Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.  He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles— the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As he walked 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 fishers.  And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.  As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. Christ’s decision to begin His mission with teaching and proclaiming the “good news of the kingdom” underscores the transformative power of His message. The announcement of the Kingdom of God was central to His mission, inviting people to align with a new reality under God’s reign. Accompanying His proclamation with healing is significant. It demonstrates the immediate impact of the Kingdom — a restoration and renewal of health and wholeness. Healing served as a tangible sign of God’s compassion and power, illustrating what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like.

Deeper Dive

The passage begins with the news that John the Baptist has been imprisoned. This event seems to be the catalyst for Jesus moving to Galilee to start His ministry. But why Galilee? Galilee was a diverse region, known for its mixture of cultures and peoples. This diversity made it an ideal starting point for a message that was meant for all humanity. Isaiah’s prophecy, quoted in Matthew, highlights Galilee as the “Galilee of the Gentiles,” indicating its importance in God’s plan. Matthew 4:14-16 links Jesus’ move to Galilee with the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. This demonstrates that Jesus’ actions were part of a divine plan, emphasising the notion that the Gospel was for everyone. Galilee became the backdrop for Jesus’ declaration of the Kingdom of God. Jesus calls His first disciples: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Their immediate response is noteworthy and raises the question of why this calling is so significant. The fishermen’s immediate willingness to leave their nets and follow Jesus highlights the compelling nature of His call. Their actions demonstrate a profound commitment and trust, setting an example for future followers. Jesus tells them that they will become “fishers of men.” This metaphor signifies the new mission of gathering people into the Kingdom of God. Fishing requires patience, skill, and perseverance, qualities that would be essential for their new roles as apostles. The passage concludes with Jesus teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the good news, and healing the sick.

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose.  For it has been made clear to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.  What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”  Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptised in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptise but to proclaim the gospel—and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.

Deeper Dive

The Corinthian church is splitting into status-based factions rallying around different leaders Paul treats this as a direct threat to the gospel. Paul urges them to: “be in agreement” and “be united” in “the same mind and the same purpose”. Stop forming rival camps and re-centre on the shared gospel. He’s not guessing; he’s responding to a real situation. Paul lists faction slogans: “I belong to Paul” “I belong to Apollos” “I belong to Cephas” “I belong to Christ”. Paul fires three questions meant to shame the factional logic: “Has Christ been divided?” “Was Paul crucified for you?” “Were you baptised in the name of Paul?” Paul says Christ sent him to proclaim the gospel, “not with eloquent wisdom,” so that the cross of Christ isn’t emptied of its power. The cure for divisions is not picking the best spokesman—it’s returning to the cross, which levels human boasting.

But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied exultation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest as people exult when dividing plunder.

Deeper Dive

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.” Darkness here isn’t just “feeling sad.” In Isaiah’s context it’s the experience of national threat, injustice, fear, and loss. “Deep darkness” is often linked to death-shadow language (you may see “shadow of death” in other versions). It’s the strongest poetic way to say: this is as bad as it gets. “Light has shined” implies a new reality is already breaking in, not merely wished for. Two joy metaphors: Harvest joy: relief after scarcity; communal abundance. Dividing plunder: victory after oppression (not greed; it’s “the war is over and we survived”). “Multiplied the nation” can mean renewed life, stability, and cohesion after collapse—God rebuilding what was shattered.

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.  He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles— the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As he walked 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 fishers.  And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.  As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Deeper Dive

The passage begins with the news that John the Baptist has been imprisoned. This event seems to be the catalyst for Jesus moving to Galilee to start His ministry. But why Galilee? Galilee was a diverse region, known for its mixture of cultures and peoples. This diversity made it an ideal starting point for a message that was meant for all humanity. Isaiah’s prophecy, quoted in Matthew, highlights Galilee as the “Galilee of the Gentiles,” indicating its importance in God’s plan. Matthew 4:14-16 links Jesus’ move to Galilee with the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. This demonstrates that Jesus’ actions were part of a divine plan, emphasizing the notion that the Gospel was for everyone. Galilee became the backdrop for Jesus’ declaration of the Kingdom of God. Jesus calls His first disciples: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Their immediate response is noteworthy and raises the question of why this calling is so significant. The fishermen’s immediate willingness to leave their nets and follow Jesus highlights the compelling nature of His call. Their actions demonstrate a profound commitment and trust, setting an example for future followers. Jesus tells them that they will become “fishers of men.” This metaphor signifies the new mission of gathering people into the Kingdom of God. Fishing requires patience, skill, and perseverance, qualities that would be essential for their new roles as apostles. The passage concludes with Jesus teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the good news, and healing the sick.