Matthew 9:35

KJV

¶ And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} went about {G4013} all {G3956} the cities {G4172} and {G2532} villages {G2968}, teaching {G1321} in {G1722} their {G846} synagogues {G4864}, and {G2532} preaching {G2784} the gospel {G2098} of the kingdom {G932}, and {G2532} healing {G2323} every {G3956} sickness {G3554} and {G2532} every {G3956} disease {G3119} among {G1722} the people {G2992}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua went about all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and weakness.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.

American Standard Version

And Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:35 offers a profound and concise summary of Jesus Christ's comprehensive Galilean ministry, encapsulating His tireless itinerancy, authoritative teaching in synagogues, fervent proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom, and compassionate healing of all manner of physical ailments among the populace. This verse serves as a powerful testament to His divine mission, demonstrating His holistic concern for humanity's spiritual and physical well-being as the King inaugurating His reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 9:35 functions as a climactic summary statement, concluding a significant narrative block (Matthew 8-9) that meticulously details Jesus' authority through a series of miracles and encounters. This section showcases His power over disease, demons, and even death, establishing His credentials as the Messiah. The verse immediately precedes Jesus' profound compassion for the "harassed and helpless" multitudes (as described in [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")), which then leads directly into His commission of the twelve disciples in [Matthew 10](/matthew/10 "Matthew 10 - The Commissioning of the Twelve"). It also forms an inclusio with an earlier summary of Jesus' ministry in [Matthew 4:23](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23 - Jesus' Early Galilean Ministry Summary"), reinforcing the consistent and comprehensive nature of His public work from its outset.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' ministry unfolded within first-century Galilee, a region known for its diverse population of Jews and Gentiles, and its numerous small towns and villages. Synagogues served as the central hub for Jewish community life, functioning not only as places of worship but also for teaching, legal arbitration, and social gathering. Jesus' choice to teach and preach "in their synagogues" signifies His engagement with the established religious structures and His direct address to the Jewish people. The prevalence of "sickness and disease" was a stark reality of the ancient world, often attributed to sin or demonic influence, making Jesus' widespread healing ministry a radical demonstration of divine power and a tangible sign of God's redemptive presence breaking into a broken world.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core themes central to Matthew's Gospel. It highlights the **comprehensive nature of Jesus' ministry**, demonstrating His commitment to addressing both the spiritual and physical needs of humanity through teaching, preaching, and healing. Central to His message was the **"gospel of the kingdom,"** emphasizing that God's sovereign reign was not merely a future hope but was actively breaking into the present through Jesus' words and deeds, as seen in His initial proclamation in [Mark 1:14-15](/mark/1-14-15 "Mark 1:14-15 - Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom of God"). The extensive healing ministry underscores Jesus' **divine authority and profound compassion**, revealing Him as the one who embodies God's redemptive power and empathy for human suffering, a theme further elaborated in passages like [Luke 4:40](/luke/4-40 "Luke 4:40 - Jesus Heals Many at Sunset"). Finally, Jesus' active itinerancy, going "about all the cities and villages," demonstrates His **intentional and proactive engagement** with people where they lived, rather than passively waiting for them to come to Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **teaching (Greek, _didáskō'_):** This verb signifies the systematic imparting of instruction, knowledge, or doctrine. In Jesus' context, it refers to His authoritative exposition of God's truth, particularly concerning the nature of the Kingdom of God, the interpretation of the Law, and ethical living, often delivered within the structured setting of the synagogue.
* **preaching (Greek, _kērýssō'_):** Meaning "to herald as a public crier," this term emphasizes the authoritative, public, and urgent proclamation of a message. Jesus' "preaching" was not merely instruction but a formal announcement of the arrival and implications of the "gospel of the kingdom," demanding a response from His hearers. It carries the weight of a divine announcement.
* **healing (Greek, _therapeúō'_):** While broadly meaning "to wait upon menially" or "to worship," in this context, _therapeúō_ specifically denotes the act of curing or relieving from disease. Jesus' widespread healing ministry was a tangible manifestation of the Kingdom's power, demonstrating His authority over the brokenness of the fallen world and offering a foretaste of God's redemptive restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages,"**: This opening clause establishes Jesus' active and extensive itinerancy throughout the region of Galilee. He was not static but proactively sought out people in their local communities, demonstrating a pervasive and accessible ministry that reached beyond major centers to the common populace. The phrase "all the cities and villages" emphasizes the comprehensive scope of His mission.
* **"teaching in their synagogues,"**: This highlights Jesus' primary method of instruction and His engagement with established Jewish religious life. Synagogues were the natural venues for communal teaching and discussion, and Jesus used these platforms to expound on the Scriptures and reveal the truths of God's Kingdom, challenging existing interpretations and offering new insights with unparalleled authority.
* **"and preaching the gospel of the kingdom,"**: This specifies the core content of Jesus' message. The "gospel" (good news) was the announcement that God's "kingdom" (His active reign and sovereignty) was breaking into human history through Jesus Himself. This was a message of profound hope and transformation, inviting people to repent and enter into God's present and future rule.
* **"and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."**: This final clause describes the miraculous dimension of Jesus' ministry, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. His ability to heal "every sickness and every disease" signifies His comprehensive authority over all forms of human suffering and infirmity. These acts of healing were not mere displays of power but tangible signs of the Kingdom's arrival, validating His message and illustrating God's restorative love for humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 9:35 employs several effective literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Tricolon**, seen in the three parallel actions of Jesus: "teaching," "preaching," and "healing." This rhythmic structure emphasizes the comprehensive and multifaceted nature of His ministry. The verse also utilizes **Inclusio** when compared with [Matthew 4:23](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23 - Early Summary of Jesus' Ministry"), where a nearly identical summary statement frames Jesus' extensive Galilean ministry, reinforcing its consistent character. Furthermore, the use of **Hyperbole** or **Generalization** in phrases like "all the cities and villages" and "every sickness and every disease" underscores the widespread and exhaustive scope of Jesus' activities, conveying the totality of His compassionate outreach and divine power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 9:35 serves as a theological cornerstone, presenting Jesus as the embodiment of God's active reign and redemptive purpose. His integrated ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing reveals a holistic approach to human need, addressing both spiritual brokenness through the "gospel of the kingdom" and physical suffering through miraculous restoration. This comprehensive engagement demonstrates that the Kingdom of God is not merely a future hope but a present reality inaugurated through Jesus, characterized by divine authority, compassion, and the breaking in of God's restorative power into a fallen world. It underscores that true spiritual transformation often accompanies tangible acts of love and service, reflecting the very nature of God.

