St. Paul's Des Peres Bible Study from KFUO Radio

Matthew 4:12-25

·47 min·4 clips

Why did Jesus withdraw to Galilee after John's arrest, fulfilling a 700-year-old prophecy about light in darkness?

The episode opens with Rev. Dr. David Smith noting John the Baptist's arrest and Jesus's withdrawal to Galilee, specifically Capernaum. He connects this to Isaiah 9:1-2, explaining that Zebulun and Naphtali were northern tribes with a history of rebellion under Jeroboam, who set up idol worship. Smith details the Assyrian conquest in the 8th century BC, which led to a mixed Jewish-Gentile population in Galilee by Jesus's time. Jesus's message, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,' is highlighted as declaring his own presence as the reign of God. The call of the first disciples—Peter, Andrew, James, and John—is examined, with Smith discussing whether they were previously disciples of John the Baptist and distinguishing their apostolic call from general Christian discipleship. Jesus's ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing is described, including his fame spreading to Syria and the Decapolis. Smith addresses misconceptions about demon possession versus natural causes, noting Jesus's divine knowledge in healing. The episode transitions to Matthew's structure, with five teaching sections, starting with the Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5-7. Smith teases that this sermon will challenge common interpretations. A listener question about the repopulation of northern Israel leads to a discussion of historical migrations under Assyrian, Babylonian, Greek, and Roman rule. The study ends with Easter blessings and a plan to resume in two weeks.

As heard by us

A steady review links Galilee's history with the particular calling of Jesus' first four disciples.

Matthew's account becomes a study in place and purpose, following Jesus from Nazareth to Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.

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Why you'd press play

You want Matthew's northern setting explained before the first four are called to cast the nets.

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