John 4:43-45

PUBLIC TEACHING IN GALILEE

Text 4:43-45

43

And after the two days he went forth from thence into Galilee.

44

For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country.

45

So when he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

Queries

a.

Why did Jesus say a-prophet hath no honor. ?

b.

How did the Galileans receive Him?

Paraphrase

After these two days Jesus went out from Samaria into the province of Galilee. He Himself declared as the reason, A prophet is not famous in his own country. But when He came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed Him with acclaim, having seen everything that He did in Jerusalem during the Feast of Passover, for they also had attended the Feast.

Summary

Jesus goes to Galilee anticipating an unpretentious arrival, but receives public acclaim.

Comment

In John 4:43 the Lord seems to be in a hurry to get to Galilee. With such success in Samaria, He is in danger again of arousing the jealousy of the Pharisees. He proposes to go into Galilee, His home country. The Pharisees were not above following His every movement in order to force the issue, for they later do just that.

John 4:43-44 are John's way of resuming the narrative where he left it in John 4:1-3. Jesus left Judea originally because His growing popularity was about to bring about a premature collision between Him and the rulers (see our comments on John 4:1-3). Add to this the recent success in Samaria, and one begins to understand His determination to go into Galilee. To avoid further antagonizing the rulers, He departs for His own country where He anticipates a quiet arrival, for no prophet is overly-honored in His own country.

He will not always seek to avoid this clash, however, for when the appointed time comes for Him to fulfill all things, He will steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and force the issue with the jealously blind leaders there.

When Jesus arrived in Galilee, however, the people welcomed Him openly (John 4:45). They had been to the Passover (John 2:23) and seen the many signs He did there. Again we see the contrast between the Galileans and the Samaritans. Those of Samaria eagerly welcomed Jesus into their homes, although they had been given no signs; the Galileans received Him primarily because He was a wonder-worker (cf. John 4:48 also).

So Jesus now embarks on a public ministry in Galilee. The ministry which follows, however, seems to speak of a guarded revelation of Himself as compared with the open declaration of Himself in Samaria as the Messiah the Saviour of the world. This Galilean ministry will last approximately sixteen months. There will be only one interruption a brief trip to Jerusalem for a Passover feast recorded in John 5:1-47. It is a ministry almost completely left out of John's gospel except for John 4:43-54 and John 6:1 to John 7:10. But this early Galilean ministry is reported extensively by the Synoptic Gospels (cf. Mt. Chapter s 4-14; Mark 1:1-45; Mark 2:1-28; Mark 3:1-35; Mark 4:1-41; Mark 5:1-43; Mark 6:1-56; Luke 4:1-44; Luke 5:1-39; Luke 6:1-49; Luke 7:1-50; Luke 8:1-56; Luke 9:1-62). See Map No. 3, page 170.

Quiz

1.

Why did Jesus go into Galilee?

2.

What does He mean by saying a prophet hath no honor in his own country?

3.

Why was Jesus popular in Galilee?

4.

How long is the Galilean ministry to last?

5.

What portion of the great Galilean ministry is reported by John?