Matthew 4:12-17 - The Start of Jesus's Ministry
Another Prophecy - Matthew provides us with another prophecy in vs. 14, connecting Mat 4:15 to Isa 9:1-2. Isaiah spoke of Jesus's coming as a "great light" to a "land of deep darkness", and “a light has dawned as a “new thing”. Gentiles are a party to receive this "great light" as well. Jesus is that light (Mal 1:11, Act 15:14). Jesus once again shows that He is going to the “common man”, Capernaum was a city rejected by Pharisees, and yet, this is where the "dawn" of the "great light" takes place.
Capernaum the City
Capernaum, along with a 2nd century synagogue have also been unearthed by archaeologist.
Peter lived here, as did Andrew, John and James (Mar 1:21-22, Mar 1:29).
Jesus Taught With Authority
What does "he taught them as one who had authority" mean? (exousia - From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, …. etc.
A New Course is Set
The term "From that time on" indicates a course change in the making, I.E. “a new dawn”. Jesus's message of the gospel of the Kingdom is the heralding of Himself as King and His coming Messianic Kingdom, following John the Baptist. The call was to the Jewish people to align themselves with the coming of the Messianic Kingdom.
Matthew 4:18-22 - The First Disciples Called
Events Leading to The Calling of the Disciples
The adoption of the 12 into the discipleship of Christ took place gradually. Matthew shows Peter and Andrew following Jesus "at once", however, this is not Peter and Andrew's first encounter with Jesus. Andrew was in the presence of Jesus when John called out to Him as "the Lamb of God" (Joh 1:35-42). Andrew and another of the disciples went with Him for a day, and Andrew determined that John was right. He called Peter and told him that this Jesus was the Messiah. Other disciples had experience with Jesus and they also were familiar with Him (Luk 5:1-11).
The Calling
The disciples road to full time discipleship took some time has well. At first joining Jesus as he went on His ministry trips to other cities and returning back to their fishing. Becoming full time ministers in discipleship occurred gradually and naturally. 1) They knew the Hebrew Scriptures, 2) They had the witness of John the Baptist, 3) There were visible signs, such as the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit coming over Him like a dove, and the voice from heaven, 4) They had time spent with Jesus Himself before He called them.
Matthew 4:23-25 - Jesus's Ministry to Crowds
Jesus in Nazareth Reading Isaiah 61:1-2
According to Jewish law, any man could read the scriptures in a synagogue and exhort the people. Jesus left Capernaum and went to Nazareth and read from Isaiah 61. (Luk 4:16-21). Jesus was quoting a Messianic Prophecy (Isa 61:1-3). This of course would have riled up the religious leaders, who eventually drove Him out of town back to Capernaum (Luk 4:28-30).
Jesus Proclaims the "good news of the kingdom"
Everywhere Jesus went, he told the people that the Kingdom was at hand. This was a proclamation rather than a teaching. Jesus was simply telling them it was near.
Jesus Heals the Sick
A characteristic of the Messianic Kingdom is healing (Isa 35:5-10). Jesus was demonstrating the healing characteristics accompanying the Messianic Kingdom. This highlighted 3 points. 1) They confirmed them message that Jesus was bringing (Joh 14:11), 2) They showed that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah Isa 53:4-5, Isa 61:1, Mat 11:2-5) and 3) They showed just how near the kingdom was, that it had even arrived in the person of Jesus.
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