Ministry in Galilee

12 When He heard that John had been arrested,(A) He withdrew into Galilee.(B) 13 He left Nazareth behind and went to live in Capernaum(C) by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

15 Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
along the sea road, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles!
16 The people who live in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those living in the shadowland of death,
light has dawned.[a](D)[b]

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven(E) has come near!”

The First Disciples

18 As(F) He was walking along the Sea of Galilee,(G) He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen. 19 “Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for[c] people!” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.

Teaching, Preaching, and Healing

23 Jesus was going all over Galilee,(H) teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every[d] disease and sickness among the people.(I) 24 Then the news about Him spread throughout Syria.(J) So they brought to Him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics.(K) And He healed them. 25 Large crowds followed Him from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.(L)

The Sermon on the Mount

When He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain,(M) and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. Then[e] He began to teach them, saying:(N)

The Beatitudes

“The poor in spirit are blessed,(O)
for the kingdom of heaven(P) is theirs.
Those who mourn are blessed,(Q)
for they will be comforted.
The gentle are blessed,(R)
for they will inherit the earth.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed,(S)
for they will be filled.
The merciful are blessed,
for they will be shown mercy.(T)
The pure in heart are blessed,
for they will see God.(U)
The peacemakers are blessed,
for they will be called sons of God.(V)
10 Those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed,
for the kingdom of heaven(W) is theirs.

11 “You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted(X) the prophets who were before you.(Y)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 4:16 Lit dawned on them
  2. Matthew 4:16 Is 9:1-2
  3. Matthew 4:19 Lit you fishers of
  4. Matthew 4:23 Or every kind of
  5. Matthew 5:2 Lit Then opening His mouth

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