Matthew 4:13

KJV

And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} leaving {G2641} Nazareth {G3478}, he came {G2064} and dwelt {G2730} in {G1519} Capernaum {G2584}, which {G3588} is upon the sea coast {G3864}, in {G1722} the borders {G3725} of Zabulon {G2194} and {G2532} Nephthalim {G3508}:

Complete Jewish Bible

but he left Natzeret and came to live in K'far-Nachum, a lake shore town near the boundary between Z'vulun and Naftali.

Berean Standard Bible

Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,

American Standard Version

and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 4:13 marks a pivotal geographical and strategic shift in Jesus' early public ministry. Following his temptation in the wilderness and the imprisonment of John the Baptist, Jesus departs from his hometown of Nazareth and establishes his new base of operations in Capernaum, a bustling town situated on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. This deliberate relocation to the ancient tribal territories of Zebulun and Naphtali sets the stage for the intense period of teaching, healing, and miracle-working that would characterize his Galilean ministry, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and signaling the expansion of God's redemptive light to a broader, more diverse population.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' return from his forty-day temptation in the wilderness and the significant news of John the Baptist's arrest ([Matthew 4:12](/matthew/4-12 "Matthew 4:12 - John the Baptist Imprisoned")). John's imprisonment serves as a catalyst for Jesus' withdrawal from Judea and his strategic move to Galilee. The narrative flow in Matthew emphasizes Jesus' intentionality, presenting his actions not as random events but as deliberate steps in his messianic mission. This geographical shift is crucial, as the subsequent verses ([Matthew 4:14-16](/matthew/4-14-16 "Matthew 4:14-16 - Fulfillment of Isaiah's Prophecy")) explicitly state that Jesus' dwelling in Capernaum fulfills Isaiah's prophecy concerning the "Galilee of the Gentiles," thereby linking his ministry directly to Old Testament expectation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nazareth was a small, relatively obscure village in the hills of Galilee, known for its humble origins. Capernaum, by contrast, was a thriving fishing town and a customs station on the Via Maris, a major trade route. Its strategic location on the Sea of Galilee made it a hub of commerce and diverse populations, including both Jews and Gentiles. The regions of Zabulon (Zebulun) and Nephthalim (Naphtali) were ancient tribal territories in northern Israel, historically part of the Northern Kingdom. After the Assyrian conquest, this area became known as "Galilee of the Gentiles" due to its mixed population and cultural influences. It was often viewed with disdain by the religious elite in Judea ([John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Can anything good come out of Nazareth?")). Jesus' choice of Capernaum as his base, therefore, was not merely practical but profoundly symbolic, signaling his mission to bring the gospel to a broader, often overlooked, segment of society.
* **Key Themes:** Jesus' relocation to Capernaum highlights several significant themes within Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **fulfillment of prophecy**, a dominant theme throughout Matthew, as the subsequent verses directly connect this move to Isaiah 9. Secondly, it emphasizes the **expansion of God's kingdom**, demonstrating that the good news of salvation is not confined to Jerusalem or Judea but extends to the "Galilee of the Gentiles," foreshadowing the universal scope of the gospel. This move also signifies a shift in the **center of Jesus' public ministry** from the wilderness and Judea to the vibrant, populous region of Galilee, where he would perform many of his miracles and deliver much of his teaching, including the Sermon on the Mount ([Matthew 5-7](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount begins")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **leaving (Greek, _kataleípō'_):** From κατά and λείπω; to leave down, i.e. behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining:--forsake, leave, reserve. This word suggests a deliberate and definitive departure, not merely a temporary visit. Jesus "left behind" Nazareth, indicating a permanent shift in his base of operations, signifying a new phase of his ministry rather than a mere change of scenery.
* **came (Greek, _érchomai'_):** Middle voice of a primary verb; to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set. This verb denotes intentional movement towards a destination. Jesus' coming to Capernaum is presented as a purposeful act, part of his divine itinerary, rather than an arbitrary relocation.
* **dwelt (Greek, _katoikéō'_):** From κατά and οἰκέω; to house permanently, i.e. reside (literally or figuratively):--dwell(-er), inhabitant(-ter). This signifies that Capernaum became Jesus' established residence and the primary center of his Galilean ministry. The term implies a settled, long-term presence, highlighting that this town would be the hub from which he would launch his evangelistic and teaching efforts in the surrounding region.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And leaving Nazareth":** This phrase marks a significant transition. Nazareth, Jesus' hometown where he had grown up and lived for approximately 30 years, is now deliberately left behind. This departure may have been prompted by the rejection he experienced there ([Luke 4:28-30](/luke/4-28-30 "Luke 4:28-30 - Jesus Rejected at Nazareth")), signaling that while he began in his own town, his ministry would expand beyond its confines.
* **"he came and dwelt in Capernaum":** This indicates Jesus' new, chosen base of operations. The combination of "came" and "dwelt" emphasizes a purposeful and settled relocation. Capernaum, a bustling and strategically located city on the Sea of Galilee, offered greater access to diverse populations and trade routes, making it an ideal place from which to launch a widespread public ministry.
* **"which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim":** This detailed geographical description is crucial for understanding the verse's theological significance. "Upon the sea coast" refers to the Sea of Galilee, a vibrant economic area. The mention of "the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim" precisely locates Capernaum within the ancient tribal territories that Isaiah prophesied would see a great light. This specificity grounds Jesus' ministry in the prophetic landscape of Israel, setting the stage for the explicit fulfillment declared in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew employs several **literary devices** in this verse to convey its profound significance. The most prominent is **Geographical Symbolism**. The contrast between Nazareth, a small, isolated, and initially unreceptive village, and Capernaum, a bustling, strategically located hub, symbolizes the expansion of Jesus' ministry from a narrow, familiar setting to a broader, more public, and diverse stage. This geographical shift also serves as a **Narrative Transition**, moving the story from Jesus' personal preparation (temptation) and John's diminishing role to the active commencement of Jesus' public ministry in Galilee. Furthermore, the precise geographical detail ("in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim") functions as a **Fulfillment Motif**, subtly foreshadowing and preparing the reader for the explicit declaration of Isaiah's prophecy in the very next verses, highlighting Matthew's overarching theme of Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Old Testament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 4:13 serves as a critical theological hinge, linking Jesus' personal preparation and the end of John the Baptist's ministry to the full commencement of Jesus' public ministry in Galilee. His deliberate move to Capernaum, a mixed Jewish and Gentile region, underscores the universal scope of his mission and the expansive nature of God's kingdom. This geographical relocation is not incidental but divinely orchestrated, demonstrating God's sovereign plan to bring salvation to all people, starting with those in the "Galilee of the Gentiles." It highlights that God often chooses unexpected places and people to manifest His glory and fulfill His purposes, challenging preconceived notions of where spiritual revival or divine activity might occur.

