Matthew 15:29

KJV

¶ And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} departed {G3327} from thence {G1564}, and came {G2064} nigh unto {G3844} the sea {G2281} of Galilee {G1056}; and {G2532} went up {G305} into {G1519} a mountain {G3735}, and sat down {G2521} there {G1563}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua left there and went along the shore of Lake Kinneret. He climbed a hill and sat down;

Berean Standard Bible

Moving on from there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up on a mountain and sat down.

American Standard Version

And Jesus departed thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and he went up into the mountain, and sat there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:29 serves as a pivotal transitional verse, meticulously detailing Jesus' intentional geographical shift from the Gentile regions of Tyre and Sidon back to the familiar Jewish heartland around the Sea of Galilee. This movement is not arbitrary but purposeful, setting the immediate stage for a renewed phase of extensive public ministry, marked by profound teaching and miraculous healings, as Jesus assumes the traditional posture of a rabbinic teacher on a mountain.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' significant encounter with the Canaanite woman in the region of Tyre and Sidon, a narrative that powerfully illustrates the expansive nature of God's grace and the depth of genuine faith, even outside the conventional boundaries of Israel ([Matthew 15:21-28](/matthew/15-21-28 "Matthew 15:21-28 - The Faith of the Canaanite Woman")). Jesus' departure "from thence" signals a deliberate return to Jewish territory, specifically the Sea of Galilee area, which has been a primary locus of His ministry since its inception ([Matthew 4:18-22](/matthew/4-18-22 "Matthew 4:18-22 - The Calling of the First Disciples")). His ascension "into a mountain" and subsequent "sitting down" anticipate the large crowds and extensive healing ministry that will unfold in the subsequent verses ([Matthew 15:30-31](/matthew/15-30-31 "Matthew 15:30-31 - Jesus Heals Many")). This verse, therefore, acts as a critical narrative bridge, re-establishing the setting for Jesus' ongoing mission to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" ([Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Matthew 15:24 - Jesus' Mission to Israel")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Gennesaret or Tiberias, was a vibrant hub of Jewish life in the first century, surrounded by numerous towns and villages such as Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Magdala. It was a densely populated area, making it an ideal location for Jesus' public ministry, as His teachings and miracles could reach a wide audience. Mountains and elevated terrain in ancient Israel often served as places of solitude, prayer, revelation, and teaching. For a rabbi or teacher to go "up into a mountain, and sat down there" was a conventional and respected posture for delivering significant instruction or addressing a large assembly. This act conveyed authority and readiness to teach, reminiscent of Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai or Jesus delivering the Sermon on the Mount ([Matthew 5:1-2](/matthew/5-1-2 "Matthew 5:1-2 - Jesus Teaches on the Mount")). This cultural practice would have been immediately understood by Jesus' Jewish audience as a signal of impending authoritative teaching.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 15:29 contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' Intentional Movement and Divine Purpose**. His geographical shifts are never random but are guided by His mission to proclaim the kingdom of God and demonstrate its power. His return to Galilee underscores His primary focus on Israel, even as His recent interaction with the Canaanite woman broadened the scope of His compassion. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Jesus' Accessibility and Availability**. By settling near the populous Sea of Galilee, Jesus makes Himself approachable to the multitudes, demonstrating His readiness to minister to those in need, whether for healing or spiritual instruction. This accessibility is a hallmark of His ministry throughout Matthew, as seen in His willingness to engage with all who seek Him ([Matthew 9:35-36](/matthew/9-35-36 "Matthew 9:35-36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")). Thirdly, the act of "sitting down" on a mountain reinforces the theme of **Jesus' Authority as Teacher and Healer**. This posture signifies His rabbinic authority, preparing the reader for the significant acts of healing and teaching that follow, echoing His authoritative teaching found in passages like the Sermon on the Mount ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus Teaches with Authority")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **departed (Greek, _metabaínō_):** This verb signifies a change of place, a transition from one location to another. In this context, it emphasizes Jesus' deliberate movement away from the Gentile territory of Tyre and Sidon, marking a clear shift in the narrative's geographical focus. It underscores the purposeful nature of His itinerancy.
* **came nigh (Greek, _érchomai_):** While often translated simply as "came" or "went," _érchomai_ here, combined with "nigh unto," conveys the idea of drawing near or approaching. It highlights Jesus' arrival at a specific destination, the Sea of Galilee, indicating His re-engagement with this significant region of His ministry. The verb suggests an active, purposeful approach.
* **sat down (Greek, _káthēmai_):** This word describes the act of sitting, but within the context of rabbinic teaching, it carries significant cultural weight. It was the traditional posture of a teacher instructing disciples or addressing a crowd, signifying authority, readiness to impart wisdom, and a settled presence for profound discourse. It is not merely resting but assuming a formal teaching stance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus departed from thence":** This clause establishes Jesus' departure from the Gentile region where He had just ministered to the Canaanite woman. It signals a geographical and perhaps thematic shift, moving from a demonstration of grace to Gentiles back to His primary mission among the Jews.
* **"and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee":** This phrase specifies Jesus' destination, bringing Him back to the central stage of His public ministry. The Sea of Galilee was a familiar and populous area, crucial for reaching large Jewish crowds with His message and miracles. His "drawing near" suggests a deliberate approach to a place of renewed activity.
* **"and went up into a mountain":** This action indicates Jesus' ascent to an elevated position. Mountains in biblical narratives often symbolize places of divine encounter, revelation, and authoritative teaching. This ascent sets Him apart, preparing for a significant public address or a period of intense ministry.
* **"and sat down there":** This final clause describes Jesus assuming the traditional posture of a rabbi or teacher. It signifies His readiness to teach, to engage with the crowds, and to exercise His divine authority. This simple act is laden with cultural and theological meaning, indicating a forthcoming period of instruction and healing.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 15:29 primarily employs **Transition** and **Setting as Symbolism**. The verse functions as a clear narrative transition, moving the geographical focus from the Gentile north back to the Jewish heartland around the Sea of Galilee. This shift is not merely geographical but also thematic, re-emphasizing Jesus' primary mission to Israel while acknowledging His recent outreach. The **Setting** itself, particularly the "mountain," holds significant **Symbolism**. In the Gospels, mountains are often places where Jesus teaches with authority (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount), prays, or performs miracles. His ascent and "sitting down" on the mountain powerfully symbolize His divine authority and His role as the authoritative teacher (rabbi) and sovereign Lord, preparing to impart wisdom and demonstrate power. The concise, direct language also contributes to the verse's effectiveness in conveying purposeful movement and immediate consequence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:29, though brief, is rich in theological implications, underscoring Jesus' divine intentionality and His unwavering commitment to His mission. His deliberate return to Galilee and His posture on the mountain highlight His role as the authoritative teacher and the accessible Messiah. This verse implicitly connects to the broader theme of God's redemptive plan, which begins with Israel but ultimately extends to all nations, as foreshadowed by the preceding encounter with the Canaanite woman. Jesus' actions demonstrate His strategic engagement with humanity, always seeking to meet people where they are, while simultaneously asserting His divine authority and readiness to minister.

