Jesus Begins His Ministry

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.

Other Translations of Matthew 4:12

King James Version

Jesus Begins His Ministry

12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

English Standard Version

Jesus Begins His Ministry

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.

The Message

Jesus Begins His Ministry

12 When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee.

New King James Version

Jesus Begins His Ministry

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee.

New Living Translation

Jesus Begins His Ministry

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 4:12

Commentary on Matthew 4:12-17

(Read Matthew 4:12-17)

It is just with God to take the gospel and the means of grace, from those that slight them and thrust them away. Christ will not stay long where he is not welcome. Those who are without Christ, are in the dark. They were sitting in this condition, a contented posture; they chose it rather than light; they were willingly ignorant. When the gospel comes, light comes; when it comes to any place, when it comes to any soul, it makes day there. Light discovers and directs; so does the gospel. The doctrine of repentance is right gospel doctrine. Not only the austere John Baptist, but the gracious Jesus, preached repentance. There is still the same reason to do so. The kingdom of heaven was not reckoned to be fully come, till the pouring out of the Holy Spirit after Christ's ascension.