Bible Verse Lookup
Mt 9:35; 4:17
Chapter 4
17
From that time on, Jesus began to proclaim his message:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Chapter 9
35
Narrative Summary of Jesus’ Activity
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and announcing the good news of the kingdom; he also healed every sickness and disease.
Commentaries
His Proclamation Begins.
Capernaum, by the lake, will be his city (9:1). Galilee, once pagan or at least paganized, a meeting place of peoples and cultures, will serve as the setting and platform for his revelation, similar to the great oracle of Isaiah 8:23-9:1. Thus begins the fulfillment of the universal mission to preach the Gospel to the whole world (28:18f).
Narrative Summary of Jesus’ Activity – Jesus’ Compassion.
These four verses serve as an interlude, closing one section and opening another. Jesus, the Messiah, has announced the beginning of God’s reign with words and actions. His first sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, has been validated through signs and miracles. The success of his power to heal people from all kinds of diseases and ailments has drawn a large crowd of the poor and needy. This sets the stage for the next section: the missionary sending of the Twelve, close followers who will learn from Jesus the scope of the mission, how to carry it out, and God’s initiative, signaled by his call.