious and political establishments in Judea, allowing His message to gain root among the people first. This approach is characterized by humility and strategic patience, consistent with His earlier withdrawals throughout His life and ministry (e.g., in His infancy from Herod, or later from those seeking to make Him king by force). His base in Galilee enabled extensive travel and teaching across different towns and villages, making the good news accessible to a broader audience who might be more open to new teaching than the entrenched leadership in Jerusalem. This was not a sign of fear, but of profound wisdom and adherence to the Father's timing and plan.

Matthew 4 12 Commentary

Matthew 4:12 serves as a pivotal bridge, marking the culmination of John the Baptist's preparatory work and the formal inauguration of Jesus' public ministry. John's imprisonment signifies the completion of his specific mission to herald the Christ. This news acts as a divine cue for Jesus. His "departure into Galilee" is not merely a geographic relocation; it is a purposeful, divinely orchestrated move that initiates the next phase of salvation history. Galilee, the humble and ethnically mixed region, was a deliberate choice, fulfilling ancient prophecy (Isaiah 9:1-2) that a great light would shine upon those in darkness in that very land. This strategic move highlights Jesus's intention to bring the Kingdom of God not just to Jerusalem or the religious elite, but to the everyday people, to the "Galilee of the Gentiles," laying the foundation for a universal Gospel message. The parallels between John being "delivered over" and Jesus' own eventual Passion underscore the cost and divine sovereignty woven into their ministries.