Jesus’ ministry in Galilee
[Mat 4:13-13:58; Jn 1:35-4:54]
The beginnings of Jesus’ ministry
[Jn 1:35-4:54]
When
Jesus
returns
from
being
tempted
in
the
desert,
John
points
him
out
to
two
of
his
disciples,
Andrew
and
John,
who
are
later
to
become
Jesus’
first
disciples.
Andrew
tells
his
brother
Simon
Peter,
who
will
also
later
become
a
disciple
of
Jesus.
The
next
day,
Jesus
decides to leave for Galilee and two more disciples are selected, Philip and Nathanael (Bartholomew).
Jesus’
mother
is
at
a
wedding
in
Cana
to
which
Jesus
and
his
disciples
have
been
invited.
When
there
is
no
more
wine
for
the
guests, Jesus’ mother mentions this to him and he reluctantly performs his first miracle by turning water into wine.
After
this,
Jesus
goes
to
Capernaum
with
his
mother,
brothers
and
disciples
and
stays
there
for
a
few
days.
When
it’s
almost
time
for
Passover,
Jesus
goes
to
Jerusalem
and
finds
men
in
the
temple
courts
selling
cattle,
sheep
and
doves
for
sacrifices,
and
others
serving
as
money
changers.
He
makes
a
whip
out
of
chords,
drives
out
the
animals
from
the
temple
area
and
overturns
the
money
changers’
tables.
Jesus
is
asked
with
what
authority
he
did
this
and
to
give
a
sign
of
that
authority,
to
which
he
replies
Destroy
this
temple,
and
in three days I will raise it up
. But they do not understand he is referring to his body.
While
Jesus
is
in
Jerusalem,
he
performs
miracles
and
many
people
begin
to
believe
in
him.
A
Pharisee
named
Nicodemus
approaches
Jesus,
acknowledging
that
he
must
be
sent
from
God
because
of
the
miracles
he
performs.
Jesus
teaches
him
that
people
must
be
born
again
to
enter
the
kingdom
of
God,
and
speaks
those
familiar
words
For
God
so
loved
the
world,
that
he
gave
his
only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life
.
Jesus
now
begins
his
journey
back
to
Galilee
and
passes
through
Samaria,
where
he
meets
a
woman
at
Jacob’s
well
and
asks
her
for
a
drink.
This
surprises
the
woman
because
of
the
known
animosity
between
Jews
and
Samaritans,
but
Jesus
uses
the
opportunity
to
teach
that
people
will
never
thirst
from
the
water
he
gives,
declaring
himself
as
the
‘living
water’.
He
also
teaches
that
God
is
spirit
and
his
worshippers
must
worship
Him
in
spirit
and
in
truth.
It
is
during
this
encounter
that
he
declares
for
the
first
time
that
he
is
the
Messiah.
[Jn
4:26]
.
The
woman
tells
of
her
meeting
with
Jesus
and
the
Samaritans
urge
him
to
stay
with
them.
Jesus
remains
there
for
two days, during which time many become believers.
Having
already
gained
respect
by
his
miracles
and
teachings,
Jesus
goes
to
his
home
town
of
Nazareth.
As
is
his
custom,
he
goes
to
the
synagogue
where
he
is
invited
to
read
from
Isaiah.
The
congregation
is
impressed
by
his
reading,
recalling
that
he
is
Joseph’s
son.
However,
when
his
teaching
reflects
on
scripture
that
favours
the
Gentiles,
implying
they
are
being
compared
with
the
Jews
of
their
time,
they
are
offended.
They
become
so
angry
that
they
take
him
out
of
the
city
to
the
brow
of
a
hill
with
intent
to
kill
him,
but
he
is
able to slip away from them.
Jesus
leaves
Nazareth
and
again
goes
to
Cana
where
he
previously
turned
water
into
wine.
Here
he
is
approached
by
a
nobleman
whose
son
is
dying.
Jesus
tells
him
to
return
home
as
his
son
will
live.
He
believes
Jesus,
and
on
the
way
home
is
met
by
his
servants
and
told
his
son
is
well.
