Church Fathers Commentary Matthew 4:17

"From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." — Matthew 4:17 (ASV)

Pseudo-Chrysostom: Christ's Gospel should be preached by one who can control his appetites, who condemns the goods of this life, and does not desire empty honors. From this time Jesus began to preach; that is, after being tempted, He had overcome hunger in the desert, despised covetousness on the mountain, and rejected ambitious desires in the temple.

Alternatively, Jesus began preaching from the time John was handed over. For if He had begun to preach while John was still preaching, He would have caused John to be seen as less significant, and John’s preaching would have been thought superfluous alongside Christ’s teaching. This is just as when the sun rises at the same time as the morning star, the star's brightness is hidden.

St. John Chrysostom: For another reason, He also did not preach until John was in prison, so that the crowd would not be split into two factions. Moreover, since John performed no miracles, everyone would have been drawn to Christ by His miracles.

Rabanus Maurus: In this, He also teaches that no one should despise the words of a person inferior to them, as the Apostle also says, If anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent (1 Corinthians 14:30).

Pseudo-Chrysostom: He acted wisely by beginning His preaching at this time, so that He would not trample on John's teaching, but would instead confirm it and show that John had been a true witness.

St. Jerome: He was also showing that He was the Son of the same God whose prophet John was, and therefore He says, Repent.

Pseudo-Chrysostom: He does not immediately preach righteousness, which everyone knew, but repentance, which everyone needed. Who then would dare to say, “I want to be good, but I am not able”?

For repentance corrects the will. And if you will not repent out of fear of evil, you may at least do so for the pleasure of good things. Hence He says, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This means the blessings of the heavenly kingdom are near, as if He said, “Prepare yourselves through repentance, for the time of eternal reward is at hand.”

Remigius of Auxerre: And note, He does not say the kingdom of the Canaanite or the Jebusite is at hand, but the kingdom of heaven. The Law promised worldly goods, but the Lord promises heavenly kingdoms.

St. John Chrysostom: Also, observe how in His first address He says nothing about Himself openly, which was very suitable for the situation, since they did not yet have a correct understanding of Him. Furthermore, in this beginning, He says nothing severe or burdensome—unlike John, who had spoken of the axe laid to the root of the tree. Instead, He begins with what is merciful, preaching the good news of the kingdom of heaven.

St. Jerome: Interpreted mystically, Christ begins to preach as soon as John was handed over to prison, because when the Law ceased, the Gospel began.