John the Baptist in Prison Matthew 4:12

Matthew shared how Jesus was “baptized”, and he wrote, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” Matthew continued, “Then the devil left him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him”, and in chapter four and verse twelve of his book, Matthew shares what Jesus did when He, “heard that John was cast into prison” Jesus where we read:

Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

The verse reads, “ Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, ...” Matthew began with the word, “now” which means “moreover and” “when” or “at the time and moment” “Jesus” which means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “had heard” or “had the faculty of hearing, perceiving, discerning and discovering” “that John” which refers to “John the Baptist” “was cast” or “was thrown, delivered and committed” “into prison” which means “in a jail or incarceration”. Matthew shared how Jesus learned of John the Baptist being thrown “into prison”.

The verse continues, “... he departed into Galilee.” Matthew added the words, “he departed” or “Jesus left and withdrew” “into Galilee which means “the name of a region of northern Palestine, bounded on the north by Syria, on the west by Sidon, Tyre, Ptolemais and their territories and the promontory of Carmel on the south by Samaria and on the east by the Jordan which means circuit”. Matthew shared how Jesus “left” for the region of “Galilee” after hearing about John the Baptist.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus was affected by John the Baptist being put into “prison”. After He heard about it, He left for “Galilee” where He would begin the base for His ministry. This sequence of events was orchestrated by God, and every step along Jesus' journey was foreseen and followed by Jesus. God was determined to bring His Son Jesus into the world so people could be “saved” from their sins, and as we watch the ministry of Jesus unfold, let us remember, God had His plan, and He was working out all the details.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus, “dwelt in Capernaum” Jesus so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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