Enquiring
when
his
son
became
well,
he
realises
it
was
the
exact
time
that
Jesus
had
said
to
him
Thy
son
liveth
, and he and his whole household become believers.
To Capernaum
[Mat 4:12-25]
Jesus
now
goes
to
Capernaum
which
is
to
become
his
base
whilst
ministering
in
Galilee.
On
the
shore
he
meets
Simon
Peter
and
Andrew,
who
now
become
his
full-time
disciples.
A
little
farther
on
he
calls
two
more
fishermen
to
join
him,
John,
also
to
now
become
a
full-time disciple, and his brother James, sons of Zebedee.
At
the
first
opportunity,
they
all
go
to
the
synagogue
where
Jesus
is
able
to
read
from
the
scriptures
and
teach.
In
the
synagogue
there
is
a
demon
-possessed
man
from
whom
the
demon
cries
out
to
Jesus,
calling
him
by
name
and
recognising
him
as
being
the
Holy
one
of
God
.
Jesus
rebukes
the
demon,
telling
him
to
keep
quiet
and
to
leave
the
man.
The
incident
becomes
known
and
Jesus’
fame
spreads throughout Galilee.
The
next
morning,
Jesus
rises
early
to
pray
before
taking
his
disciples
with
him
to
preach
in
the
synagogues
throughout
Galilee.
It
is
around this time that Jesus selects other disciples who are to be amongst his twelve.
Jesus’
fame
spreads
throughout
Syria
with
multitudes
coming
to
seek
and
follow
him.
They
come
from
Galilee,
Decapolis,
Jerusalem,
Judea and beyond the Jordan.
The Sermon on the Mount
[Mat 5-7]
Jesus
goes
up
a
mountain
with
the
crowds
following
him.
His
disciples
gather
around
and
Jesus,
specifically
addressing
his
disciples,
teaches them what it means to be a true follower of Christ.
He
begins
by
telling
them
the
attitude
they
should
have
in
their
hearts,
their
inner
selves
(these
verses
are
known
as
the
Beatitudes)
and
how
they
are
to
be
an
example
to
all
men.
Jesus
then
tells
how
the
law
should
be
understood,
not
as
the
Pharisees
teach
it,
but
how
God
intended
it
to
be,
not
simply
as
a
law
concerning
outward
behaviour,
but
concerning
the
inner
thoughts
of
the
heart. Examples are given concerning murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, the true meaning of ‘an eye for an eye’ and of love.
Jesus
then
tells
how
important
it
is
that
their
motivation
should
be
such
that
they
are
seeking
respect
from
God,
and
not
from
men.
In
this
he
gives
examples
of
the
Pharisees
who
seek
the
admiration
of
men
by
their
public
display
in
their
giving,
praying
and
fasting.
These
things
are
best
done
privately,
otherwise
the
only
reward
might
be
that
received
at
the
time,
the
admiration
of
others.
They
are
to
seek
rewards
in
heaven,
to
trust
in
God
rather
than
worry
about
the
cares
of
this
world,
and
to
first
seek
the
kingdom
of
heaven
and
righteousness, then all else will follow.
Jesus
then
warns
them
not
to
judge
others
hypocritically,
as
they
will
also
be
judged
by
the
same
measure.
Also,
to
be
cautious
about whom they judge and minister to, as there are those who are unapproachable and would simply turn on them.
They
are
to
look
to
God
in
prayer
for
their
needs
as
disciples,
to
treat
others
as
they
would
want
to
be
treated
themselves,
and
ensure
they
keep
to
the
teachings
He
has
given
them,
being
aware
there
will
be
false
teachers
and
prophets
attempting
to
influence
them.
Jesus
finishes
this
teaching
with
a
short
story
that
emphasise
the
importance
of
knowing
him,
and
hence
the
importance
of
acting
on his words, not simply remembering them.
A collection of miracles
[Mat 8-9]
As
they
are
coming
down
from
the
mountainside,
a
man
with
leprosy
kneels
before
Jesus
and
asks
to
be
healed.
