Matthew 4:23 kjv
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Matthew 4:23 nkjv
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
Matthew 4:23 niv
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:23 esv
And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Matthew 4:23 nlt
Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.
Matthew 4 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Short Note) |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 18:15 | The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet...Him you shall listen. | Prophet like Moses, teaching God's word |
| Isa 9:1-2 | Galilee of the Gentiles...The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. | Prophecy of Messiah's ministry in Galilee |
| Isa 35:5-6 | Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened...the ears of the deaf unstopped. | Messianic era of healing |
| Isa 61:1-2 | The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me...to preach good tidings to the meek; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted... | Messiah's mission: preach & heal |
| Mal 4:2 | But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings. | Messianic healing aspect |
| Mt 4:15-16 | "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light..." | Fulfillment of Isa 9:1-2 |
| Mt 8:16-17 | When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick... | Broad scope of healing confirmed |
| Mt 9:35 | Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. | Identical summary of ministry |
| Mt 10:1 | Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. | Disciples continue Jesus' ministry |
| Mt 11:4-5 | "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor." | Signs confirming His Messiahship |
| Mk 1:14-15 | After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," He said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" | Gospel of Kingdom focus in Galilee |
| Mk 1:38-39 | He replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." So He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. | Itinerant preaching in synagogues |
| Lk 4:15 | He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. | Jesus' teaching authority noted |
| Lk 4:43 | But He said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." | Sent specifically for Kingdom message |
| Lk 7:22 | So He replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor." | Kingdom evidence through miracles |
| Lk 8:1 | Afterward Jesus traveled from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him. | Itinerant proclamation of Kingdom |
| Acts 8:12 | But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. | Apostolic continuation of Kingdom gospel |
| Acts 10:38 | ...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him. | Summary of Jesus' active ministry, God's presence |
| Acts 28:31 | He preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. | Kingdom preaching by Paul at end of Acts |
| Heb 2:3-4 | how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? | Salvation confirmed by signs and wonders |
Matthew 4 verses
Matthew 4 23 Meaning
Matthew 4:23 encapsulates the comprehensive nature of Jesus Christ's early ministry in Galilee. It summarizes His three primary activities: authoritative teaching of divine truth, proclaiming the good news of God's sovereign rule, and demonstrating divine power through widespread healing of all afflictions, thereby authenticating His identity and the message of the Kingdom. This verse serves as a concise programmatic statement, setting the stage for His subsequent public ministry and revelations.
Matthew 4 23 Context
Matthew 4:23 follows Jesus' initial call to Peter, Andrew, James, and John to become fishers of men (Mt 4:18-22). This verse serves as a transition from the inauguration of Jesus' ministry (His baptism, temptation, and initial move to Capernaum in Galilee) to the comprehensive detailing of His teaching, notably the Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5-7. It functions as a summary statement, introducing the subsequent narratives of Jesus' miracles and teachings in Galilee, validating His messianic claim and the advent of the Kingdom of Heaven. Historically, Galilee was a fertile region with a diverse population, often viewed with disdain by those in Jerusalem, yet it became the primary locus for the "light" of Messiah's ministry (Isa 9:1-2, fulfilled in Mt 4:15-16). Synagogues were central to Jewish community life, serving as places of worship, teaching, and judicial proceedings, providing a natural platform for Jesus' early outreach.
Matthew 4 23 Word analysis
- And Jesus went about (περιῆγεν - periēgen): The verb suggests an active, deliberate, and comprehensive movement. Jesus was not static but continually traveled, reaching wide areas. This highlights the extensive nature of His ministry, emphasizing its itinerant and pervasive quality, indicative of His divine zeal to reach all people.
- all Galilee (ὅλην τὴν Γαλιλαίαν - holēn tēn Galilaian): This phrase underscores the geographical breadth of His early ministry. Galilee was a significant region in the north, often scorned by Judeans but a land rich in history and messianic prophecy (Isa 9:1-2). "All" implies a thorough, pervasive presence and a focused initial outreach.
