Add parallel Print Page Options

12 (A)When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,(B) 14 that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,(C)
    the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
    Galilee of the Gentiles,
16 the people who sit in darkness
    have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
    light has arisen.”(D)

17 [a]From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,(E) “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The Call of the First Disciples.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 4:17 At the beginning of his preaching Jesus takes up the words of John the Baptist (Mt 3:2) although with a different meaning; in his ministry the kingdom of heaven has already begun to be present (Mt 12:28).
  2. 4:18–22 The call of the first disciples promises them a share in Jesus’ work and entails abandonment of family and former way of life. Three of the four, Simon, James, and John, are distinguished among the disciples by a closer relation with Jesus (Mt 17:1; 26:37).

II. The Mystery of Jesus

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry. 14 (A)After John had been arrested,[a] Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 (B)“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

The Call of the First Disciples.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1:14–15 After John had been arrested: in the plan of God, Jesus was not to proclaim the good news of salvation prior to the termination of the Baptist’s active mission. Galilee: in the Marcan account, scene of the major part of Jesus’ public ministry before his arrest and condemnation. The gospel of God: not only the good news from God but about God at work in Jesus Christ. This is the time of fulfillment: i.e., of God’s promises. The kingdom of God…Repent: see note on Mt 3:2.
  2. 1:16–20 These verses narrate the call of the first Disciples. See notes on Mt 4:18–22 and Mt 4:20.