Matthew 4:23-25 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom… Though he had called out workers he did not cease himself to work. In all holy ministries Jesus is the Worker. He exercised his personal ministry chiefly in "Galilee." This was in pursuance of prophecy (Isaiah 9:1-7). I. HIS GOSPEL CAME IN WORD. "Teaching... preaching." 1. He taught in synagogues. (1) We may admire the providence that prepared the synagogue. Synagogues, as some think, originated about the time of the Babylonish captivity. (Psalm 74:8). Others give them a more venerable antiquity, associating and identifying them with the proseuchae or open groves, from the earliest times used as oratories, or places for prayer (cf. Exodus 3:1; Joshua 24:26; 2 Chronicles 1:3; Luke 6:12; Acts 16:13). (2) Jesus availed himself freely of the liberty to teach afforded in these. They were, "places of concourse," in which it was proper "Wisdom should lift up her voice" (Proverbs 1:21). The people accustomed to assemble in them would be educated to listen. The reading of the Scriptures in them afforded a fine opportunity for introducing the message of the gospel. We should be quick to improve providential facilities. (3) The disciples of Jesus followed his example in using synagogues. The result was, in many cases, that synagogues became gradually converted into Christian churches (James 2:2). The forms of worship were generally continued, only with the addition of the Supper of the Lord. Merciful are the destructions effected by conversion. 2. He preached in the open air. (1) In this Jonah was his type (Jonah 3:2 4). Jesus might have issued a proclamation. He "went about" in person through the two hundred cities and towns of Galilee. His interest in our welfare is deep and earnest (cf. ch. 5:1; 10:27; 11:1). (2) He proclaimed his kingdom. (a) "The kingdom." That with which no earthly kingdom can compare. Supreme in splendour. Destined to survive all others. (b) The kingdom of grace. "Gospel" - glad tidings. The original name for our religion. Whoever receives it proves it to be so. "The gospel is the charter of that kingdom, containing the King's coronation oath, by which he graciously obliges himself to pardon, protect, and save his subjects. It contains also their oath of allegiance, by which they oblige themselves to observe his statutes and seek his honour" (Henry). (c) The passage through the kingdom of grace into the kingdom of glory. II. HIS GOSPEL CAME WITH POWER. 1. He healed all that he met with. (1) The skill of the most accomplished physicians is baffled by particular diseases. No malady resisted the power of Christ. He cured the chronic, the acute, the intolerable. (2) His cures were complete. No miracle of Christ was ever called in question by those who witnessed it. Some were malicious enough to ascribe the miracles he wrought to Satan, but their reality was confessed (cf. Matthew 11:4, 5; John 3:2; John 5:36). 2. He healed all that were brought to him. (1) Amongst these were the epileptic. The word translated "lunatic" does not describe mental disorder, but a bodily disease on which the moon was supposed to exercise periodical influence (cf. Matthew 17:15). Our Revisers, accordingly, render the term by "epilepsy." Paralysis also owned his power. So likewise spasmodic torments. (2) These typical maladies may be taken as descriptive of typical moral evils. The miracles evinced the power of the Worker to remove also the corresponding moral maladies. (3) Those who hear the fame of Jesus should come to him for spiritual healing. Those who have experienced his healing power should invite their neighbours to the Healer. 3. Even the devils were subject to him. (1) Demons amongst the heathen were not generally evil, but, in their estimation, good spirits, whom they worshipped as gods. Amongst the Jews the term was restricted to evil spirits. (2) Evil spirits actually possessed human beings. So far from demoniacs being simply epileptics, as some suppose, these are distinguished here (cf. Acts 5:16). Personal actions are ascribed to demons. Christ addressed them as persons. (3) Demoniacs were not unknown in more ancient times (see Leviticus 20:27; 1 Samuel 16:14; 1 Samuel 28:7; 1 Kings 22:21-23; Zechariah 13:2). But they abounded in our Lord's day. (4) It is not surprising that Satan should have been permitted, at the period of the advent of Messiah, to exercise this power and malignity against men. It was the time for the bruising of the heel of the woman's Seed - "the hour and power of darkness." It afforded an illustrious opportunity to the Saviour of men to display his superior power in crushing the serpent's head. III. HIS GOSPEL WAS WITH MUCH ASSURANCE. 1. His miracles were demonstrative. (1) They were wrought "among the people" - openly, in the light of day. There was no machinery of obscure theatres - no possibility of collusion. Many were healed - all that came, all that were brought; and the healed were to be seen everywhere among their friends. (2) They were characteristic as the works of Messiah (see Isaiah 35:5, 6). The miracles of Moses were chiefly plagues - works of judgment - suited to the terror of his dispensation. These of Christ were miracles of mercy (Hosea 11:4). The goodness of his works was calculated to lead men to repentance John 10:32; Romans 2:4). 2. Hence the spreading of his fame. (1) It spread throughout Syria - through the whole extent of that Roman province of which Palestine was a part. Hence the people from Decapolis, that portion of Syria north of Galilee, so called because it contained a group of ten cities, the metropolis and most ancient of which was Damascus. (2) Great multitudes from all parts followed him. He deserves the attention of universal man. He deserves the universal attention of the faculties of every man. (3) Those who came for healing had spiritual instruction. They were like the Syrian of earlier times (2 Kings 5:15, 17). They were like Saul, who, seeking the asses, found a kingdom. The kingdom they found was heavenly. Faith gains assurance in the preaching of the King. - J.A.M. Parallel Verses KJV: And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. |
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