Jesus
obliges,
but
instructs him not to tell anyone.
When
Jesus
enters
Capernaum,
a
Roman
centurion
comes
to
him
and
asks
for
his
servant
to
be
healed.
When
Jesus
offers
to
go
to
his
house,
the
centurion
declines,
knowing
Jesus
only
has
to
speak
and
his
servant
will
be
healed.
Jesus
points
out
to
those
following
him that this centurion’s faith is greater than any he has found in Israel. The centurion’s servant is healed that very hour.
Jesus
and
his
disciples
then
go
to
Peter
and
Andrew’s
house
where
Jesus
cures
their
mother-in-law
of
a
fever.
That
evening,
crowds
gather outside and Jesus heals many, casting out demons. He asks that those healed tell no one in case they should reveal who he is.
At
some
point,
Jesus
gets
into
a
boat
with
his
disciples
and
begins
to
cross
the
lake.
As
they
are
crossing,
a
storm
comes
that
is
so
furious
that
it
frightens
the
disciples.
To
their
amazement,
Jesus
is
able
to
calm
the
storm
by
rebuking
the
winds
and
waves.
When
they
arrive
at
the
other
side,
they
are
met
by
two
demon-possessed
men
who
are
known
to
be
very
violent.
Following
an
exchange
with
Jesus,
the
demons
are
permitted
to
enter
some
pigs
that
then
rush
into
the
water
and
drown.
The
whole
town
becomes
aware
of
this
and come out to meet Jesus, pleading with him to leave their region, for the pigs were their livelihood.
They
then
return
across
the
sea
and
go
to
Capernaum
where
a
paralytic
man
is
brought
to
Jesus.
He
is
first
told
by
Jesus
his
sins
are
forgiven.
Some
scribes
nearby
consider
Jesus
to
be
blaspheming
by
forgiving
sins,
but
Jesus
knows
their
thoughts
and
asks
them
which
is
easier
to
do,
to
say
‘Your
sins
are
forgiven’
or
‘Get
up
and
walk’.
He
then
demonstrates
his
authority
by
healing
the
paralytic,
and the crowd gives praise to God.
It
is
after
this
that
Matthew
leaves
his
job
as
a
tax
collector
to
become
one
of
Jesus’
disciples.
They
are
all
eating
at
Matthew’s
house
where
other
tax
collectors
and
sinners
join
them.
This
is
seen
by
the
Pharisees
who
question
Jesus’
disciples,
asking
why
their
teacher
mixes
with
these
people
who
are
not
normally
acceptable
to
Jews.
On
hearing
this,
Jesus
admonishes
them
saying
that
he
desires
mercy,
not
sacrifice
,
and
tells
them
to
go
and
learn
from
scripture
what
he
means
by
this.
He
also
tells
them
that
he
has
come
to call sinners, not the righteous.
Later,
John
the
Baptist’s
disciples
come
to
ask
Jesus
why
his
disciples
do
not
fast
like
them
and
the
Pharisees.
Jesus
responds
using
a
parable
concerning
old
and
new
garments
and
wineskins,
a
covert
criticism
of
the
self-righteousness
of
the
Pharisees.
(His
ways
do
not fit their ways).
At
that
time,
a
ruler
comes
and
kneels
before
Jesus,
asking
him
to
come
and
lay
hands
on
his
daughter
who
had
just
died.
Jesus
agrees,
and
as
he
and
his
disciples
are
on
their
way
to
the
ruler’s
house,
a
woman,
who
has
been
suffering
from
bleeding
for
twelve
years,
touches
Jesus’
cloak
and
is
immediately
healed.
They
then
go
on
to
the
ruler’s
house
where
Jesus
raises
his
daughter
back
to
life. After this, two blind men’s sight is restored by Jesus, and later, a demon-possessed mute is healed and is able to speak again.
It is at this point the Pharisees claim that Jesus is driving out demons with the authority of the Devil.
The commissioning of the twelve disciples
[Mat 10]
Jesus
next
goes
through
all
the
towns
and
villages
of
Galilee,
teaching
in
the
synagogues,
preaching
the
good
news
of
the
kingdom,
and
healing
people
of
all
kinds
of
diseases
and
sickness.
