| Matthew 4:12 | |
|---|---|
← 4:11 4:13 → | |
 Ruins of FortressMachaerus on the hilltop with theDead Sea in the background.John the Baptist was imprisoned and executed here, according toJosephus.[1] | |
| Book | Gospel of Matthew |
| Christian Bible part | New Testament |
Matthew 4:12 is the twelfth verse ofthe fourth chapter of theGospel of Matthew in theNew Testament. Thetemptation scene has just ended, and this verse begins the introduction to the discussion of theMinistry of Jesus, which makes up the bulk of the gospel narrative. Jesus' ministry inGalilee extends from this verse as far asMatthew 18:35.
The text inKoine Greek, according to theTextus Receptus, reads:[2]
In theKing James Version of the Bible, the text reads:
TheWorld English Bible translates this verse as:
For a collection of other versions, seeBibleHub Matthew 4:12.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this verse in Greek are:
According to the theory ofMarkan Priority, this verse is based closely on the very similarMark 1:14. The verse refers toJohn the Baptist, the central character ofMatthew 3, and to his arrest byHerod Antipas. The Gospel of Matthew does not go into greater detail about John's arrest untilchapter 14.
Althoughverse 11 refers to the end of Jesus' period of temptation in the wilderness, there is not necessarily an immediate connection between this episode and his return north fromJudea to Galilee, where he had lived since his childhood.[5]E. H. Plumptre argues that "there is a great break", although he sees some of the events ofJohn's opening chapters filling this gap.[6] However,Heinrich Meyer holds that "a longer intervening period between the temptation and the return to Galilee is not hinted at by Matthew (nor even by Mark)", and he notes thatLuke's narrative (Luke 4:13-14) more closely connects the defeat ofthe tempter with Jesus' return north.[7] Jones, and most others readers,[who?] believe that some months likely elapsed.[8] There is no historical record of exactly when John was arrested, which would clarify the dating.[9]
Jesus had left Galilee to be baptized inMatthew 3:13. Schweizer notes that the text does not make clear that the arrest of John the Baptist was the cause of Jesus' return to Galilee, only that the two events occurred at the same time.[10] However, France notes that the wordwithdrew in Matthew almost always refers to a retreat from hostile forces, implying that is what is happening here.[11] Both Judea and Galilee were under the control of Herod Antipas at this point, so unlikeMatthew 2:22 this is not a move to the domain of a different ruler, but it is perfectly plausible[according to whom?] that distant Galilee would be safer for John's followers than the area around theJordan.
Matthew also says nothing about what occurred between the temptation and arrest of John. Jesus is often portrayed[by whom?] as serving as one of John's disciples during this period. France agrees with this theory. He thus sees the arrest as causing an important change in Jesus' ministry. In the area by the Jordan it is presumed that Jesus adopted John's baptism-based ministry. France argues the flight to Galilee induced a transition to a ministry based on itinerant preaching.[11]
The term translated as "cast into prison", or more accurately "delivered up", is one that will reappear frequently in the reports of Jesus' own imprisonment.[12] Though Nolland notes that Matthew does not contain the same extensive John/Jesus parallels as Mark.[13]
Rabanus Maurus: Matthew having related the forty days’ fast, the temptation of Christ, and the ministry of Angels, proceeds, Jesus having heard that John was cast into prison.[14]
Pseudo-Chrysostom: By God without doubt, for none can effect anything against a holy man, unless God deliver him up. He withdrew into Galilee, that is, out of Judæa; both that He might reserve His passion to the fit time, and that He might set us an example of flying from danger.[14]
Chrysostom: It is not blameworthy not to throw one's self into peril, but when one has fallen into it, not to endure manfully. He departed from Judæa both to soften Jewish animosity, and to fulfil aprophecy, seeking moreover to fish for those masters of the world who dwelt in Galilee. Note also how when He would depart to the Gentiles, He received good cause from the Jews; His forerunner was thrown into prison, which compelled Jesus to pass into Galilee of the Gentiles.[14]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain:"Catena Aurea: commentary on the four Gospels; collected out of the works of the Fathers. Oxford: Parker, 1874. Thomas Aquinas". Oxford, Parker. 1874.| Preceded by Matthew 4:11 | Gospel of Matthew Chapter 4 | Succeeded by Matthew 4:13 |