- teaching (διδάσκων - didaskōn): Refers to systematic instruction, providing authoritative exposition of God's truth. Jesus taught with inherent authority, unlike the scribes (Mt 7:29). This primary activity shaped understanding of God's character, the law, and the Kingdom. It signifies the verbal communication of divine revelation.
- in their synagogues (ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν - en tais synagōgais autōn): Synagogues were established Jewish institutions for worship, Torah study, and community gathering. Jesus' use of these spaces signifies His initial outreach within the accepted religious framework, lending a sense of legitimacy and continuity, yet He spoke with an authority transcending mere rabbinic interpretation.
- and preaching (κηρύσσων - kēryssōn): This denotes proclaiming a message like a herald. It implies an authoritative announcement, a public proclamation of a vital message rather than just instruction. It conveys urgency and the bringing of a new, revolutionary announcement.
- the gospel (τὸ εὐαγγέλιον - to euangelion): Literally "good news" or "good message." It's not just information but joyful, life-changing tidings. It specifically refers to the redemptive work of God.
- of the kingdom (τῆς βασιλείας - tēs basileias): This refers to "the Kingdom of God" or "Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew's preferred term, reflecting Jewish reverence for God's name). It is God's sovereign rule, actively present through Jesus and His redemptive work, impacting lives spiritually and physically, not merely a future political realm. It is the central theme of Jesus' ministry, the good news itself.
- and healing (θεραπεύων - therapeuōn): Implies tending to, caring for, and restoring health. This act was a tangible demonstration of divine power and compassion, a core aspect of Jesus' ministry. Healing attested to His messianic claims and the present reality of God's Kingdom.
- all manner of sickness (πᾶσαν νόσον - pasan noson): Refers to every kind of disease or illness, a grave, deep-seated ailment. The emphasis on "all" highlights the comprehensive scope and undeniable power of Jesus' healing.
- and all manner of disease (πᾶσαν μαλακίαν - pasan malakian): Denotes any weakness, infirmity, or debility. Often used in conjunction with noson to cover the full spectrum of physical afflictions. The repetition underscores the universality of Jesus' healing power, leaving no physical ailment beyond His reach.
- among the people (ἐν τῷ λαῷ - en tō laō): This shows His direct engagement with the common folk, not just the religious elite. It speaks to the accessible and public nature of His ministry, impacting the everyday lives of ordinary individuals.
Matthew 4 23 Bonus section
This verse not only describes Jesus' actions but also foreshadows the ministry of His disciples and the Church. He later empowers His apostles with the same mandate to teach, preach, and heal (Mt 10:7-8). This verse sets the precedent for an integrated ministry where the proclamation of God's truth is validated and accompanied by tangible demonstrations of His power and compassion, showing the integral connection between the spiritual message of the Kingdom and its practical outworking in physical and human life. It encapsulates the dynamic arrival of God's saving reign, which challenges sin, Satan, and their resultant sufferings directly. The expansive reach across "all Galilee" indicates God's desire to extend salvation and healing beyond perceived religious boundaries.
Matthew 4 23 Commentary
Matthew 4:23 is a foundational summary, often termed the "Galilean Ministry Triad," outlining the consistent pattern of Jesus Christ's early public work: authoritative teaching, prophetic proclamation of the Kingdom, and miraculous healing. These three intertwined elements underscore the holistic nature of His mission: Words of truth paired with Deeds of power. His "teaching" offered profound spiritual insights with unparalleled authority (Mt 7:29); His "preaching" announced the advent of God's immediate rule ("the gospel of the kingdom," Mk 1:15), correcting prevailing misconceptions of a purely political kingdom; and His "healing" was not merely an act of compassion, but undeniable proof that the Kingdom had indeed drawn near, directly countering the effects of sin and demonstrating God's restorative power over creation. This comprehensive ministry established Jesus' identity as the long-awaited Messiah, drawing vast crowds and fulfilling Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messianic age (Isa 35:5-6; 61:1-2). It perfectly sets the stage for the revelation of Kingdom principles in the Sermon on the Mount, showing that the King not only speaks with authority but also acts with divine power.