There
are
now
a
great
number
of
people
in
need
of
his
ministering,
so
Jesus
gathers
his
chosen
twelve
disciples
to
prepare
them
for
the
task.
They
are
Simon
(who
is
called
Peter),
his
brother
Andrew,
James
and
John,
sons
of
Zebedee,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Thomas,
Matthew,
James
(son
of
Alphaeus,
not
Jesus’
brother),
Lebbaeus,
Simon
the
Canaanite
and
Judas
Iscariot.
Jesus
commissions
them
to
go
and
preach
the
kingdom
of
heaven
is
at
hand
,
but
commands
them
not
to
go
to
the
Gentiles
or
Samaritans,
but
to
go
only
to
the
lost
sheep
of
Israel
.
They
are
given
instructions
on
how
they
are
to
go
about
their task, and given authority to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and to cast out demons.
Ministering throughout Galilee
[Mat 11-12]
Now
John
the
Baptist,
who
has
been
imprisoned,
sends
two
of
his
disciples
to
Jesus
to
get
confirmation
that
he
is
the
Messiah.
Jesus
tells
them
to
go
back
to
John
and
report
the
things
they
have
witnessed
and
heard
concerning
his
healing
works,
knowing
that
John
would
recognise
these
as
having
been
prophesied
by
Isaiah.
Turning
to
the
crowd,
Jesus
talks
to
them
about
John
the
Baptist,
commending
him.
He
then
speaks
against
the
cities,
where
most
of
his
good
works
had
been
done,
for
not
repenting,
mentioning
Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum by name.
Some
time
later,
on
the
Sabbath,
Jesus
is
walking
through
the
cornfields
with
his
disciples
who
are
feeling
hungry
and
so
pluck
and
eat
ears
of
corn.
The
Pharisees
see
this
and
question
Jesus
because
they
view
this
act
as
work,
which
is
not
lawful
on
the
Sabbath.
Jesus
rebukes
them
citing
David
eating
the
shewbread
when
he
was
hungry,
and
how
priests
by
the
law
work
in
the
temple
on
the
Sabbath.
Jesus
then
questions
their
understanding
of
the
scripture
that
says
For
I
desire
mercy
and
not
sacrifice
[Hos
6:6]
,
having
stated he is greater than the temple and that
the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day
.
Jesus
leaves
them
and
goes
to
the
synagogue.
There
he
finds
a
man
with
a
withered
hand
and
seizes
the
opportunity
to
confront
the
Pharisees
by
healing
him.
The
Pharisees
then
begin
to
plot
against
Jesus
and
discus
how
they
might
destroy
him,
but
Jesus,
knowing
their thoughts, slips away.
Later,
a
blind
and
dumb
man,
possessed
with
a
demon,
is
brought
to
Jesus
and
is
completely
healed
by
him.
The
people,
amazed
at
what
they
have
witnessed,
begin
to
recognise
that
this
man
might
be
the
son
of
David.
When
the
Pharisees
hear
this
they,
for
the
second
time,
accuse
Jesus
of
casting
out
demons
in
the
name
of
the
Devil.
Jesus
is
offended
by
this
accusation
and
tells
them
that
he
casts
out
demons
by
the
Spirit
of
God.
He
explains
the
fault
in
their
kind
of
logic
and
warns
them
that
blasphemy
against
the
Holy
Spirit
will
not
be
forgiven.
The
Pharisees,
despite
what
they
have
witnessed,
ask
Jesus
for
a
sign.
He
again
rebukes
them
and,
referring
to Jonah, covertly prophesies his death and resurrection.
Later,
his
mother
and
brethren
come
to
speak
with
Jesus.
When
Jesus
is
told
they
are
waiting
to
see
him,
he
gestures
towards
his
disciples
saying
Behold
my
mother
and
my
brethren!
For
whosoever
shall
do
the
will
of
my
Father
which
is
in
heaven,
the
same
is
my
brother, and sister, and mother
.
