King James Version

What Does Matthew 15:29 Mean?

Matthew 15:29 in the King James Version says “And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. — study this verse from Matthew chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

Matthew 15:29 · KJV


Context

27

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

29

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

30

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

31

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee (Καὶ μεταβὰς ἐκεῖθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἦλθεν παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν τῆς Γαλιλαίας)—The verb μεταβαίνω (metabainō, 'to pass over, to remove, to depart') indicates deliberate transition from the region of Tyre and Sidon (15:21) back to Jewish territory. Jesus had just healed the Canaanite woman's daughter (15:28), demonstrating mercy to Gentiles, but now returns to minister among His own people. And went up into a mountain, and sat down there (καὶ ἀναβὰς εἰς τὸ ὄρος ἐκάθητο ἐκεῖ)—ascending the mountain and sitting (κάθημαι, kathēmai) was the posture of authoritative teaching (5:1).

Matthew presents Jesus on mountains at key moments: temptation (4:8), Sermon on the Mount (5:1), Transfiguration (17:1), Olivet Discourse (24:3), Great Commission (28:16). Here He sits in the teacher's posture, but what follows is not teaching but healing (v. 30), showing His words and works mutually authenticate His messianic identity. The mountain setting recalls Moses on Sinai, but Jesus surpasses Moses—He doesn't merely mediate God's law but manifests God's healing presence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This likely occurred on the eastern shore of Galilee in the Decapolis region (Mark 7:31), predominantly Gentile territory. Jesus's circular route from Galilee through Phoenicia and back through the Decapolis demonstrated His mission extended beyond Jewish boundaries, foreshadowing the gospel's universal scope (Matthew 28:19). The region's mixed population explains why the crowd glorified 'the God of Israel' (v. 31)—they were Gentiles recognizing Israel's God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's movement between Jewish and Gentile territories model the gospel's 'to the Jew first, and also to the Greek' priority (Romans 1:16)?
  2. What does His sitting position teach about resting in God's sovereignty even while actively engaged in ministry?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
καὶ1 of 18

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μεταβὰς2 of 18

departed

G3327

to change place

ἐκεῖθεν3 of 18

from thence

G1564

thence

4 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς5 of 18

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἦλθεν6 of 18

and came

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

παρὰ7 of 18

nigh unto

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τὴν8 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θάλασσαν9 of 18

the sea

G2281

the sea (genitive case or specially)

τῆς10 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Γαλιλαίας11 of 18

of Galilee

G1056

galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine

καὶ12 of 18

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀναβὰς13 of 18

went up

G305

to go up (literally or figuratively)

εἰς14 of 18

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ15 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄρος16 of 18

a mountain

G3735

a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

ἐκάθητο17 of 18

and sat down

G2521

and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside

ἐκεῖ18 of 18

there

G1563

there; by extension, thither


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 15:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 15:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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