Matthew 4 · Verse 12

Matthew 4:12

Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
Matthew 4:12, King James Version

Matthew 4:12 in other translations

BSBWhen Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee.
WEBNow when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.
ASVNow when he heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee;
YLTAnd Jesus having heard that John was delivered up, did withdraw to Galilee,
DARBYBut having heard that John was delivered up, he departed into Galilee:
BBENow when it came to his ears that John had been put in prison, he went away to Galilee;
WebsterNow when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee.

What does Matthew 4:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison--more simply, "was delivered up," as recorded in Mt 14:3-5; Mr 6:17-20; Lu 3:19, 20. he departed--rather, "withdrew." into Galilee--as recorded, in its proper place, in Joh 4:1-3.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 12. John was cast into prison. For an account of the imprisonment of John, see Mt 14:1-12.

He departed into Galilee. See Mt 2:22. The reasons why Jesus went then into Galilee were, probably, not that he might avoid danger-- for he went directly into the dominions of Herod, and Jesus had nothing in particular to fear from Herod, as he had given him no cause of offence --but,

(1,) because the attention of the people had been much excited by John's preaching, and it was more favourable for his own ministry.

(2.) It seemed desirable to have some one to second John in the work of reformation.

(3.) It was less dangerous for him to commence his labours there than near Jerusalem. Judea was under the dominion of the scribes, and Pharisees, and priests. They would naturally look with envy on any one who set up for a public teacher, and who should attract much attention there. It was important, therefore, that the work of Jesus should begin in Galilee, and become somewhat established and known before he went to Jerusalem.

(1) "Cast into prison" or, "delivered up"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 4:12-17
It is just with God to take the gospel and the means of grace, from those that slight them and thrust them away. Christ will not stay long where he is not welcome. Those who are without Christ, are in the dark. They were sitting in this condition, a contented posture; they chose it rather than light; they were willingly ignorant. When the gospel comes, light comes; when it comes to any place, when it comes to any soul, it makes day there. Light discovers and directs; so does the gospel. The doctrine of repentance is right gospel doctrine. Not only the austere John Baptist, but the gracious Jesus, preached repentance. There is still the same reason to do so. The kingdom of heaven was not reckoned to be fully come, till the pouring out of the Holy Spirit after Christ's ascension.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Matthew 4:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἈκούσαςAkousasHaving heardG191
δὲdenowG1161
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἸωάννηςIōannēsJohnG2491
παρεδόθηparedothēwas delivered upG3860
ἀνεχώρησενanechōrēsenHe withdrewG402
εἰςeisintoG1519
τὴνtēn<the>G3588
Γαλιλαίαν.GalilaianGalilee.G1056

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 4:12

  • Mark 1:14

    Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

  • Luke 3:20

    Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

  • Matthew 14:3

    For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.

  • Luke 4:14

    And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

  • Mark 6:17

    For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.

  • John 3:24

    For John was not yet cast into prison.

  • John 4:43

    Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

  • John 4:54

    This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee.

  • Luke 4:31

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

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
when.
Mr 1:14; 6:17; Lu 3:20; 4:14,31; Joh 4:43,54
cast. or, delivered up.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 4:11

    Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

  • Matthew 4:12

    Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

  • Matthew 4:13

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

Read all of Matthew 4

Matthew 4:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas oyendo Jesús que Juan era preso, se volvió á Galilea;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or, ayant entendu dire que Jean avait été livré, il se retira en Galilée;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Als er aber gehört hatte, daß Johannes überliefert worden war, entwich er nach Galiläa;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Cum autem audisset Jesus quod Joannes traditus esset, secessit in Galilæam: