Topical Bible: Galilee: Christ: Sought Refuge In

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Topical Encyclopedia

Galilee, a region in ancient Israel, holds significant importance in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It is not only the place where He spent much of His early life and conducted a substantial portion of His public ministry, but it also served as a place of refuge during times of opposition and danger.

Geographical and Historical Context

Galilee is located in the northern part of Israel, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Jordan River to the east, and Samaria to the south. In the time of Jesus, Galilee was a fertile and populous region, known for its diverse population and vibrant culture. The area was divided into Upper and Lower Galilee, with the Sea of Galilee being a central feature of the region.

Jesus' Early Life and Ministry in Galilee

Jesus was raised in Nazareth, a town in Lower Galilee, where He lived until the beginning of His public ministry. Galilee was the setting for many of His teachings, miracles, and interactions with both His disciples and the multitudes. The Gospels record numerous events in Galilee, including the calling of the first disciples, the Sermon on the Mount, and the feeding of the five thousand.

Galilee as a Place of Refuge

Throughout His ministry, Jesus faced increasing opposition from religious leaders and political authorities. Galilee provided a strategic location for Jesus to continue His work while avoiding immediate threats from those who sought to harm Him. The region's relative distance from Jerusalem, the center of religious and political power, allowed Jesus to minister more freely.

In the Gospel of John, we see an example of Jesus seeking refuge in Galilee after facing hostility in Judea. John 7:1 states, "After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him." This passage highlights the tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders and underscores Galilee's role as a sanctuary during this period of His ministry.

Significance of Galilee in Jesus' Ministry

Galilee's significance extends beyond being a place of refuge. It was in Galilee that Jesus first proclaimed the message of the Kingdom of God, performed many of His miracles, and taught in parables. The region's diverse population provided a fertile ground for spreading His message to both Jews and Gentiles, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2).

Moreover, after His resurrection, Jesus instructed His disciples to meet Him in Galilee, where He gave them the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). This further emphasizes Galilee's pivotal role in the unfolding of the Gospel narrative and the establishment of the early Church.

In summary, Galilee served as a crucial backdrop for Jesus' life and ministry, providing a place of refuge and a platform for His teachings and miracles. Its role in the Gospel accounts underscores the strategic and prophetic significance of this region in the divine plan of salvation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 4:1,3
When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Gadarene Demoniac. --Christ's Treatment of Him after the Cure. ...
... CHRIST'S FIRST GENERAL MINISTRY IN GALILEE. ... Christ landed on the eastern shore, near
the town of Gadara ... haunts of men by the direful powers, he sought a dreary ...
/.../section 132 the gadarene demoniac.htm

Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee.
... Samaria, which lay between Jud??a and Galilee, and reached ... but dimly comprehended
the nature of Christ's offer, but ... such a feeling, this woman sought to have ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxvi jesus sets out from 2.htm

Jesus visits Nazareth and is Rejected.
... and fresh starts, was a type of Christ's ministry and ... for them to despise, so they
sought refuge from their ... he was hailed as the prophet of Galilee, mighty in ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lx jesus visits nazareth and.htm

"Let not Your Heart be Troubled"
... the office work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus sought to inspire ... says, "I will go before
you into Galilee." Matt.26 ... of one who has divine authority, Christ gives His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 73 let not your.htm

John Chapter vii. 40-53; viii. 11-Jan
... the Scriptures, and see that out of Galilee ariseth no ... For the name of Christ is
from chrism; chrisma in ... to be gentle; an accusation must be sought against him ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxxiii john chapter vii.htm

"Is not this the Carpenter's Son?"
... Across the bright days of Christ's ministry in Galilee, one shadow lay ... He sought
to encourage his hearers by rehearsing the evidence that the Messiah's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 24 is not this.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... from among the illiterate fishermen of Galilee, and promised ... How did Christ bear
all these little and great ... of sincere repentance he had sought his pardon. ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

The King in Exile
... in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 23. ... 'They are dead that sought
the young ... of the end of all succeeding efforts to crush Christ and thwart ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the king in exile.htm

Among Snares
... yet He would be found of them that sought Him not ... to real godliness now than in the
days of Christ. ... Nicodemus with cutting sarcasm, "Art thou also of Galilee? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 50 among snares.htm

The Season of Epiphany.
... of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested ... especially set apart for
adoring the glory of Christ. ... the coming of the wise men, who sought Him with ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon vi the season of.htm