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MAT 4:12-17

Jesus Begins His Ministry

12Now when Jesus heard that John had been handed over, he withdrew into Galilee.

13And leaving Nazareth, he came and settled in Capernaum-by-the-sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,

14so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles —

16the people sitting in darkness have seen a great light, and for those sitting in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned upon them."

17From that time Jesus began to proclaim and to say: "Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near."

In the world it was spoken into

In the first-century Galilee, Jesus' relocation to Capernaum carried significant cultural and theological weight. Galilee, often referred to as 'Galilee of the Gentiles,' was a region marked by ethnic diversity and Roman influence, making it a place of marginalization for devout Jews. Capernaum, a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee, was strategically located on trade routes, exposing its inhabitants to Hellenistic and Roman cultural practices. The mention of Zebulun and Naphtali invoked Isaiah’s prophecy, which first-century Jews understood as a promise of divine restoration for these historically oppressed territories. The 'darkness' described was not just physical but symbolized spiritual and moral despair under Roman occupation and pagan influences. Jesus' proclamation to 'repent' was a call to radically reorient one’s life toward God’s imminent reign, a message that would resonate deeply with Galileans longing for deliverance. His choice to settle in Capernaum signaled a deliberate mission to bring light to those living in the 'shadow of death,' fulfilling Isaiah’s vision of hope.

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How other translations render this

MAT 4:12

KJV
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
BSB
When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee.
Koinōnos
Now when Jesus heard that John had been handed over, he withdrew into Galilee.

MAT 4:13

KJV
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
BSB
Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
Koinōnos
And leaving Nazareth, he came and settled in Capernaum-by-the-sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,

MAT 4:14

KJV
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
BSB
to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
Koinōnos
so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

MAT 4:15

KJV
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
BSB
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
Koinōnos
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles —

MAT 4:16

KJV
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
BSB
the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
Koinōnos
the people sitting in darkness have seen a great light, and for those sitting in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned upon them.

MAT 4:17

KJV
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
BSB
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Koinōnos
From that time Jesus began to proclaim and to say: "Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 4:12

  • that:The word translated 'that' here carries the sense of being handed over or delivered, often implying betrayal or surrender, rather than a simple transfer.

MAT 4:13

  • he dwelt:The term used here for 'he dwelt' suggests a permanent settlement or making a place one's home, not just a temporary stay.

MAT 4:16

  • darkness:The word translated 'darkness' often refers to a deep, oppressive gloom, not merely the absence of light, and can carry connotations of moral or spiritual blindness.

MAT 4:17

  • do repent;:The command to 'do repent' implies a fundamental change of mind and direction, a turning away from a previous way of thinking and living, rather than just feeling sorry.