Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:12-25
In Matthew’s gospel the story of the first months of our Lord’s public ministry is omitted. Several chapters of John’s gospel come in between verses 11 and 12 of Matthew’s fourth chapter. The mission of John the Baptist was to go before Christ and prepare His way. When he had done this, introducing Him to the people, John’s work was really ended. But he continued to preach for some months until he was arrested by Herod and cast into prison. Then it was that Jesus went into Galilee. Why He did this we are not told. Some suppose it was to avoid John’s fate, but this scarcely seems a sufficient reason. Indeed, in Galilee he would be nearer to Herod than in Jerusalem. Is it not more likely that it was just because John was now shut up in prison and his voice silenced that Jesus went to Galilee? John had spoken of Jesus coming after him, and He came at once and began to speak.
He dwelt in Capernaum. At that time Capernaum was an important city on the Sea of Galilee. Now nobody knows certainly what its site was. It was a city of wonderful privilege. For a long time Jesus made His home there. It was exalted to heaven in thus having the Sun of God walk on its streets, speak His blessed words to its people, and do His works of mercy and love in its homes of suffering and sorrow. But in spite of all this honor and favor shown to Capernaum, Jesus was rejected there.
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