Mat 4:13 | KingComments | STEP | The imprisonment of John is the time for the Lord to begin His public ministry. The rejection of John casts the shadow of His own rejection forward. John is the forerunner of the Lord, both in his mission and in his rejection ( ). The area where He will carry out His ministry is outside Jerusalem and Judea. He goes to the north of the country. The north is a transit route for the nations. There live the poor and despised of the flock, the remnant, who are already clearly distinguished from the rulers of the people in Matthew 3-4. The area where He is going is foretold by Isaiah ( ). With His coming a great light shines for a people walking in darkness. For those in the land of the shadow of death a light dawns. With Him hope dawns in a hopeless situation. He will live and work there. His preaching is the same as that of John ( ). The voice of John has been silenced, but the Lord takes over the preaching and continues it more powerfully.

‏ Matthew 4:13

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The imprisonment of John is the time for the Lord to begin His public ministry. The rejection of John casts the shadow of His own rejection forward. John is the forerunner of the Lord, both in his mission and in his rejection (Mt 17:12).

The area where He will carry out His ministry is outside Jerusalem and Judea. He goes to the north of the country. The north is a transit route for the nations. There live the poor and despised of the flock, the remnant, who are already clearly distinguished from the rulers of the people in Matthew 3-4.

The area where He is going is foretold by Isaiah (Isa 9:1-2). With His coming a great light shines for a people walking in darkness. For those in the land of the shadow of death a light dawns. With Him hope dawns in a hopeless situation.

He will live and work there. His preaching is the same as that of John (Mt 3:1). The voice of John has been silenced, but the Lord takes over the preaching and continues it more powerfully.