“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17 — Greek Interlinear
Church Fathers on Matthew 4:17
Christ’s Gospel should be preached by him who can control his appetites, who condemns the goods of this life, and desires not empty honours. 'From this time began Jesus to preach,' that is, after having been tempted, He had overcome hunger in the desert, despised covetousness on the mountain, rejected ambitious desires in the temple.
For another cause also He did not preach till John was in prison, that the multitude might not be split into two parties; or as John did no miracle, all men would have been drawn to Christ by His miracles.
In this He further teaches that none should despise the words of a person inferior to Him; as also the Apostle, 'If any thing be revealed to him that sits, let the first hold his peace.' [1 Cor 14:30]