The Kingdom Parables
[Mat 13]
The
same
day
Jesus
goes
and
sits
by
the
sea
and
a
large
crowd
gathers
around
him.
The
crowd
grows
so
great
that
Jesus
gets
into
a
boat
and
sits
a
little
way
off
from
the
shore.
He
then
speaks
to
them
in
parables,
the
first
being
the
parable
of
the
sower
who
sows
seeds
on
various
types
of
ground.
When
his
disciples
ask
why
he
speaks
in
parables,
Jesus
explains
that
it
is
so
that
only
the
spiritually
discerning
can
understand
and
receive
the
benefits.
Jesus
then
explains
the
parable
of
the
sower,
providing
a
key
to
understanding
further
parables.
He
then
goes
on
to
tell
the
parable
of
the
tares
which
the
enemy
sows
amongst
the
wheat.
The
next
two
parables
are
given,
the
first
telling
of
the
mustard
seed
which
grows
unnaturally
large
so
that
birds
(representing
the
devil,
from
the
parable
of
the
sower)
are
able
to
lodge
in
its
branches.
The
next
tells
of
leaven
(idiomatic
of
sin)
hidden
in
three
measures
of
meal,
contaminating
the
whole.
Jesus
then
sends
the
crowd
away
and
returns
to
the
house
where
his
disciples
ask
for
an
explanation
of
the
parable
of
the
tares.
This
Jesus
does
and
tells
them
three
more
parables
likening
the
kingdom
of
heaven
to
treasure
hidden
in
a
field,
a
pearl
of
great
price
and
a
net
cast
into
the
sea
gathering
good
and
bad,
the
bad
being
eventually
cast
away.
Jesus
asks
his
disciples
if
they
understood
these parables, to which they replied they did.
Jesus
then
leaves
the
house
and
returns
to
Nazareth
to
teach
in
the
synagogue.
The
people
are
so
astonished
at
his
teaching,
his
words
of
wisdom
and
the
mighty
works
they
know
he
has
done,
that
they
question
how
the
son
of
a
carpenter,
whose
brethren
they
knew
and
still
live
amongst
them,
could
possibly
attain
such
abilities.
Jesus
tells
them
A
prophet
is
not
without
honour,
save
in
his
own
country, and in his own house.
Because of their unbelief, Jesus no longer ministers in Nazareth.
Jesus withdraws from Galilee
[Mat 14:1-17:21]
Herod’s reaction to Jesus’ ministry
[Mat 14:1-12]
A
while
back,
Herod
the
tetrarch
had
beheaded
John
the
Baptist
on
the
occasion
of
Herod’s
birthday.
John
had
been
imprisoned
for
speaking
against
the
marriage
of
Herod
to
Herodias,
his
brother
Philip’s
wife,
because
it
was
unlawful.
Herodias
had
her
daughter
dance
for
Herod
and
he
was
so
aroused
that
he
rashly
promised
her
up
to
half
his
kingdom.
Having
been
coached
by
her
mother,
she
asked
for
the
head
of
John
the
Baptist
on
a
platter.
The
request
dismayed
Herod,
but
his
promise
was
made
in
front
of
all
his
guests,
so
John
was executed. Now, when the fame of Jesus reaches Herod’s ears, he fears that Jesus might be John the Baptist risen from the dead.
Feeding the 5000 on the eastern shore of Galilee
[Mat 14:13-15:20]
After
burying
John,
his
disciples
come
to
Jesus
and
tell
him
of
all
that
had
happened.
Jesus,
wanting
to
spend
some
time
alone,
crosses
the
sea
by
ship
to
a
quiet
place.
But
the
people,
hearing
of
this,
gather
and
go
around
the
coast
to
meet
him.
When
Jesus
reaches
the
shore
and
sees
all
these
people,
he
is
filled
with
compassion
and
heals
their
sick.
When
evening
comes,
the
disciples
become
concerned
the
crowd
will
not
have
time
to
get
to
a
town
to
buy
food.
The
disciples
have
just
five
loaves
and
two
fishes
between
them.
