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More Matthew commentaries
Matthew 1:1-17
The Genealogy of the Messiah
Matthew 1:18-25
The Importance of the Virgin Birth
Matthew 2:1-12
The Anticipation of the Messiah
Matthew 2:13-23
Flight to Egypt
Matthew 3:1-6
The Preperation of the Messiah
Matthew 3:7-12
The Pharisees and Sadducees
Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of Christ
Matthew 4:1-11
Three Major Tests
Matthew 4:12-17
Persecution of Followers
Matthew 4:18-25
Ministry in the Synagogue
Matthew 5:1-12
Character of a Christian
Matthew 5:13-20
Fishing for Men
Matthew 5:21-26
To Murder in the Mind
Matthew 5:27-32
Divorce and Remarriage
Matthew 5:33-42
Unfair and Unreasonable Treatment
Matthew 5:43-48
Love Your Enemies
Matthew 6:5-18
Practice of Prayer
Matthew 6:19-24
The Love of Wealth
Matthew 7:1-6
Judging and Hypocrisy
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Ministry in the Synagogue
Matthew 4:18–25
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
True biblical worship so satisfies our total personality that we don’t have to shop around for man-made substitutes. William Temple made this clear in his masterful definition of worship: For worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience b … More
The Sea of Galilee is an oval shaped body of water approximately eight miles wide and thirteen miles long. Historians tell us that in the first century some 240 boats regularly fished in its waters. It was here that Jesus publicly called His first two disciples Peter and Andrew (v. 18). Soon after this he called James and John who were also fisherman. Out of the twelve disciples possibly seven of them were professional fisherman. Perhaps one of the reasons for Him calling so many fisherman was that they were busy people and not afraid to work. It has been said that in recent years the majority of missionaries have come from the farm. Perhaps this is for the same reason.
Jesus’ chief place of ministry was in the synagogue (v. 23). The synagogue not only was the primary place of worship but was also a place of study, community fellowship and where legal activity took place. Worship took place in the synagogue every Sabbath which began at sundown on Friday and ended at sundown on Saturday. This also served as a public school for boys.
In almost any community of any size they would have a synagogue. Often visiting dignitaries or rabbis would be given an opportunity to speak. In the early part of Jesus’ ministry He was welcomed in most of the synagogues and so this is where he launched His preaching and teaching ministry. It was a great tragedy for a Jew not to be allowed to fellowship in the synagogue.
Application
If Jesus came by my home or to my place of work what would be my reaction? How do you think the majority of the people would respond?
Matthew 4:18-25 (English Standard Version)
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
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