King James Version

What Does Matthew 4:23 Mean?

Matthew 4:23 in the King James Version says “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Matthew 4:23 · KJV


Context

21

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

22

And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

23

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

24

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

25

And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse summarizes Jesus' three-fold ministry: teaching in synagogues (instruction), preaching the gospel of the kingdom (proclamation), and healing all manner of disease (demonstration). 'All Galilee' shows the comprehensive scope of His early ministry. The combination of word and deed authenticated His message—the kingdom was breaking in through both truth and power.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Synagogues were local gathering places for Scripture reading and teaching. Jesus' regular synagogue teaching shows He worked within Judaism's structures while transforming them. The healings demonstrated the kingdom's power over the curse of sin (disease, demons, death).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' model of teaching, preaching, and healing shape your understanding of ministry?
  2. Which aspect of Jesus' three-fold ministry do you most need to experience?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
καὶ1 of 28

And

G2532

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

περιῆγεν2 of 28

went about

G4013

to take around (as a companion); reflexively, to walk around

ὅλην3 of 28

all

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τὴν4 of 28
G3588

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

Γαλιλαίαν5 of 28

Galilee

G1056

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

6 of 28
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς,7 of 28

Jesus

G2424

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

διδάσκων8 of 28

teaching

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

ἐν9 of 28

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ταῖς10 of 28
G3588

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

συναγωγαῖς11 of 28

synagogues

G4864

an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church

αὐτῶν12 of 28

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ13 of 28

And

G2532

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

κηρύσσων14 of 28

preaching

G2784

to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)

τὸ15 of 28
G3588

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

εὐαγγέλιον16 of 28

the gospel

G2098

a good message, i.e., the gospel

τῆς17 of 28
G3588

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

βασιλείας18 of 28

of the kingdom

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

καὶ19 of 28

And

G2532

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

θεραπεύων20 of 28

healing

G2323

to wait upon menially, i.e., (figuratively) to adore (god), or (specially) to relieve (of disease)

πᾶσαν21 of 28

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

νόσον22 of 28

manner of sickness

G3554

a malady (rarely figuratively, of moral disability)

καὶ23 of 28

And

G2532

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

πᾶσαν24 of 28

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

μαλακίαν25 of 28

manner of disease

G3119

softness, i.e., enervation (debility)

ἐν26 of 28

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ27 of 28
G3588

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

λαῷ28 of 28

the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)


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 4:23 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 4:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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