Matthew 4 25

Matthew 4:25 kjv

And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

Matthew 4:25 nkjv

Great multitudes followed Him?from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

Matthew 4:25 niv

Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Matthew 4:25 esv

And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Matthew 4:25 nlt

Large crowds followed him wherever he went ? people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.

Matthew 4 verses

Matthew 4 25 Meaning

This verse comprehensively describes the immediate and vast gathering of people from a wide range of geographical locations who followed Jesus. It signifies the immense impact and widespread recognition of His ministry—including His teaching, preaching the good news of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and affliction—as recounted in the preceding verses. The massive influx of diverse individuals underscores the potent drawing power of God's Anointed One, indicating His rapid and broad fame beyond local Galilee.

Matthew 4 25 Context

Matthew 4:25 serves as the culmination of the initial summary of Jesus' public ministry in Galilee. After His temptation in the wilderness and the call of His first disciples (4:18-22), Jesus began to preach the gospel of the Kingdom and perform extensive healing (4:23-24). This verse details the overwhelming response to His power and message, describing the vast multitudes that started to follow Him from various regions. It functions as an essential prelude to the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7), explaining why such a large and geographically diverse audience was present to hear Jesus deliver His profound teachings, establishing His widespread influence and authority as a divine teacher and healer from the very beginning of His public ministry. The inclusion of Gentile-heavy areas like the Decapolis implicitly signals the universal scope of Jesus' mission, beyond the borders of Jewish lands, laying groundwork for future outreach.

Matthew 4 25 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): This conjunction links the cause (Jesus' ministry, teaching, preaching, and healing described in Mt 4:23-24) with the effect (the large crowds following Him). It highlights a direct and immediate consequence of His powerful actions.
• there followed (ἠκολούθησαν - ēkolouthēsan): The verb is in the aorist indicative, denoting a completed action that occurred at a specific point, emphasizing the definitive commencement of their following. It signifies not just casual observation but active movement towards Him, though not necessarily immediate commitment as disciples. The root "akoloutheō" often implies adherence and discipleship, underscoring the initial pull of Jesus' person and message.
• Him (αὐτῷ - autō): Refers directly to Jesus, indicating Him as the central object of their attention and pursuit.
• great crowds (ὄχλοι πολλοί - ochloi polloi): "Ochloi" signifies large, often undifferentiated masses of people. "Polloi" means "many" or "numerous," emphasizing the sheer volume. This phrase highlights the vastness of the throngs that sought out Jesus. This was an unprecedented popular movement.
• from Galilee (ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας - apo tēs Galilaias): Jesus' main area of operation at this point (4:13). This was a populous and fertile region, but often seen as less religiously pure by Judean standards. Its mention first signifies the immediate local response.
• and Decapolis (καὶ Δεκαπόλεως - kai Dekapoleōs): Literally "Ten Cities," a federation of primarily Hellenistic cities located mostly east of the Jordan River. This region was largely Gentile. Its inclusion indicates Jesus' fame and reach extending beyond purely Jewish territories, showing the universality of His appeal early in His ministry, breaking down conventional religious and ethnic barriers.
• and Jerusalem (καὶ Ἱεροσολύμων - kai Hierosolymōn): The religious, political, and cultural capital of Judea. People from Jerusalem following Jesus signifies His impact even in the very center of traditional Jewish life and authority, suggesting His challenge to established religious structures.
• and Judea (καὶ Ἰουδαίας - kai Ioudaias): The southern region of Palestine, including Jerusalem, considered the heartland of Judaism. This further emphasizes the extensive geographical coverage of His ministry and the drawing power even in the conservative Jewish areas.
• and beyond the Jordan (καὶ πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου - kai peran tou Iordanou): Refers to the region of Perea, east of the Jordan River, distinct from the Decapolis further north. This area had a significant Jewish population. Its inclusion ensures that all major areas surrounding His Galilean base are covered, demonstrating that His influence was truly region-wide and not confined to specific locales.

Words-group analysis

• "there followed Him great crowds": This phrase immediately establishes the immense popularity and magnetism of Jesus. It demonstrates the tangible outcome of His works and words as described previously. The 'following' isn't always deep discipleship, but an undeniable attraction, driven often by curiosity, need for healing, or hope for a new kingdom.
• "from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and beyond the Jordan": This geographical enumeration is critically important. It paints a picture of Jesus' expansive influence across varied territories—from His home region (Galilee), to the Hellenistic Gentile cities (Decapolis), to the religious and political heart (Jerusalem and Judea), and even regions east of the Jordan. This list underscores the unprecedented scope of His early ministry, hinting at the future global reach of the Gospel (cf. Acts 1:8). It highlights the diversity of His audience: Jewish people from various socio-economic backgrounds and possibly a significant number of Gentiles, setting the stage for a message relevant to all.

Matthew 4 25 Bonus section

The geographical diversity of the crowd gathering to Jesus in Matthew 4:25 is highly significant. It points to the universal scope of the Gospel from its very inception. The inclusion of the Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile area, along with various Jewish regions, subtly foreshadows the later Great Commission (Mt 28:19-20) to make disciples of all nations. This verse serves as concrete evidence of Jesus' renown having rapidly permeated society, generating such profound interest that multitudes from vastly different backgrounds and cultures converged on Him. The immediate attraction also implicitly sets up the narrative tension, as such widespread popular appeal would eventually draw the attention and opposition of established religious authorities, who saw their own influence waning in comparison to Jesus' rising prominence. This multitude would include not only the truly seeking but also the curious, the critically ill, and those with various motives, all drawn into the magnetic orbit of the Nazarene.

Matthew 4 25 Commentary

Matthew 4:25 vividly portrays the extraordinary success of Jesus' early ministry. Following a summary of His powerful teaching, preaching, and comprehensive healing, this verse details the immediate and overwhelming response: vast numbers of people streamed to Him from all directions. This remarkable influx wasn't confined to a small region or specific demographic; it included Jews and Gentiles alike (implied by the Decapolis), encompassing areas from rural Galilee to the urban heart of Jerusalem, and surrounding regions. This mass gathering profoundly signifies Jesus' divine authority and magnetic presence, setting the dramatic stage for His seminal teachings, most notably the Sermon on the Mount, where a crowd of this magnitude would hear the foundational principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. It showcases the compelling nature of authentic divine power and truth, attracting those in desperate need of healing and hope.