123. Arrived in Galilee, Jesus seems to have returned to his home at
Nazareth, while his disciples went back to their customary occupations,
until he summoned them again to join him in a new ministry (see sect.
125). John assigns to this time the cure of a nobleman's son. The father
sought out Jesus at Cana, having left his son sick at Capernaum. At first
Jesus apparently repelled his approach, even as he had dealt with seekers
after marvels at Jerusalem; but on hearing the father's cry of need and
trust, he at once spoke the word of healing. This event is in so many ways
a duplicate of the cure of a centurion's servant recorded in Matthew and
Luke, that to many it seems but another version of the same incident.
Considering the variations in the story reported by Matthew and Luke, it
is clearly not possible to prove that John tells of a different case. Yet
the simple fact of similarity of some details in two events should not
exclude the possibility of their still being quite distinct. The reception
which Jesus gave the two requests for help is very different, and the case
reported in John is in keeping with the attitude of Jesus before he began
his new ministry in Galilee. On his arrival in Galilee he wished to avoid
a mere wonder faith begotten of the enthusiasm he excited in Jerusalem,
yet this wish yielded at once when a genuine need sought relief at his
hands.
124. The apparent result of this first activity in Judea was
disappointment and failure. He had won no considerable following in the
capital. He had definitely excited the jealousy and opposition of the
leading men of his nation. Even such popular enthusiasm as had followed
his mighty works was of a sort that Jesus could not encourage. The
situation in Judea had at length become so nearly untenable that he
decided to withdraw into seclusion in Galilee, where, as a prophet, he
could be "without honor." He had gone to Jerusalem eager to begin there,
where God should have had readiest service, the ministry of the kingdom of
God. Challenge, cold criticism, and superficial faith were the results. A
new beginning must be made on other lines in other places. Meanwhile Jesus
retired to his home and his followers to theirs.
Outline of Events in the Galilean Ministry (Chapters III. And IV.)
The imprisonment of John and the withdrawal of Jesus into
Galilee--Matt. iv. 12-17; Mark i. 14, 15; Luke iv. 14, 15.
Removal from Nazareth to Capernaum--Matt. iv. 13-16; Luke iv. 31.
The call of Simon and Andrew, James and John--Matt. iv. 18-22; Mark i.
16-20; Luke v. 1-11.
First work in Capernaum--Matt. viii. 14-17; Mark i. 21-34; Luke iv.
31-41.
First circuit of Galilee--Matt. iv. 23; viii. 2-4; Mark i. 35-45; Luke
iv. 42-44; v. 12-16.
Cure of a paralytic in Capernaum--Matt. ix. 2-8; Mark ii. 1-12; Luke v.
17-26.
The call of Matthew--Matt. ix. 9-13; Mark ii. 13-17; Luke v. 27-32.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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