The term "Galilean" refers to an individual originating from the region of Galilee, a significant area in the northern part of ancient Israel. Galilee is prominently featured in the New Testament as the setting for much of Jesus Christ's ministry. The region is bordered by the Sea of Galilee to the east and is known for its fertile land and diverse population during the time of Jesus.

Geographical and Historical Context

Galilee was divided into Upper and Lower Galilee, with Upper Galilee being more mountainous and Lower Galilee consisting of rolling hills and valleys. The Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Gennesaret or the Sea of Tiberias, is a freshwater lake that played a central role in the life and ministry of Jesus. The region was known for its agricultural productivity, with crops such as olives, grapes, and grains being cultivated.

Historically, Galilee was a melting pot of cultures and peoples, including Jews, Greeks, and other Gentiles. This diverse population contributed to the distinct cultural and linguistic characteristics of the Galileans, who were often recognized by their unique accent (Matthew 26:73).

Galilee in the Ministry of Jesus

Galilee is of paramount importance in the New Testament as the primary location of Jesus' early ministry. Jesus was raised in Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and much of His teaching and miracles occurred in this region. The Gospel of Matthew notes, "Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali" (Matthew 4:13). Capernaum, located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, served as a central hub for Jesus' activities.

Significant events in Jesus' ministry took place in Galilee, including the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21), and numerous healings and exorcisms. The region's towns and villages, such as Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle of turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), are frequently mentioned in the Gospels.

Galileans in the New Testament

The term "Galilean" is used in the New Testament to describe Jesus and His disciples, who were primarily from this region. In Acts 1:11, the angels refer to the disciples as "men of Galilee" following Jesus' ascension. The Galilean identity of Jesus and His followers was sometimes used pejoratively by others, as seen when Peter is identified as a Galilean during Jesus' trial (Mark 14:70).

Galileans were often perceived as less sophisticated or educated compared to the Judeans, particularly those from Jerusalem. This perception is evident in the skepticism expressed by Nathanael when he hears of Jesus of Nazareth: "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46).

Theological Significance

The choice of Galilee as the primary setting for Jesus' ministry holds theological significance. It underscores the inclusive nature of Jesus' message and mission, reaching out to a diverse and often marginalized population. Galilee's mixed population reflects the broader scope of the Gospel, which transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries.

Furthermore, the fulfillment of prophecy is highlighted in Jesus' Galilean ministry. Matthew 4:15-16 cites Isaiah's prophecy: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light" . This passage emphasizes the messianic role of Jesus as a light to both Jews and Gentiles.

In summary, the term "Galilean" encompasses the geographical, cultural, and theological dimensions of Jesus' life and ministry, highlighting the significance of Galilee in the narrative of the New Testament.An inhabitant or native of Galilee. This word was used as a name of contempt as applied to our Lord's disciples (Luke 22:59; Acts 2:7). All the apostles, with the exception of Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:11), were Galileans. Peter was detected by his Galilean accent (Matthew 26:69; Mark 14:70).

This was also one of the names of reproach given to the early Christians. Julian the Apostate, as he is called, not only used the epithet himself when referring to Christ and his apostles, but he made it a law that no one should ever call the Christians by any other name.

1. (a.) Of or pertaining to Galileo; as, the Galilean telescope. See Telescope.

2. (a.) of or relating to Galilee.

3. (n.) A native or inhabitant of Galilee, the northern province of Palestine under the Romans.

4. (n.) One of the party among the Jews, who opposed the payment of tribute to the Romans; -- called also Gaulonite.

5. (n.) A Christian in general; -- used as a term of reproach by Mohammedans and Pagans.

GALILEAN

gal-i-le'-an.

See GALILEE.

