THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
The Opening of Jesus' Ministry: Mt 4,12-25
Placing the disciples in the centre of the two summaries of Jesus' ministry in Galilee serves to highlight the role of disciples. Indeed the final message of this Gospel will to go and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28,19).
Arrival in Galilee: 4,12-17
Matthew follows Mark by giving prominence to the verb meaning "handed over". Just as John was handed over (4,12) so too will Jesus be "handed over" (Mt 26,15.16). John is the forerunner of Jesus not only by his message but also in his suffering.
The geography here is a bit strange because the sea of Galilee is a fresh water lake. Capernaum at the north of the lake in the traditional territory of Napthali. There is a certain artificiality in the way Matthew has set this up because he is so keen to see Scripture fulfilled, just as he did in chapter 2.
The prophecy in Isaiah (Is 9,2-7) is one of the great messianic oracles concerning the coming of the king's son. Galilee is Jewish territory. Yet Galilee is "of the nations" which indicates the openness of the message of Jesus. This as we have noted will be finally fulfilled at the end of the Gospel.
The call of the First Disciples: 4,18-22
Disciples need to be called at this point because the Sermon on the Mount in the following chapter will be addressed in the first place to them. This is a different approach to Luke's Gospel where the disciples are called only after they have had the opportunity to hear Jesus, after they have themselves been "evangelised".
The evangelist tells of the call of the disciples taking the call of Elisha by Elijah as a pattern (1K 19,19-21). The four elements in the call to follow Jesus are:
- The appearance of Jesus (vv 18, 21)
- Introduction of the fishermen (vv 18, 21)
- The call "Follow me" (vv 19, 21)
- Immediate obedient response to the call (vv 20,22)
Elijah's call of Elisha is a contrast to this because Elisha follows Elijah only after he has bid farewell to his parents (1 K 19,20). In the Gospels, the call of Jesus is more radical (see for example 10,37).
The two encounters take place in places of work. In both stories, Jesus sees and he calls. Immediately (verses 20 and 22), the two sets of brothers leave everything and follow him.
Matthew makes a point of saying Simon is also called Peter (4,18). This may be in anticipation of 16,18 "You are Peter and on this rock..."
Transition: 4,23-25)
This summary is placed as a transition from the call of the disciples to the Sermon on the Mount which begins next. There is no break between 4,25 and 5,1, because the crowds are mentioned in both verses.
4,23 is repeated in 9,35, which makes a bracket around what comes in between. The three chapters of the sermon on the mount are followed by two chapters where Jesus heals as well as speaking of the demands of being his disciples. Jesus is presented in these five chapters as Messiah in word and deed.
In these summary verses, the evangelist presents Jesus' ministry as threefold: teaching, proclaiming (preaching) and healing (verse 23).
In verses 24 and 25, Matthews paints a vivid picture of Jesus curing the sick and so attracting great crowds from all over, even Syria to the north and beyond the Jordan to the east.
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