Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 4:12

"Now when he heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee;" — Matthew 4:12 (ASV)

Between the 11th and 12th verses, there is a significant break, and it is helpful to remember what took place in the interval:

1. The return to John the Baptist and the call of the six disciples (John 1:29–51).
2. The marriage at Cana and the visit to Capernaum (John 2:1–12).
3. The cleansing of the Temple, the interview with Nicodemus, and the last testimony of John the Baptist (John 2:3–13:36).

At this stage comes the imprisonment of John (mentioned here, but not narrated until Matthew 14:3-5) and the subsequent journey through Samaria to Galilee (John 4:1–42).

The verse now before us may be noted for implying a ministry in Judea, which, for some reason, the writer does not narrate.