* [Matthew 4:23](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23 - Jesus' Early Galilean Ministry Summary")
* [Luke 4:43-44](/luke/4-43-44 "Luke 4:43-44 - Jesus' Mission to Preach the Kingdom")
* [Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - God Anointed Jesus to Do Good and Heal")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 9:35 provides a timeless blueprint for Christian life and ministry, urging believers to emulate Jesus' holistic and proactive engagement with the world. It reminds us that our faith is not merely intellectual assent but a dynamic call to action, encompassing both the proclamation of truth and compassionate service. Just as Jesus went where the people were, we are called to step out of our comfort zones and actively reach into our communities, sharing the transformative "good news" of God's Kingdom not only with words but also through tangible expressions of love and care. This means addressing both the spiritual hunger and the physical, emotional, and social needs of those around us, recognizing that every act of kindness, every word of truth, and every demonstration of compassion can be a signpost to the Kingdom of God. Our mission, like His, is to bring healing and hope to a broken world, embodying the present reality of God's reign in every sphere of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' integrated ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing challenge my understanding of what it means to live out my faith holistically?**
* **In what specific ways can I, or my community, more actively "go about" our "cities and villages" to engage with those who need the Gospel and practical care?**
* **How can I better embody the "gospel of the kingdom" in my daily interactions, demonstrating both God's truth and His compassionate power?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jesus "going about all the cities and villages" rather than staying in one place?**

Answer: Jesus' active itinerancy, "going about all the cities and villages," signifies His intentional and comprehensive outreach. Rather than waiting for people to come to Him, He proactively sought out the lost and needy in their own communities. This demonstrated His universal compassion and the pervasive nature of the Kingdom message, which was not confined to a single location or a select group but was for "all the people" (as mentioned at the end of [Matthew 9:35](/matthew/9-35 "Matthew 9:35 - Jesus' Comprehensive Ministry")). It also highlights the urgency and accessibility of His ministry, bringing the good news directly to the common populace, even in remote areas.

**What does "the gospel of the kingdom" mean in this context?**

Answer: "The gospel of the kingdom" refers to the "good news" that God's sovereign reign (His "kingdom") was breaking into human history through Jesus Christ. It was not merely a future hope but a present reality being inaugurated through Jesus' words, deeds, and very person. This "good news" meant that God was reclaiming His authority over sin, sickness, and death, offering salvation, healing, and transformation to those who would repent and believe. It's the central theme of Jesus' public ministry, as highlighted in passages like [Mark 1:14-15](/mark/1-14-15 "Mark 1:14-15 - Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom of God") where Jesus begins His ministry proclaiming, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 9:35 profoundly reveals Jesus as the incarnate King, the very embodiment of the Kingdom of God breaking into a broken world. His comprehensive ministry—teaching with unparalleled authority, proclaiming the "good news" of God's reign, and healing every human affliction—demonstrates that He is the promised Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of a compassionate deliverer who would bring restoration and light to His people ([Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me")). Every act of teaching and preaching pointed to His identity and the redemptive purpose of God, while every healing was a tangible sign of the Kingdom's power overcoming the effects of sin and the curse, foreshadowing the ultimate restoration of all things in the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Will Wipe Away Every Tear")). Ultimately, Jesus' compassion for the suffering, so evident in His healing ministry, culminates in His ultimate act of self-giving on the cross, where He bore the "sickness" and "disease" of humanity's sin ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - He Bore Our Sicknesses and Pains")), making possible the full and eternal reign of God in the lives of those who believe ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). His ministry in Matthew 9:35 is thus a microcosm of His entire redemptive work, revealing Him as the compassionate King who initiates and perfects God's 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

Matthew 4:23

¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Matthew 4:24

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

Acts 10:38

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Mark 6:56

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Matthew 11:5

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Luke 4:43

And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

Luke 4:44

And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.