Matthew 4:25

And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and [from] Decapolis, and [from] Jerusalem, and [from] Judaea, and [from] beyond Jordan.

And {G2532} there followed {G190} him {G846} great {G4183} multitudes of people {G3793} from {G575} Galilee {G1056}, and {G2532} from Decapolis {G1179}, and {G2532} from Jerusalem {G2414}, and {G2532} from Judaea {G2449}, and {G2532} from beyond {G4008} Jordan {G2446}.

Huge crowds followed him from the Galil, the Ten Towns, Yerushalayim, Y'hudah, and `Ever-HaYarden.

The large crowds that followed Him came from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

And there followed him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judæa and from beyond the Jordan.

Context

Matthew 4:25 concludes the introductory section of Jesus' public ministry, immediately following His proclamation to "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17), the calling of His first disciples (Matthew 4:18-22), and a summary of His early teaching and healing ministry (Matthew 4:23-24). This verse sets the stage for the Sermon on the Mount, which begins in Matthew 5:1, by illustrating the immense and diverse crowds that were drawn to Jesus. The mention of specific regions highlights the geographical breadth of His burgeoning fame.

Key Themes

  • Widespread Appeal of Jesus: The verse vividly portrays the rapid and extensive growth of Jesus' influence. People from various regions, backgrounds, and perhaps even differing religious viewpoints were drawn to Him, indicating a profound impact.
  • Divine Authority and Power: The "great multitudes" were drawn not just by curiosity, but by the compelling nature of Jesus' teaching and the undeniable evidence of His miracles, as described in the preceding verses. This demonstrates His unique authority and power.
  • Preparation for Greater Ministry: The gathering of such a vast audience underscores the readiness of the people to hear the Kingdom message and witness God's work. It prepares the reader for the significant teachings that follow, notably the Sermon on the Mount, which was delivered to these very crowds.

Geographical Insights

The verse lists five distinct geographical areas, showcasing the extensive reach of Jesus' fame:

  • Galilee: The northern region where Jesus primarily based His early ministry, including Nazareth and Capernaum.
  • Decapolis: A region of ten mostly Gentile cities to the southeast of Galilee, across the Jordan River. This indicates that His appeal was not limited to Jewish populations.
  • Jerusalem: The religious and political capital of Judaea, far to the south, signifying that His reputation had reached the heart of Jewish orthodoxy.
  • Judaea: The southern region of Israel, including Jerusalem, where the majority of Jewish people resided.
  • Beyond Jordan (Perea): The region east of the Jordan River, indicating that people from outside the immediate land of Israel were also seeking Him out.

Linguistic Nuance

The term "multitudes" (Greek: ochloi) is a recurring word in the Gospels, often used to describe large, undifferentiated crowds of people who followed Jesus. It emphasizes the sheer number of people, often lacking organized structure, who were drawn to Him for various reasons, including healing, teaching, or simply curiosity.

Practical Application

Matthew 4:25 reminds us of the universal and enduring appeal of Jesus Christ. Just as people from diverse backgrounds and distant regions were drawn to Him then, so too is His message relevant and powerful for all people today. The verse encourages us to consider:

  • The Power of the Gospel: The magnetic pull of Jesus' teaching and miraculous works highlights the inherent power of the Gospel to attract and transform lives across all boundaries.
  • Seeking Truth and Healing: Like the crowds, we are all in need of spiritual healing and divine truth. This verse encourages us to actively seek out Christ's teachings and His presence in our lives.
  • The Call to Share: The rapid spread of Jesus' fame without modern communication methods illustrates the organic way truth can spread when truly lived and proclaimed. It serves as an encouragement for believers to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others, knowing its transformative power remains.
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.

  • Luke 6:17

    And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

  • Mark 5:20

    And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all [men] did marvel.

  • Mark 3:7

    But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,

  • Mark 3:8

    And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and [from] beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.

  • 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 6:2

    And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing [him] were astonished, saying, From whence hath this [man] these things? and what wisdom [is] this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

  • Matthew 8:1

    ¶ When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

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