“The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;”
The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The citation is from Isaiah 9:1 in a form that blends the Hebrew and Greek texts. Zebulun and Naphtali were the northern tribes first conquered by Assyria (2 Kings 15:29), the regions most associated in Jewish consciousness with Gentile contamination and spiritual degradation. Galilee of the Gentiles was not a compliment in the first century. That Jesus begins his ministry precisely in this territory communicates the direction the whole gospel will move: toward those considered least likely, least pure, least central to the religious establishment. Matthew 15:24 will show Jesus extending his ministry to Gentiles even during his primarily Jewish mission.
Church Fathers on Matthew 4:15
Matthew having related the forty days' fast, the temptation of Christ, and the ministry of Angels, proceeds, 'Jesus having heard that John was cast into prison.'
By God without doubt, for none can effect any thing against a holy man, unless God deliver him up. 'He withdrew into Galilee,' that is, out of Judaea; both that He might reserve His passion to the fit time, and that He might set us an example of flying from danger.
It is not blameworthy not to throw one’s self into peril, but when one has fallen into it, not to endure manfully. He departed from Judaea both to soften Jewish animosity, and to fulfil a prophecy, seeking moreover to fish for those masters of the world who dwelt in Galilee.
Read all 16 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!