Matthew 4
Ministry in the Synagogues
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 An …
Jesus Begins His Ministry
A widespread persecution of the followers of John and Jesus took place at this time. When Jesus heard about John’s imprisonment, He went from Nazareth to live in Capernaum (v. 12-13). Luke explains the reason for Jesus leaving Nazareth was an attempt on his life (Luke 4:16-31). From …
The Devil Tempts Jesus
Following His public baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He fasted for forty days (v. 1). The wilderness of Judea is a hot, barren and desolate area that lays between the Dead Sea and Jerusalem and is approximately thirty-five miles long and fifteen miles wide. Following this period Satan put Him through three major tests …