Topical Bible: Galilee: Christ: Chose his Apostles From

◄ Galilee: Christ: Chose his Apostles From ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Galilee, a region in ancient Israel, holds significant importance in the New Testament as the area where Jesus Christ chose most of His apostles. This region, known for its diverse population and vibrant culture, served as the backdrop for much of Jesus' early ministry. The choice of Galilee as the place to call His apostles underscores the inclusive and transformative nature of Christ's mission.

Geographical and Cultural Context

Galilee was located in the northern part of ancient Israel, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Sea of Galilee to the east. It was a fertile area, known for its agriculture and fishing industry. The region was a melting pot of Jewish and Gentile cultures, which is reflected in the diverse backgrounds of the people who lived there. This cultural diversity is significant in understanding why Jesus' ministry, which emphasized reaching out to all people, began in Galilee.

Calling of the Apostles

The Gospels record that Jesus called several of His apostles from Galilee, particularly from the area around the Sea of Galilee. These men were ordinary individuals, many of whom were fishermen by trade. Their selection highlights the theme of God choosing the humble and the lowly to accomplish His divine purposes.

1. Peter and Andrew: The brothers Peter and Andrew were among the first disciples called by Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew, "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' And at once they left their nets and followed Him" (Matthew 4:18-20).

2. James and John: The sons of Zebedee, James and John, were also called from their fishing boats. "Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him" (Matthew 4:21-22).

3. Philip and Nathanael: Philip, from Bethsaida, a town in Galilee, was another early disciple. He, in turn, brought Nathanael to Jesus. "The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, 'Follow Me.' Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph'" (John 1:43-45).

Significance of Galilee in Jesus' Ministry

Galilee was not only the place where Jesus called His apostles but also where He performed many miracles and delivered significant teachings. The Sermon on the Mount, the feeding of the five thousand, and numerous healings took place in this region. The choice of Galilee, a place with a reputation for being less sophisticated than Judea, particularly Jerusalem, emphasizes the accessibility of Jesus' message to all people, regardless of their social or cultural standing.

In summary, Galilee's role as the starting point for Jesus' selection of His apostles and the early phase of His ministry highlights the universal reach of the Gospel. The apostles, drawn from this diverse and vibrant region, were instrumental in spreading the message of Christ to the ends of the earth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 4:18,21
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 1:43,44
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and finds Philip, and said to him, Follow me.
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Acts 1:11
Which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jesus Choosing his Friends.
... from among the plain people, largely from among fishermen of Galilee. ... He chose twelve."
Probably ... on the earth"this holy friendship of Jesus Christ started in ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter v jesus choosing his.htm

Second Journey through Galilee - the Healing of the Leper.
... Tempter in the Wilderness, when He chose, not the ... authorities sent their familiars
into Galilee after Jesus ... deputation that the opposition to Christ, which now ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv second journey through.htm

The Apostles Chosen
... followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from ... to him "we have found
the Messias"the Christ. ... and character of the men whom Jesus chose as his ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the apostles chosen.htm

Rise of the Apostolic Literature.
... craves not a learned, letter-writing, literary Christ, but a ... So, too, the Lord chose
none of his apostles ... Plain fishermen of Galilee, unskilled in the wisdom of ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 75 rise of the.htm

"He Ordained Twelve"
... Alone upon a mountain near the Sea of Galilee He spent ... been willing to wear the yoke
of Christ, he might ... out, and in pride and rebellion chose his own selfish ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 30 he ordained twelve.htm

Of the Calling of the Apostles as they were Fishing.
... to writing, they were the disciples of Christ in fact ... time, simply, "And walking
by the sea of Galilee, He saw ... of the whole number of such He chose twelve, whom ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xvii of the calling of.htm

Choice of the Seventy. (Luke, X. ) --Import of the Number "Seventy ...
... disciples had to be selected, and he chose (as in ... with the account of the preaching
in Galilee and the ... in Matt., x., the continuation of Christ's discourse to ...
/.../section 203 choice of the.htm

The Early Welcome and the First Ministers of the King
... forerunner's message; by the simple, remote region which He chose for His ... Observe,
too, that the activity of Christ is confined to Galilee, but the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the early welcome and the.htm

The Fidelity of the Senses, Impugned by Plato, vindicated by ...
... 1609] lest we should even in Christ Himself, bring ... principle it was that Marcion
actually chose to believe ... at the marriage of (Cana in) Galilee; [1617] true ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xvii the fidelity of the.htm

Jesus the Christ.
... whom all the feasts of Israel pointed, chose this eighth ... at Nazareth, coming to
Jerusalem from Galilee, was supposed ... well aware of the fact that Christ was to ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus the christ.htm