“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.”
The final verses of chapter four are a summary of Jesus’ Galilean ministry, viewing both his activities and travels.
4:23
And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Jesus ministered throughout Galilee (40 by 70 miles) with about three million people in 204 villages and cities.
Jesus engaged in three ministries:
teaching,
preaching, and
healing.
The synagogue was the local meeting place for Jewish people. It was the most important institution in a Jewish community. The main function in the synagogue was instruction, not worship. The Temple was the place of worship, the place of sacrifices. Priests had no official standing in the synagogue but were honored while there. The officers of the synagogue were elected by the congregation or council. The leader of the synagogue was a learned expounder. Jesus often spoke in the synagogue (Mt 13:54; Mk 6:2; Lu 4:15,16-22; Jn 18:20). Apostles also spoke in synagogues (Ac 13:5, 15; 14:1; 17:10, 11, 17; 18:19).
Jesus taught in synagogues because from Scripture He presented Himself as Messiah to Israel. He also proclaimed the good news of His kingdom. He healed in order to establish the authentication of His Messiahship. The purpose of His healing was not to alleviate suffering. His purpose was not to heal everyone in Palestine, but the purpose of healing was to present His credentials as the Messiah. Jesus’ enemies never doubted His healing ministry because of the sheer numbers He healed.
4:24
So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.
The Roman province of Syria covered all Palestine except Galilee. Jesus’ fame spread to the North of Galilee. Jesus’ reputation and honor grew extensively in greater Galilee even unto Syria.
Note that “they brought him all the sick.” The word “all” indicates massive numbers. He healed them all.
4:25
And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis,
The “great crowds that followed Jesus did not necessarily commit to Jesus. Many were simply curious of the phenomenon that surrounded Him. “Decapolis” was a district of 10 cities in northeast Galilee eastward of the Jordan River.
and from Jerusalem and Judea,
People came from southernmost Palestine as well.
and from beyond the Jordan.
People also came from the east across Jordan. These came a long way.
PRINCIPLE:
Many people are attracted to Jesus because of phenomenal experience rather than for the reality of Christianity.
APPLICATION:
Many in the Christian church today are there because of reasons other than the truth of Christianity. They see phenomena that are not equivalent to the essence of Christianity, and so they jump on board. As a result, the church is filled with fakers. The reality of the kingdom is Jesus Himself. If we do not know Him personally, we do not have the reality of Christianity.
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” Lk 17:20-21
