Topical Bible: Galilee: Christ: Followed by the People of

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Galilee, a region in northern Israel, holds significant importance in the New Testament as the primary setting for much of Jesus Christ's ministry. This area, known for its diverse population and vibrant culture, became a focal point for Jesus' teachings and miracles, drawing large crowds who followed Him with great interest and devotion.

Jesus' Ministry in Galilee

The Gospel accounts highlight Galilee as the starting point of Jesus' public ministry. After His baptism by John the Baptist and the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus returned to Galilee, where He began preaching the message of repentance and the coming of the Kingdom of God. Matthew 4:12-17 states, "When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee... From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'"

The Calling of the Disciples

Galilee was also the place where Jesus called His first disciples, who were primarily fishermen from the region. In Matthew 4:18-22 , Jesus calls Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, as well as James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to follow Him. These men left their nets and families to become "fishers of men," indicating the compelling nature of Jesus' call and the willingness of the people of Galilee to follow Him.

Miracles and Teachings

The people of Galilee witnessed numerous miracles performed by Jesus, which further solidified their interest and belief in Him. The Gospels recount various miraculous events, such as the healing of the sick, the casting out of demons, and the feeding of the five thousand. In John 6:1-2 , it is noted, "After this, Jesus crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee... and a great crowd of people followed Him because they saw the signs He had performed on the sick."

Jesus' teachings in Galilee, including the Sermon on the Mount, delivered on a hillside near the Sea of Galilee, attracted large crowds eager to hear His message. His teachings emphasized the values of the Kingdom of God, such as love, mercy, and righteousness, resonating deeply with the people.

The Response of the People

The response of the Galileans to Jesus' ministry was overwhelmingly positive. Mark 1:28 notes, "And the news about Jesus spread quickly through the whole region of Galilee." The enthusiasm of the people is further illustrated in Mark 3:7-8 , where it is recorded, "Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea, and a large crowd followed from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon."

Despite the initial acceptance and excitement, Jesus also faced skepticism and rejection, particularly in His hometown of Nazareth. In Luke 4:24 , Jesus acknowledges this, saying, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown."

Significance of Galilee in Jesus' Ministry

Galilee's significance in Jesus' ministry is underscored by its role as a place of fulfillment of prophecy and a symbol of light to the Gentiles. Matthew 4:15-16 references the prophecy of Isaiah, stating, "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned."

In summary, Galilee was a central location for Jesus' ministry, where He gathered His first disciples, performed miracles, and taught the multitudes. The people of Galilee, drawn by His message and works, followed Him with great fervor, making the region a pivotal backdrop for the unfolding of the Gospel narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 4:25
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Proofs of Jesus Christ
... The word, Galilee, which the mob pronounced as if by chance ... What preceded and what
followed. ... Jesus Christ typified by Joseph, the beloved of his father, sent by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xii proofs of jesus.htm

Christ Appears in the Synagogue at Nazareth. --His Life is ...
... speak such words of power was soon followed by the ... occasion, applied to the whole
of Galilee, "A prophet is ... This rejection of Christ at Nazareth, due mainly to ...
/.../section 128 christ appears in.htm

Trial Mission of the Apostles in Galilee. (Luke, ix. ; Matt. , X. ...
... the Apostles, not to go to the heathen in Galilee and on the border, necessarily
followed from the ... But, apart from this, Christ could not at that time have ...
/.../section 174 trial mission of.htm

The Early Welcome and the First Ministers of the King
... Then followed the call recorded by Luke, which finally tore them from their ... 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

By the Sea of Galilee - the Final Call of the First Disciples, and ...
... idea of life by the Lake of Galilee, and show ... of Zebedee, could have misunderstood
the call of Christ, or even ... Him as the Messiah, [2264] and they followed Him ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii by the sea.htm

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
... seacoast, westward from the Lake of Galilee.] ^a and ... the healing of the multitudes
which followed him as ... Christ shall show patient mercy and forbearance until ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xl jesus heals multitudes beside.htm

Proof that Christ Frequently Exercised his Ministry in Judea and ...
... their hatred upon him, they followed, and watched ... and confused with those which occurred
in Galilee. Again, the earnest exclamation of Christ, recorded in Luke ...
/.../section 110 proof that christ.htm

Differences as to the Theatre of Christ's Labours.
... to suppose that the tradition which John followed in his ... not give correctly the original
relations of Christ's labours. ... so long in a corner of Galilee, and to ...
/.../section 109 differences as to.htm

The Call by the Sea
... make you fishers of men." Immediately they left all, and followed Him. ... They were
humble and unlearned men, those fishers of Galilee; but Christ, the light ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 25 the call by.htm

Second Journey through Galilee - the Healing of the Leper.
... Not so - followed by a curious crowd, or thronged ... 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