Dr Paul Allen

The Flight into Egypt by Giotto di Bondone (1304-06, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua). (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 17:14–21 “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” ( v. 20 ). Matthew’s gospel depicts the essential part faith plays in the events of Jesus ’ life as well as in His teaching. Joseph believed that Mary’s son was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit , not by an illicit affair ( 1:18–25 ). Christ trusted the Father to sustain Him in His temptation ( 4:1–11 ) and marveled at the faith so often displayed by those outside of God ’s covenant with Israel ( 8:5–13 ; 15:21–28 ). Peter was given the ability to identify Jesus as the Messiah, though His grasp of all that means was initially incomplete ( 16:13–23 ). Faith is the focus of this passage of Matthew. Having come down from the Mount of Transfiguration ( 17:9–13 ), Jesus and His disciples

From The Historical Atlas by William R. Shepherd, 1923. via http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/history_middle_east.html Category:Historical maps by William R. Shepherd (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 4:12–17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (v. 17). Upon hearing of John the Baptist ’s arrest, Jesus returns to minister in  Galilee ( Matt. 4:12). It is important to note that this is a “new phase” of ministry, for our Savior does not enter Galilee immediately after His baptism . According to John’s gospel , Jesus has already spent time ministering in  Jerusalem and Judea after His baptism (1:29–42). In fact, the ministry of our Lord and His forerunner actually overlap (3:22–24), if only for a brief period. When Jesus comes to Galilee, He settles in a small village on the northwest edge of the Sea of Galilee named Capernaum (Matt. 4:13). Matthew tells us this fulfills biblical prophecy, specifically the words

Capernaum, Sea of Galilee (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 4:18–22 “Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him” (v. 22). Jesus ’ ministry begins a new phase when He settles in Capernaum ( Matt. 4:13) in Galilee , because it is there that the people begin to take notice of Him. In His day, Galilee is a bustling commercial area bordered by Syria and Phoenicia , offering ample opportunities for Jesus to interact with Jews and Gentiles alike. Travelers on trade routes can spread news of His ministry outside of Galilee. Moreover, the leaders in Jerusalem, as we shall see, strongly oppose Jesus, but in Galilee He can minister more freely and not have to be constantly looking out for those who might kill Him before the appointed time. When Christ begins His ministry He delivers virtually the same message as John the Baptist — “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v. 17) — because both the old covenant and the new speak of the same kingdom. John, the