* [Matthew 4:23](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23 - Jesus Teaching and Healing in Galilee")
* [Luke 6:17](/luke/6-17 "Luke 6:17 - Jesus Teaches on a Level Place")
* [John 6:3](/john/6-3 "John 6:3 - Jesus Goes Up on the Mountain")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 15:29 invites us to consider the intentionality and purposefulness of Jesus' life and ministry. Every movement, every posture, was imbued with divine purpose, aimed at proclaiming the Kingdom of God and demonstrating His love and power. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that our lives, too, should be marked by intentionality in our pursuit of God and our service to others. Just as Jesus sought out places where He could effectively minister, we are called to be strategic in our spiritual growth and in seeking opportunities to share the Gospel and serve our communities. Furthermore, Jesus' accessibility—His willingness to come near to the crowds and sit among them—challenges us to be approachable and available to those around us who are in need of spiritual guidance, healing, or simply a listening ear. His constant readiness to teach and heal assures us that He remains available to us, inviting us to draw near for wisdom, comfort, and restoration in every circumstance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' intentional movement in this verse challenge my own tendency toward aimlessness in my spiritual walk or daily life?**
* **In what ways can I make myself more accessible and available to others, reflecting Jesus' posture of readiness to minister?**
* **What "mountain" (place of intentional seeking or quiet reflection) might God be calling me to ascend to, in order to hear His authoritative voice more clearly?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus depart from Tyre and Sidon and return to Galilee?**

Answer: Jesus' departure from the Gentile regions of Tyre and Sidon and His return to the Sea of Galilee area reflect His primary mission to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" ([Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Matthew 15:24 - Jesus' Mission to Israel")). While He demonstrated His compassion and power to Gentiles, His main focus during His earthly ministry was to bring the message of the Kingdom to the Jewish people. His return to Galilee, a densely populated Jewish area, allowed Him to resume extensive public teaching and healing among His own people, as seen in the verses immediately following ([Matthew 15:30-31](/matthew/15-30-31 "Matthew 15:30-31 - Jesus Heals Many")).

**What is the significance of Jesus going "up into a mountain, and sat down there"?**

Answer: This action carries significant cultural and theological weight. In ancient Jewish culture, for a rabbi or teacher to "sit down" was the traditional posture for delivering authoritative instruction. It signaled a formal teaching session. Furthermore, mountains in biblical narratives often symbolize places of divine encounter, revelation, and authoritative pronouncements (e.g., Moses on Mount Sinai). By going up into a mountain and sitting down, Jesus was asserting His authority as a teacher and preparing to deliver significant discourse or perform powerful acts, much like He did during the Sermon on the Mount ([Matthew 5:1-2](/matthew/5-1-2 "Matthew 5:1-2 - Jesus Teaches on the Mount")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:29, though a simple transitional verse, profoundly points to the Christ-centered nature of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' deliberate movement and posture foreshadow His ultimate mission as the authoritative Teacher and compassionate Savior. His return to Galilee signifies His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, Israel, yet His prior ministry in Gentile territory subtly hints at the universal scope of His saving work, which would ultimately extend to all nations through His Great Commission ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). By ascending a mountain and sitting down, Jesus embodies the true and greater Moses, not merely delivering a new law, but embodying the very presence of God's kingdom. This posture of authority anticipates His ultimate reign from the heavenly throne, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for His people ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Jesus Sits at God's Right Hand")). His accessibility to the crowds around the Sea of Galilee prefigures His ongoing accessibility to all who call upon His name, for He is the one who draws near to the brokenhearted and offers healing and eternal life to all who believe ([Psalm 34:18](/psalm/34-18 "Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is Near the Brokenhearted"); [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). Thus, this verse, in its simple description of Jesus' movements, reveals the purposeful, authoritative, and compassionate heart of the Messiah, who came to seek and to save the lost ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 4:18

¶ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

John 6:1

¶ After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is [the sea of] Tiberias.

Matthew 5:1

¶ And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

Matthew 15:29

¶ And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

Matthew 15:31

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Mark 7:31

¶ And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

Mark 7:37

And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.