Jesus
asks
the
people
to
sit,
he
looks
to
heaven,
blesses
and
breaks
the
food,
then
gives
it
to
his
disciples
to
distribute
amongst
the
people.
When
they
have
finished
eating,
there
are
still
twelve
baskets
of
fragments
remaining,
having
amply
fed
five
thousand
men
plus
women
and
children.
The
crowd
is
dispersed
and
Jesus
sends
his
disciples
back
across
the
sea
while
he
goes
up
the
mountain
to
be
alone
and
pray.
During
the
night,
when
the
disciples’
boat
is
in
the
middle
of
the
sea,
the
weather
changes
and
a
strong
wind
begins
to
toss
the
boat
around.
Jesus
is
now
coming
to
join
them
and
is
walking
across
the
sea,
but
they
do
not
recognise
him,
and
thinking
they
are
seeing
a
spirit
they
become
fearful.
When
Jesus
calls
out
to
them,
Peter
asks
if
he
can
walk
on
the
water
to
meet
him.
When
he
does
he
is
distracted
by
the
waves,
begins
to
sink
and
calls
out
to
Jesus
to
save
him.
Jesus
reaches
out
to
Peter,
telling
him
that
he
started
to
sink
through
lack
of
faith.
When
the
two
get
into
the
ship,
the
wind
ceases
and
the
disciples
worship
Jesus,
acknowledging
he
is
the
Son
of
God.
Later,
the
Pharisees
again
challenge
Jesus,
this
time
asking
why
his
disciples
ignore
the
tradition
of
the
elders
by
not
going
through
the
elaborate
ritual
required
when
washing
their
hands
before
they
eat.
Jesus
rebukes
them,
telling
them
that
they
disobey
God’s
law
of
Honour
thy
father
and
mother
by
their
tradition
through
which,
in
declaring
their
actions
toward
their
parents
as
a
gift
by
which
their
parents
will
profit
(called
‘Corban’),
they
avoid
any
commitment.
Jesus
tells
them,
and
later
explains
to
his
disciples,
that
it
is
not
what
goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth, which is from the heart.
To Phoenicia
[Mat 15:21-28]
Jesus
then
goes
to
the
region
of
Tyre
and
Sidon
from
where
a
woman
comes
to
him
begging
for
mercy,
and
help
with
her
daughter
who
is
suffering
badly
from
possession
by
the
Devil.
He
initially
ignores
her
but
draws
out
a
confession
of
faith
whereby
she,
as
a
Gentile,
likens herself to a puppy being given food from its master’s table. Jesus acknowledges her great faith and her daughter is healed.
Jesus feeds the 4000 at Decapolis
[Mat 15:29-16:12]
Jesus
then
moves
on
and
comes
to
a
mountainside
by
the
Sea
of
Gaililee,
where
great
multitudes
come
with
many
sick
people
requiring
healing.
After
three
days,
Jesus
has
compassion
for
them
and
seeks
to
feed
them.
As
with
the
five
thousand
before,
the
people
are
all
fed
by
the
multiplication
of
food.
This
time
it
is
from
seven
loaves
and
a
few
little
fishes,
feeding
four
thousand
men
besides women and children, and having seven baskets left over when all are fed.
The
people
are
then
all
sent
away
and
Jesus
goes
by
boat
to
the
coast
of
Magdala.
Here
the
Pharisees
and
Sadducees
approach
Jesus
asking
for
a
sign
from
heaven,
but
they
are
rebuked
for
not
recognising
the
signs
of
the
times
from
scripture.
He
then
turns
to
his
disciples
warning
them
to
Take
heed
and
beware
of
the
leaven
of
the
Pharisees
and
of
the
Sadducees.
At
first
they
don’t
understand,
confusing
the
warning
with
their
lack
of
bread.
Jesus
reminds
them
of
the
feeding
of
the
five
thousand
then
four
thousand,
emphasising
that
lack
of
food
isn’t
a
problem
and
that
his
warning
is
specifically
against
the
leaven
of
the
Pharisees
and
Sadducees.
The penny drops and they realise Jesus is warning them against their doctrine.
