Questions for Early Galilean ministry (27 AD) Sections 35-43
35. The ministry of Jesus begins: arrival in Galilee (Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 4:12-17; Luke 3:23a; John 4:43-45)
Located on a major trade route, Capernaum was an important city in the region, with a Roman garrison and a customs station. Capernaum was where Matthew was called and was also the home of several other disciples (Matthew 4:13-19). It was the home of a high-ranking government official (John 4:46). It had at least one major synagogue. Although Jesus condemned Capernaum for its people’s lack of belief (Matthew 11:23; Luke 10:15), Capernaum became Jesus’ home base during His ministry in Galilee. Why do you think that is?
Once in Capernaum, Jesus began preaching the same message John the Baptist had proclaimed in Judea: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17, see 3:2). What had John meant by the message, and what did Jesus mean by it?
Do you feel that this message has changed today?
Why is repentance necessary before you can legitimately welcome the Lord as King of your life?
Jesus proclaimed God’s Good News when the time was “ripe”. Jesus had been born when the “fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4) had come. There is a “ripe” time in the experience of each individual too, for the reception of God’s Good News. “Now is the acceptable time” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Why do you think Jesus chose this particular moment in time to begin His ministry?
Jesus moved from Nazareth, his hometown, to Capernaum, about 20 miles further north. Capernaum became Jesus’ home base during his ministry in Galilee. Jesus probably moved (1) to get away from intense opposition in Nazareth, (2) to have an impact on the greatest number of people (Capernaum was a busy city, and Jesus’ message could reach more people and spread more quickly), and (3) to utilize extra resources and support for His ministry. What can we learn from Jesus in our own evangelistic efforts?
How do you think this message was taken in view of the recent imprisonment of John? a) By John the Baptist; b) By Herod Antipas; c) By the people
What has changed in each of the following areas because Christ now rules in your life? a) Your allegiance; b) Your expectations; c) Your values; d) Your priorities; e) Your lifelong mission
36. Jesus announces Himself and is rejected (Luke 4:16-30)
Synagogues were very important in Jewish religious life. During the Exile, when the Jews no longer had their Temple, synagogues were established as places of worship on the Sabbath and as schools for young boys during the week. Synagogues continued to exist even after the Temple was rebuilt. A synagogue could be set up in any town where there were at least 10 Jewish families. It was administered by one leader and an assistant. At the synagogue, the leader often would invite a visiting rabbi to read from the Scriptures and teach. Apparently, even though they knew Jesus as the hometown son of a local carpenter, they did consider Him to be a rabbi worthy to read the Scriptures and teach in their synagogue.
Jesus went to the synagogue “as usual.” Even though He was the perfect Son of God, His local synagogue undoubtedly left much to be desired, and He held a regular and physically demanding job as a carpenter, Jesus attended services every week. What is the obvious application?
Luke 4:18 tells us of the Lord’s ministry to meet every human need. As disciples of Christ, how are we to fulfill the Master’s purpose by proclaiming the following?
The Good News to the poor
That the captives will be released
That the blind will see
That the downtrodden will be free from their oppressors
That the time of the Lord’s favor has come
The “favorable year of the Lord” is referring to the Messianic age, not a calendar year. The quote is from Isaiah 61:1-2 and refers to the year of the Jubilee. This is something that happened every fifty years according to Leviticus 25:8-55. During the year of the Jubilee, slaves were freed, debts were canceled, and property that had been confiscated was returned. Why do you think Jesus chose to allude to this passage of all the passages He could have chosen? How should we then choose to preach?
This is one of the earliest records of what took place in a Jewish synagogue service. As was the custom, Jesus stood to read the Scriptures and sat to teach. Why do you think He did that?
What should be the role of physical rituals in worship?
The initial reaction of Jesus’ hearers was favorable. However, as He continued, they began to wonder and raise questions in their minds. They were troubled by the discrepancy between what their eyes perceived and what their ears were hearing. Do people still have this problem today?
Jesus’ ministry was as broad as human need and could not be confined to His hometown nor even to His own nation. The people of His hometown become so angry at this notion that they tried to kill Him. Why do you think they reacted so strongly?
What should we learn from this?
Jesus purposefully taught that there were many widows who suffered during the drought who received no relief from God and that there were many lepers in Israel who had not been healed. What do you make of these facts of history?
What moved each of the following people to believe in Jesus? a) His disciples (John 1:35-49, 2:11); b) The people in Jerusalem (John 2:23); c) The woman of Sychar (John 4:16-29); d) The other Samaritans of Sychar (John 4:39-42)
What is wrong with the kind of belief that is based only on seeing signs and wonders (4:48)?
