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1
A Passing of the Torch
Commentators highlight this moment as a crucial transition. John the Baptist, the forerunner, has completed his public work. His imprisonment signals the start of Jesus' main public ministry. As one scholar puts it, 'As the morning star is hidden, the sun shines out the more brightly.' This is a key reason why Matthew begins Jesus' main narrative here.
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Matthew
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Commentaries
8
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 4:12
18th Century
Theologian
John was cast into prison. For an account of the imprisonment of John, see Matthew 14:1-12.
He departed into Galilee. See …
AT Robertson
On Matthew 4:12
Now when he heard (ακουσας δε). The reason for Christ's return to Galilee is given here to be that John had been delivered up into…
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 4:12
19th Century
Preacher
The history is not consecutive, for it was not Matthew's design to make it so. He leaves out much that others record, because not …
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 4:12
John the Baptist’s imprisonment (likely in the fortress of Machaerus) appears to have prompted Jesus to return to Galilee. Though Jesus began his m…
John Calvin
On Matthew 4:12
16th Century
Theologian
When Jesus had heard. These words appear to be at variance with the narrative of the Evangelist John, who declares that John and Christ di…
John Gill
On Matthew 4:12
17th Century
Pastor
Now, when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison ,
&c.] John was cast into prison by Herod; the reason of it…
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 4:12–17
17th Century
Minister
It is just for God to take the gospel and the means of grace from those who disregard them and thrust them away. Christ will not stay long where he…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 4:12–22
13th Century
Philosopher
The Evangelist showed how Christ was tried and approved, specifically by conquering the devil; here he shows how Christ began to teach. In this reg…