Matthew 4:17

“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, etc.] Not from the time he dwelt in Capernaum; for he had preached in Nazareth before he came there, (<420416>Luke 4:16, 31) nor from the time of John’s being cast into prison; for he had preached, and made disciples, who were baptized by his orders, before John’s imprisonment, (<430322>John 3:22, 24-26) (<430401>John 4:1) but from the time that Satan left tempting him; as soon as that combat was over, immediately he went into Galilee, began to preach, and called his disciples. The words with which he began his ministry are the same with which John begun his; which shows the entire agreement between them, in that they not only preached the…”

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand--Thus did our Lord not only take up the strain, but give forth the identical summons of His honored forerunner. Our Lord sometimes speaks of the new kingdom as already come--in His own Person and ministry; but the economy of it was only "at hand" until the blood of the cross was shed, and the Spirit on the day of Pentecost opened the fountain for sin and for uncleanness to the world at large. Calling of Peter and Andrew James and John (Mat 4:18-22).”

“See the notes at Matthew 3:2. return to 'Top of Page'”

“From that time Jesus began to preach - He had preached before, both to Jews and Samaritans, Joh 4:41, Joh 4:45. But from this time begin his solemn stated preaching. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand - Although it is the peculiar business of Christ to establish the kingdom of heaven in the hearts of men, yet it is observable, he begins his preaching in the same words with John the Baptist: because the repentance which John taught still was, and ever will be, the necessary preparation for that inward kingdom. But that phrase is not only used with regard to individuals in whom it is to be established, but also with regard to the Christian Church, the whole body of believers. In the…”

“4:17 Jesus’ message centered on the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven and the repentance that it necessitates (see Matt 3:2; 10:7).”

“that: Mar 1:14 Repent: Mat 3:2, Mat 9:13, Mat 10:7; Mar 1:15; Luk 5:32, Luk 9:2, Luk 10:11-14, Luk 15:7, Luk 15:10, Luk 24:47; Act 2:38, Act 3:19, Act 11:18, Act 17:30, Act 20:21, Act 26:20; Ti2 2:25, Ti2 2:26; Heb 6:1 kingdom: Mat 11:12, Mat 13:9, Mat 13:11, Mat 13:24, Mat 13:47, Mat 25:1 Matthew 4:18”