How did Jesus require a deeper faith from the royal official (4:49-53)?
This man was evidently a government official, an officer in Herod’s service. Herod, a wicked, immoral man had just had Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist imprisoned for preaching the truth. What do we learn from Jesus’ example of granting this officer’s request?
This officer, who had legal authority over Jesus, had walked twenty miles to see Jesus and then addressed Him as “Lord.” Do you think this had anything to do with Jesus’ decision to grant his request?
The officer’s faith preceded the reception of the miracle. He believed; THEN he saw a miraculous sign. What does this teach us?
A sign points toward God, reveals the nature of Jesus’ mission and character, and demands a response. How did this second sign at Cana do each of these things? a) How did it point toward God? b) What did it reveal about Jesus’ mission and character? c) What response did it demand?
Did Jesus accept people who believed because of His miracles (John 2:11; 6:26; 14:11; 20:30-31)? Why or why not?
Did faith based on miracles alone satisfy Jesus (John 2:23-24; 4:48; 20:29)? Why or why not?
What do you think mature faith is based on? (For an example see James 1:2-5)
38. Four disciples follow Jesus after a miracle catch (Mark 1:16-20; Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11)
Before Jesus called the Galilean fishermen to be His permanent disciples, He had met them in Judea when they were following John the Baptist (John 1:35-51). Indeed, they may have listened to Jesus teach just the day before He called them (Luke 5:1-11).
Fishing was a major industry around the Sea of Galilee. Fishing with nets was the most common method. Capernaum, the largest of the more than thirty fishing towns around the lake at that time, became Jesus’ new home. Why do you think Jesus chose to make this His new home?
Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee used nets, often bell-shaped nets with lead weights around the edges. A net would be thrown flat into the water, and the lead weights would cause it to sink around the fish. Then the fishermen would pull on a cord, drawing the net around the fish. What do we learn about these disciples by this?
Nets had to be kept in good condition, so they were washed to remove weeks and then mended. What do we learn from the fact that James and John were doing this even though a large crowd was nearby listening to Jesus?
What do you make of the fact that they were commercial fishermen with several boats at their command?
Why do you think He chose these particular men from among all the other fishermen around the area that day?
Was this the only time Jesus called Peter (Simon), James, and John? (John 1:35-42)
Simon Peter was a professional fisherman. Jesus was a carpenter. What would most people have done when given a command by a non-professional?
What bearing did Simon Peter’s obedience to Jesus’ command to fish in deeper water have on his calling?
We often assume that Jesus’ disciples were great men of faith form the first time they met Jesus. However, they had to grow in their faith just as all believers do. Look up the following references and summarize what happened in each case.
Mark 14:48-50
Mark 14:66-72
John 14:1-9
John 20:26-29
Peter, Andrew, James, and John left secure family businesses in order to announce the kingdom of heaven. What has the Lord replaced in your life with the commission to share the good news?
39. Jesus heals a demoniac at Capernaum (Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37)
Because the Temple in Jerusalem was too far for many Jews to travel to regularly for worship, many towns had synagogues serving both as places of worship and as schools. What is the role of education in our church?
What subjects should be within the purview of a church?
Because there were often no permanent rabbis or teachers, it was customary for the synagogue leader to ask visiting teachers to speak. This is why Jesus often spoke in the synagogues in the towns He visited. What is the role of lay preaching in our church? What should we do about this ministry?
Jesus had recently moved to Capernaum form Nazareth (Matthew 4:12-13). Capernaum was a thriving town with great wealth as well as great sin and decadence. Because it was the headquarters for many Roman troops, pagan influences from all over the Roman Empire were pervasive. Of all the places that Jesus could choose to start His ministry in earnest, why do you think He chose Capernaum? How should we then determine our places of ministry?
The Jewish teachers often quoted from well-known rabbis to give their words authority. Jesus only quoted scripture and told stories. Why do you think the people reacted as they did?
Evil spirits, or demons, are ruled by Satan. They work to tempt people to sin. They were not created by Satan – because God is the Creator of all. Rather, they are fallen angels who joined Satan in his rebellion. What can we learn about demons from this passage?
Is all mental illness demonically inspired?
Notice that the demon-possessed man was in the synagogue. What common misconception about church does this shed light on?
Notice that Jesus did not conduct an elaborate exorcism ritual. What do we learn from this?
Why do you think Jesus told the demon to be silent, when the demon was describing Him as the Holy One sent from God?
Because evil permeates our world, we are often subject to fear. What can we learn about conquering the fear of evil from this passage?
