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.

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary on Matthew 15:29

Matthew 15:29 serves as a concise transitional verse, marking Jesus' return to a significant area of His ministry after a period spent in Gentile regions. This verse sets the stage for a new series of teachings and miraculous healings, emphasizing Jesus' intentional movements and His posture as a teacher.

Context

The phrase "departed from thence" refers to Jesus' recent journey into the coastal regions of Tyre and Sidon, Gentile territory where He encountered the Canaanite woman whose great faith He commended. His return "unto the sea of Galilee" signifies a re-engagement with the Jewish populace in a central area of His public ministry. The Sea of Galilee was a familiar backdrop for many of Jesus' teachings, parables, and miraculous signs. Going "up into a mountain, and sat down there" was a common practice for Jesus, often preceding significant discourses or periods of intense ministry, such as the Sermon on the Mount.

Key Themes

  • Intentional Movement and Ministry Focus: Jesus' geographical shifts were not random but purposeful. His return to Galilee underscored His primary mission to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24), even as He demonstrated compassion for Gentiles.
  • Accessibility and Availability: By settling on a mountain near the populous Sea of Galilee, Jesus made Himself accessible to the crowds who would soon gather, seeking healing and spiritual instruction. This posture highlights His readiness to minister to those in need.
  • Posture of Authority and Teaching: The act of "sitting down" (`ἐκάθητο` - ekathēto in Greek) was the traditional posture of a rabbi or teacher instructing his disciples and the gathered crowds. It conveyed authority, readiness to teach, and a settled presence for profound discourse.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek verb `ἐκάθητο` (*ekathēto*), translated as "sat down," is often used in the Gospels to describe Jesus taking the posture of a teacher. This wasn't merely resting, but deliberately assuming a position of authority and readiness to impart wisdom, a common practice for Jewish rabbis.

Practical Application

Matthew 15:29, though brief, offers insights into Jesus' purposeful approach to His ministry. He moved strategically, sought places where He could engage with people, and adopted a posture that invited instruction and interaction. For believers today, this verse reminds us of the importance of intentionality in our spiritual walk and in seeking opportunities to connect with God's truth. It also highlights Jesus' constant availability and readiness to teach and heal those who seek Him, a timeless truth that echoes through the ages (Hebrews 13:8). Just as the crowds flocked to Him on the mountain, we are invited to draw near to Him for guidance and restoration.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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