* [Isaiah 9:1-2](/isaiah/9-1-2 "Isaiah 9:1-2 - The Prophecy of Light in Galilee")
* [Luke 4:28-30](/luke/4-28-30 "Luke 4:28-30 - Jesus Rejected in Nazareth")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnessing to the Ends of the Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' intentional relocation from Nazareth to Capernaum offers a profound model for our own lives and ministries. It reminds us that faithfulness to God's call often requires leaving behind the familiar and stepping into new, sometimes challenging, environments. Just as Capernaum was a strategic location for the spread of the gospel in Jesus' time, we are called to discern and engage with the strategic "Capernaums" of our own day – whether they are geographical locations, cultural spheres, or relational networks – where the light of Christ can shine most effectively. This verse encourages us to be adaptable, obedient, and willing to follow God's leading, even when it means discomfort or a radical shift in our circumstances. It challenges us to look beyond our comfort zones and embrace the mission of bringing the gospel to all people, including those who may be marginalized or overlooked by society, trusting that God has a divine purpose for us in every place He calls us to dwell.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Nazareths" might God be calling me to "leave" in my life, whether they are places, habits, or comfort zones, in order to pursue His greater purpose?**
* **Where are the "Capernaums" in my sphere of influence – the strategic places or relationships – where I can most effectively bring the light of Christ?**
* **How does Jesus' willingness to move to a "Galilee of the Gentiles" challenge my own biases or preferences regarding whom the gospel is for?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus leave Nazareth and go to Capernaum?**

Answer: Jesus left Nazareth for several interconnected reasons. The immediate trigger, as indicated in [Matthew 4:12](/matthew/4-12 "Matthew 4:12 - John the Baptist Imprisoned"), was the imprisonment of John the Baptist, which signaled a shift in the spiritual landscape and the imminent beginning of Jesus' public ministry. Furthermore, Jesus had experienced rejection in his hometown of Nazareth ([Luke 4:28-30](/luke/4-28-30 "Luke 4:28-30 - Jesus Rejected at Nazareth")), making it less conducive for the widespread ministry he was about to undertake. Capernaum, on the other hand, was a bustling, strategically located city on the Sea of Galilee, offering greater access to diverse populations and trade routes. Most importantly, as [Matthew 4:14-16](/matthew/4-14-16 "Matthew 4:14-16 - Fulfillment of Isaiah's Prophecy") explicitly states, this move was a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah, demonstrating Jesus' messianic identity and the divine orchestration of his ministry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 4:13, though seemingly a simple geographical detail, profoundly points to Christ's redemptive mission and his identity as the promised Messiah. By leaving Nazareth and dwelling in Capernaum, located in the "borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim" (the "Galilee of the Gentiles"), Jesus deliberately fulfills the ancient prophecy of [Isaiah 9:1-2](/isaiah/9-1-2 "Isaiah 9:1-2 - The Prophecy of Light in Galilee"). This act signifies that the "great light" promised by Isaiah is none other than Jesus himself, who comes to illuminate those "who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death." His relocation to a region often looked down upon by the Judean religious establishment underscores his mission to seek and save the lost, not just the "righteous" ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost")). This foreshadows the universal scope of the gospel, breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), and ultimately culminating in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). Thus, Capernaum becomes a microcosm of the world, where the saving light of Christ begins to shine, inviting all who dwell in darkness to enter into his glorious kingdom.

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

Mark 1:21

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

John 4:46

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

Matthew 11:23

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

John 6:24

When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

Luke 4:30

But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

Luke 4:31

¶ And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.

John 6:59

These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.