Jesus refused to perform miracles to rescue Himself (Luke 4:1-4; Matthew 26:51-54; 27:39-44). They were for the benefit of others, which is why His miracles are acts of mercy. Undoubtedly, great gratitude arose in the hearts of the recipients, but responses were often quite varied among non-recipients. These other responses stand out when we remember they were in effect a response to God visiting His people (Luke 7:16). What is the response in Capernaum when He heals a paralytic man? (Mark 2:1-12)
What is the response of His disciples when Jesus stills the storm? (Mark 4:35-41)
What is the response of the Gadarenes when Jesus casts a legion of spirits out of a demon-possessed man? (Mark 5:1-20)
What is the general response of those in Nazareth to Jesus’ mighty works? (Mark 6:1-6)
40. Jesus heals Simon Peter's mother-in-law and many others (Mark 1:29-34; Matthew 8:14-17; Luke 4:38-41)
What do we learn about Jesus from His going to Simon Peter’s home, and His healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law?
What does this tell us about Him as a leader? What does this teach us about leadership?
Each Gospel writer had a slightly different perspective as he wrote; thus, the comparable stories in the Gospels often highlight different details. In Matthew, Jesus touched the woman’s hand. In Mark, He helped her up. In Luke, He spoke to the fever, and it left her. The accounts do not conflict. Each writer chose to emphasize different details of the story in order to emphasize a certain characteristic of Jesus. What did each detail emphasize about Jesus?
Speaking to and rebuking the fever:
Touching the woman’s hand:
Helping her up:
Notice what she did immediately after her healing. What are we to learn about Jesus’ provision from that?
What do we learn about our reactions to Jesus’ provision?
The Jewish leaders had proclaimed that it was against the law to be healed on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:10, Luke 13:14). Where in the Old Testament law was this principle to be found?
Because of this proclamation, and because this was the Sabbath (1:21), their day of rest, lasting from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, the people had to wait to come to Jesus in the evening after sunset. What do we learn from this?
Why didn’t Jesus want the demons to reveal who He was?
Through a single touch, Jesus healed (8:3, 15); when He spoke a single word, evil spirits fled His presence (8:16). What do you think this shows about Jesus’ Kingly authority?
What does this teach us about eschatology, the study of last things or the end of time?
The demons called Jesus “Son of God” or “the Holy One sent from God” (4:34) because they knew He was the Christ. Compare this to James 2:19 and discuss the ramifications on salvation.
Luke was a physician. He knew the various diseases and their normal treatments well. What should our impression of his testimony therefore be?
What impression do you think Jesus’ various healings made on Luke?
41. Jesus' first tour of Galilee (Mark 1:35-39; Luke 4:42-44; Matthew 4:23-25)
The previous day (Mark 1:21-34) had been an exhausting one for the Lord Jesus. As night came on, rest and sleep must have been welcome indeed. Desire for sleep, however, did not keep Him from seeking time alone with God. While it was yet dark, the next morning (Mark 1:35), He rose and went to a lonely place to commune with His Father. What does this teach us in our pressured, fast-paced world of today about the role of prayer?
Where does this place our physical needs in a hierarchy of priorities?
Compare the following references in order to get a holistic view:
Leviticus 14:54-57
Matthew 15:19-20
Luke 2:52
John 2:1-2
1 Timothy 4:12
When Peter and his companions awoke and missed Jesus, they “diligently searched” for Him. The Greek word means that they pursued Him. How do we do this today?
It seems that they feared He would leave them permanently. Should we have this fear? Why or why not? Can you back your view up with Scripture?
They told Him that “everyone” was seeking Him, but He found it necessary to remind them that other communities also had needs to which He must minister. There are always “regions beyond” that we must not forget. Are there people in our county that our church is forgetting?
From a Jewish viewpoint, Syria (Matthew 4:24) was Gentile Palestine to the north of Galilee. To the Romans, Syria included all of Palestine, Jew and Gentile. Decapolis and the area beyond the Jordan (v.25) were Gentile territories, so Matthew makes it clear that the message of the kingdom of heaven reached beyond the Jewish people from the earliest phases of Jesus’ ministry. How have you seen the gospel escape “polite society” to touch truly needy people?
Jesus preached the same message John the Baptist had proclaimed in Judea: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17, see 3:2). What had John meant by the message, and what did Jesus mean by it?
Why is repentance necessary before you can legitimately welcome the Lord as King of your life?
The people who came to Jesus early in His ministry were interested primarily in physical blessings – especially in the healing of their sicknesses. Are we sometimes guilty of this same self-centeredness? In what ways?
42. Healing a paralytic (Mark 2:1-12; Matthew 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26)
What risks did the paralytic’s friends take?