1057. Galilaios -- Galilean
... Galilean. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Galilaios Phonetic Spelling:
(gal-ee-lah'-yos) Short Definition: a Galilean Definition: a Galilean ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1057.htm - 6k

The First Galilean Ministry.
... CHAPTER XI. THE FIRST GALILEAN MINISTRY. (Matthew 4:13-17; Mark 1:14, 15; Luke
4:15-32.) ... It struck the key-note to the whole of His Galilean ministry. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the first galilean.htm

Hail, the Galilean
... CHAPTER I HAIL, THE GALILEAN. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ,
the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets, "Behold ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter i hail the galilean.htm

Concerning Theudas and the Sons of Judas the Galilean; as Also ...
... CHAPTER 5. Concerning Theudas And The Sons Of Judas The Galilean; As Also
What Calamity Fell Upon The Jews On The Day Of The Passover. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 concerning theudas and.htm

Book 18 Footnotes
... calls this Judas, who was the pestilent author of that seditious doctrine and temper
which brought the Jewish nation to utter destruction, a Galilean; but here ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 18 footnotes.htm

The Dialect of the Galileans, Differing from the Jewish.
... "A certain Galilean said...They answered him, O foolish Galilean..." The sense is,
When the Galilean asked, "Whose is Immar, 'this lamb?'" he pronounced the ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 87 the dialect of.htm

General Survey of the Ministry 106 the Attempt to Arrange an ...
... The story of the Galilean ministry is given chiefly by the first three gospels,
John contributing but two incidents to the period covered by that ministry,"a ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i general survey of the.htm

The Second visit to Cana - Cure of the Nobleman's' Son at ...
... It formed the introduction to that Galilean ministry, when the Galileans received
Him, having seen all the things that He did at Jerusalem at the Feast.' [2013 ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the second visit.htm

Way-Marks in John's Narrative.
... They are absorbed chiefly with the tireless gracious Galilean ministry of Jesus,
till the last great events force them to Jerusalem. And the reason is plain. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/way-marks in johns narrative.htm

The First Per??an Discourses - to the Pharisees Concerning the Two ...
... Per??a. We remember that, similarly, the beginning of Christ's Galilean Ministry
had been chiefly marked by Discourses and Parables. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the first peraean.htm

John Chapter vii. 40-53; viii. 11-Jan
... They answered, from the prejudice of their heart, what they had answered to those
officers, "Art thou also a Galilean?" That is, one seduced as it were by the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxxiii john chapter vii.htm

Galilean (5 Occurrences)
... Peter was detected by his Galilean accent (Matthew 26:69; Mark 14:70). ... 1. (a.) Of
or pertaining to Galileo; as, the Galilean telescope. See Telescope. ...
/g/galilean.htm - 9k

Chronology
... 4. Death of John the Baptist: The imprisonment of John the Baptist, which preceded
the beginning of Jesus' Galilean work, was continued for a time (Matthew 11:2 ...
/c/chronology.htm - 74k

Sermon (1 Occurrence)
... III. Time and Occasion. Both Matthew and Luke agree in assigning the delivery
of the Sermon to the first half of the Galilean ministry. ...
/s/sermon.htm - 39k

Galilee (73 Occurrences)
... Com.). The Galilean accent differed from that of Jerusalem in being broader
and more guttural (Mark 14:70). Galilee, Sea of. (Matthew ...
/g/galilee.htm - 67k

Herod (45 Occurrences)
... By a decisive victory over the Arabians, he showed, as he had done in his earlier
Galilean government, what manner of man he was, when aroused to action. ...
/h/herod.htm - 57k

Truly (468 Occurrences)
... After a little while again those who stood by said to Peter, "You truly are one
of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it." (WEB BBE DBY YLT). ...
/t/truly.htm - 36k

Zebedee (11 Occurrences)
... A Galilean fisherman, the husband of Salome (qv), and the father of James and John,
two of our Lord's disciples (Matthew 4:21; 27:56; Mark 15:40). ...
/z/zebedee.htm - 11k

Zealot (4 Occurrences)
... Although Simon, like the majority of the apostles, was probably a Galilean, the
designation "Cananaean" is regarded as of political rather than of geographical ...
/z/zealot.htm - 12k

Nazareth (29 Occurrences)
... Moreover, there does not seem to be any evidence that the inhabitants of Galilee
were in any respect inferior, or that a Galilean was held in contempt, in the ...
/n/nazareth.htm - 24k

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