Mat 4:23-25 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Matt 4:23-25: 4:23-25 This summary marks the central theme of the section (4:23–9:38 ): the ministry and message of the Messiah. In ancient writings, chapter divisions were unknown; authors would instead begin and end a section with the same expression (called an inclusio ; see 9:35 ). 4:23 The Messiah’s ministry has three main features: teaching , announcing . . . the Kingdom , and healing. • The synagogues were centers for prayer, study, and exposition of Scripture and tradition. They were the social centers of many Jewish villages. The hypocrisy and hostility of the Jewish leaders was evident at the synagogues (6:2 , 5 ; 10:17 ; 12:9-14 ; 13:54 ; 23:6 , 34 ). • Announcing the Good News means presenting the message about the Kingdom of Heaven (9:35 ; 24:14 ; 26:13 ; also Mark 1:1 ; Rom 1:16 ). Most often, the message evokes hostility (see Matt 9:32-34 ; 10:27-28 ; 13:1-9 , 18-23 ).

Summary for Matt 4:23-25: 4:23-25 ^a This summary marks the central theme of the section (4:23–9:38 ^b): the ministry and message of the Messiah. In ancient writings, chapter divisions were unknown; authors would instead begin and end a section with the same expression (called an inclusio; see 9:35 ^c). 4:23 ^d The Messiah’s ministry has three main features: teaching, announcing . . . the Kingdom, and healing.

• The synagogues were centers for prayer, study, and exposition of Scripture and tradition. They were the social centers of many Jewish villages. The hypocrisy and hostility of the Jewish leaders was evident at the synagogues (6:2 ^e, 5 ^f; 10:17 ^g; 12:9-14 ^h; 13:54 ⁱ; 23:6 ^j, 34 ^k).

• Announcing the Good News means presenting the message about the Kingdom of Heaven (9:35 ^l; 24:14 ^m; 26:13 ⁿ; also Mark 1:1 ^o; Rom 1:16 ^p). Most often, the message evokes hostility (see Matt 9:32-34 ^q; 10:27-28 ^r; 13:1-9 ^s, 18-23 ^t).
Summary for Matt 4:24-25: 4:24-25 ^u During Jesus’ day, much of Palestine was in the Roman jurisdiction of Syria (a term that could refer to the entire eastern shore of the Mediterranean). Matthew mentions Syria to show how widespread the news of Jesus was.

• The word translated epileptic refers to epilepsy or demonic oppression. In 17:15 ^v, one so described “falls into fire and water,” that is, the boy was unable to control himself.

• The Ten Towns was a federation of ten cities, most of which were east of the Jordan and southeast of the Sea of Galilee (Damascus, Raphana, Hippos, Abila [or Canatha], Gadara, Scythopolis, Pella, Dion, Gerasa, and Philadelphia [Amman]). These cities were predominantly Gentile and Hellenistic in culture.