To Caesarea Philippi
[Mat 16:13-17:21]
They
then
travel
on
to
the
region
of
Caesarea
Philippi
where
Jesus
asks
them
who
they
think
he
is,
to
which
Peter
acknowledges
him
as
the
Christ,
the
Son
of
the
living
God
.
Jesus
tells
Peter
(whose
name
means
a
rock
or
stone,
that
is,
a
little
rock)
that
this
was
revealed
to
him
by
the
Spirit
and
that
his
church
would
be
built
on
this
rock
(that
is
a
‘mass
of
rock’,
meaning
Jesus
himself).
They
are
told
not
to
reveal
to
anyone
that
he
is
the
Messiah.
From
this
point
on,
Jesus
begins
to
explain
that
he
must
go
to
Jerusalem
where
he
will
suffer
at
the
hands
of
the
elders,
chief
priests
and
scribes,
be
killed
and
will
rise
again
on
the
third
day.
Peter
rebukes
Jesus
for
thinking
this way, but is told that his thoughts are from Satan, contrasting with his earlier revelation from God.
Six
days
later,
Jesus
takes
Peter,
James
and
John
up
a
mountain
where
they
witness
his
transfiguration
and
meeting
with
Moses
and
Elijah. The three are told not to mention what they have seen to anyone until after his resurrection.
Soon
after,
they
join
a
multitude
of
people
amongst
whom
is
a
man
whose
son
is
possessed,
and
whom
the
disciples
were
not
previously
able
to
heal.
Jesus
rebukes
the
devil,
and
the
child
is
cured.
When
asked
by
his
disciples
why
they
were
unable
to
cure
him,
he tells them that their faith was not strong enough but, in any event, this kind of exorcism would have required prayer and fasting.
Jesus’ last ministry in Galilee
[Mat 17:22-18:35]
Jesus discusses his death
[Mat 17:22-23]
Whilst still in Galilee, Jesus again tells his disciples how he will be betrayed and killed, but will rise again on the third day.
Temple tax
[Mat 17:24-27]
When
they
then
arrive
at
Capernaum,
Peter
is
approached
by
the
tax
collectors
asking
if
Jesus
pays
his
tribute.
He
replies
yes,
but
Jesus
later
explains
to
Peter
how
he,
Jesus,
shouldn’t
be
obliged
to
pay
tribute,
being
the
‘heir
to
the
kingdom’.
But
to
avoid
offence,
the tribute money is miraculously provided from the mouth of a fish caught by Peter.
Offences
[Mat 18]
His
disciples
had
been
disputing
which
of
them
should
be
the
greatest
in
the
kingdom
of
heaven,
and
put
the
question
to
Jesus.
He
doesn’t
answer
their
question
as
asked,
but
draws
a
child
to
him
and
tells
them
that
anyone
with
the
faith
of
a
little
child
will
enter
the
kingdom,
and
anyone
that
humbles
himself
as
a
little
child
will
be
among
the
greatest
in
the
kingdom
of
heaven.
Then,
using
children
as
a
metaphor
for
those
who
are
truly
humble
in
their
faith,
Jesus
warns
of
the
consequences
of
anyone
who
offends
such
a
person,
for
he came to save the lost, and it is the will of the Father that none of those saved should perish.
Whilst
speaking
of
offences,
Jesus
provides
a
three
stage
approach
for
dealing
with
unrepentant
sinners
within
the
church
community:
to
approach
the
offender
on
a
one-to-one
basis,
to
then
take
one
or
more
witnesses
to
convict
the
sinner,
and
finally
to
bring the matter before the church. If none of these actions bear fruit, then the offender is to be treated as an outcast.
Peter
asks
Jesus
how
often
he
should
forgive
the
same
sin
committed
against
him,
till
seven
times?
to
which
Jesus
replies
seventy
times
seven.
Jesus
then
relates
the
parable
of
the
unforgiving
servant,
representing
the
extent
of
God’s
forgiveness
and
the
forgiveness
we are consequently expected to extend to others.
Hierarchical Précis