Matthew 4:12

12 and 23. ὁ Ἰησοῦς omitted in Matthew 4:12 after ἀκούσας δέ, and by Tischendorf also in Matthew 4:23. The instances of this insertion in the text of the N.T. from the margin or from lectionaries are very numerous.

12. ἀκούσας δέ, ‘having heard,’ not only when but also because He heard. It was a needful precaution against the cruel treachery of Herod Antipas. At Capernaum He would be close to the dominions of Herod Philip.

παρεδόθη. παραδιδόναι is used of ‘delivering’ to death (Acts 3:13), to a judge (ch. Matthew 5:25), or of casting into prison (Luke 12:58 τῷ πράκτορι; Acts 8:3 and here); but it is possible that the idea of treachery and betrayal may also be present as in ch. Matthew 10:4; Matthew 27:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23.

The place of imprisonment was Machærus. The cause of John’s imprisonment is stated at length ch. Matthew 14:3-4 (where see note) and Luke 3:19-20.

On hearing of the death of John the Baptist Jesus retired into the wilderness. See ch. Matthew 14:13.

ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν. By the shortest route through Samaria. John 4:4. During this journey must be placed the conversation with the woman of Samaria. This was after a ministry in Judæa, which had lasted eight months (Ellicott, Lectures on the life of our Lord, p. 130), some incidents of which are related by St John, 2. and 3.

Γαλιλαία = a circle or circuit, originally confined to a ‘circle’ of 20 cities given by Solomon to Hiram, 1 Kings 9:11. Cp. Joshua 20:7 and Joshua 8:2 (where the Vulgate reads Galilæa Philistim ‘the circle’ or ‘district’ of the Philistines). From this small beginning the name spread to a larger district, just as the name of Asia spread from a district near the Mæander, first to the Roman Province, then to a quarter of the Globe. The Jews were in a minority in those parts. The population mainly consisted of Phœnicians, Arabs, and Greeks.