Topical Bible: Galilee: Christ: Preached Throughout

◄ Galilee: Christ: Preached Throughout ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Galilee, a region in ancient Israel, holds significant importance in the New Testament as the primary area where Jesus Christ conducted much of His ministry. This region, located in the northern part of Israel, is characterized by its diverse population and vibrant towns, including Nazareth, Capernaum, and Cana. Galilee's geographical and cultural setting provided a unique backdrop for Jesus' teachings and miracles, making it a focal point in the Gospels.

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 subsequent temptation in the wilderness, Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit, to begin His mission (Luke 4:14). The Gospel of Matthew records, "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near'" (Matthew 4:17). This proclamation set the tone for His message throughout the region.

Preaching and Teaching

Jesus' teaching in Galilee was marked by His use of parables and direct engagement with the people. The Sermon on the Mount, one of His most famous discourses, was delivered on a hillside in Galilee (Matthew 5-7). This sermon encapsulated the core of Jesus' ethical teachings and His call to righteousness, emphasizing the values of the Kingdom of Heaven.

In the synagogues of Galilee, Jesus taught with authority, astonishing the crowds with His wisdom and understanding of the Scriptures. Mark 1:39 states, "So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons" . His teachings often challenged the religious leaders of the time, emphasizing the spirit of the law over mere ritualistic observance.

Miracles and Signs

Galilee was also the setting for many of Jesus' miracles, which served to authenticate His divine authority and compassion. In Cana, He performed His first recorded miracle by turning water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2:1-11). This act revealed His glory and led His disciples to believe in Him.

Capernaum, often referred to as Jesus' "own city" (Matthew 9:1), was a central hub for His miraculous works. Here, He healed the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13), Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31), and a paralytic lowered through the roof by his friends (Mark 2:1-12). These miracles demonstrated His power over sickness and sin, drawing large crowds to witness His works and hear His teachings.

Calling of the Disciples

Galilee was also the place where Jesus called His first disciples, who would become the foundation of the early Church. Walking by the Sea of Galilee, He called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, saying, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Similarly, He called James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to join His mission. These men, along with others, left their livelihoods to follow Jesus, illustrating the transformative power of His call.

Rejection and Acceptance

Despite the many who followed Him, Jesus also faced rejection in Galilee. In His hometown of Nazareth, He was met with skepticism and unbelief. Luke 4:24 records Jesus saying, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown" . This rejection, however, did not deter His mission, as He continued to preach and perform miracles throughout the region.

Significance in the Gospels

Galilee's significance in the Gospels is underscored by its role as the setting for Jesus' resurrection appearances. After His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus instructed His disciples to meet Him in Galilee, where He gave them the Great Commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This command marked the transition of His ministry from a regional focus to a global mission.

In summary, Galilee was a pivotal region in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It was here that He preached, taught, performed miracles, and called His disciples, laying the groundwork for the spread of the Gospel. The events in Galilee highlight the fulfillment of prophecy and the inauguration of the Kingdom of God through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 1:39
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 4:44
And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Hail, the Galilean
... The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son ... abroad throughout all the region
round about Galilee. ... And he preached in their synagogues throughout all ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter i hail the galilean.htm

On the Resurrection of Christ from the Dead.
... and the Life-Giver, and as such preached to all ... the Apostles had at once returned
to Galilee, where the ... the Resurrection: by fraud, and that Christ's was not ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvi on the resurrection.htm

Third Circuit of Galilee. The Twelve Instructed and Sent Forth.
... The masses of the people of Galilee had been ... they were representatives directly of
Christ, and indirectly of ... throughout the villages, ^b and preached that men ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxi third circuit of galilee.htm

Easter Monday
... good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is ... was published throughout all Judaea,
beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 even ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter monday.htm

Of Christ's Subsequent Manifestations of Himself to the Disciples ...
... And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord ... the sentence, "He goeth before
you into Galilee, there shall ... just this, that the grace of Christ was to ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxv of christs subsequent manifestations.htm

Christ's Authority to Forgive
... not so much as about the door; and He preached the word ... but, whether it were so or
no, Christ saw that ... out of every village of Galilee and Judaea and Jerusalem ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christs authority to forgive.htm

Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour through Galilee.
... the people seemed to them to be Christ's first duty. ... b into their synagogues throughout
all Galilee, ^a teaching ... that on week days Jesus often preached in the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxiii jesus makes a preaching.htm

Despised and Rejected by Friend and Foe
... say unto you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole ... that
I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.". ... "Art thou the Christ, the Son ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xiv despised and rejected.htm

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ.
... any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you ... only live, I
would establish and perpetuate an empire." The Christ of Galilee said: "My ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of jesus christ.htm

The Propagation of Christianity.
... years, had spread itself through Judea, Galilee, and Samaria ... I have fully preached
the Gospel of Christ." In the ... ye have heard, and which was preached to every ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter ix the propagation of.htm