Obviously, the four friends believed in Jesus, and the verse says “seeing their faith” Jesus forgave the paralyzed man’s sins. Is this an example or an argument for proxy faith? Can my faith save someone else? Why or why not?
The paralytic’s friends displayed great determination in their mission. Was this more important for them or for the paralytic?
Why did Jesus forgive the paralytic’s sins before healing his body?
Why were the scribes upset when Jesus forgave the paralytic’s sins?
The Pharisees could not wrap their minds around the fact that Jesus was God. This is in stark contrast to Abraham who came to the realization that he was speaking to God and intervened on Sodom’s behalf. Why was it that they could not conceive what their much praised ancestor accepted easily?
Jesus’ attitude and the Pharisees’ attitude varied greatly. What does this story illustrate about attitudes that honor God?
Most of us have developed what psychologists call “selective attention.” It means that we pay attention to those messages with which we agree and screen out those with which we disagree. When it comes to the mass media, we are quick to push buttons, twist dials, and head for the kitchen during commercials. We rarely attend political rallies of the opposition party or even listen to its candidates’ speeches. We base our listening on predetermined agreement, not on any analysis of what is said. In what areas do we Christians have to be cautious of “selective attention”?
How did people respond to the miracle? How is their response different from the way people respond to God’s work today?
What does it mean to be healed spiritually?
In what ways can you identify with the paralytic?
Think of a time when you experienced Christ’s healing touch in your life. How did it affect you?
Many people need God’s spiritual, emotional, or physical healing. In what ways can we share God’s love and forgiveness with them?
When has God exceeded your expectations and provided more than you expected?
In what areas of your life has Christ’s power to forgive and heal been most evident?
43. Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) (Mark 2:13-17; Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 5:27-32)
Levi, or Matthew, was a tax collector, despised by his fellow Jews. Tax collectors extorted all they could get above what the Roman government required them to collect in taxes. What issues do you think Matthew had?
What strengths did Matthew have to have to do that kind of job?
Jesus’ call of Matthew illustrates God’s grace in using a man who was a social outcast. Notice that Matthew was still in that job when Jesus called him. What do you make of that?
In following Jesus, Matthew made a greater sacrifice than did the fishermen Jesus had called. They could return to their fishing if they wished, but Matthew had to renounce his lucrative calling once and for all. What does that tell you about him?
Matthew’s first act was to invite his friends and fellow workers to a dinner in honor of Jesus. How can you apply this to your life?
Jesus welcomed this opportunity to minister to “tax collectors and sinners.” His action offended the scribes and Pharisees, who would not mingle with such reprobates. How do we strike the balance between keeping separate from the world and being in the world, serving it?
In Mark 2:17, Jesus had nothing for self-righteous “religious” people. He came to deal with the unwashed, the defiled, the ignorant, and the erring. He came to save those whose bodies were diseased and whose souls were sick. He came to aid those in need who recognized their need. How should this affect our church’s vision?
Many of Israel’s rank and file “were astonished at His teaching, for Jesus taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22). However, the Pharisees were not so impressed, especially because He had not been trained in either the Pharisaic school of Hillel or Shammai. What should our attitude be concerning education?
What was their point of contention over Jesus’ dealings with the paralyzed man? (Luke 5:17-21).
What was their contention in Mark 2:16?
The Pharisees felt it was more important to avoid ceremonial defilement than to help those in need. According to Luke 5:33 and Mark 7:1-5, the Pharisees say that Jesus does not have enough regard for what two important disciplines of their tradition?
The command to wash their hands (Mark 7:3) is from the tradition later called the Mishnah, a written tradition of the elders, not the Mosaic Law. This ordinance involved washing their hands in a special way, although we cannot be sure exactly what that special way was. One of the Pharisees’ greatest contentions is their perception of Jesus’ attitude toward the Law in general. What is their accusation? (Matthew 5:17)
According to Matthew 12:1-8 and Luke 6:6-11, they accuse Him of having disregard for what else?
What is their contention in Matthew 26:61? John tells us that because of their spiritual blindness they fail to perceive what? (John 2:19-22)
John 5:16-18 records a crowning offense to the Pharisees. What is it?
The Pharisees hound Jesus even in semi-private settings (Mark 2:24). “They watched Him closely…so that they might accuse Him” (Mark 3:2). “Watched closely” (Greek paratereo) has the idea of lying in wait to catch someone in an act of transgression. This mood of criticism prompts public questions aimed at undermining Jesus’ credibility as a spiritual leader (Mark 2:16; 7:5). Read the following verses and note the tactics:a) Matthew 16:1; b) Matthew 22:15-17, Mark 10:2; c) Mark 3:6
