Leslie Coutinho

Matthew 4:12: Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

John the Baptist and Jesus were almost of the same age when the angel of the Lord came to Zacharias and Mary to reveal that a child shall be born. John as he grew up lived in the wilderness and the word of God came to him in the wilderness and then he came to Jordan preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Lk 3:2-3) As was the law of Moses which stated that priest shall begin their public ministry in full, from the age of 30 onwards. (Num 4:2-3,22-23,29-30) Lord Jesus also came at the same time as John when he was about thirty years of age to be baptized (Lk 3:23) then went to begin His ministry for, he was not waiting for the arrest of John the Baptist.

John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus, that is to give knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, by the tender mercy of our God to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death and guide our feet into the way of peace. (Lk 1:76-80) When he came to Jordan all the people were baptized, and Jesus also being baptized people around witnessed and heard the Holy Ghost descending upon Him and saying, "This is my beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased." (Lk 3:21-22) John, who rebuked Herod for the evils which he had done, was then arrested and put in prison and killed.

Numbers 4:30: From thirty years old and upwards even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.

December 01 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that (as expressed in John 4:1-3), Jesus' withdrawal into Galilee was not specifically prompted by John's arrest, but by the reaction of the Pharisees to the fact that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John had. This was not out of fear, but (as occurred at other points in Jesus' ministry, as when He told Mary at the wedding in Cana that His hour had not yet come) so that He would be able to perform and fulfill all the actions intended by the Father prior to His later atoning death and resurrection in Jerusalem.

Also (as John the Baptist himself said in John 3:30) it was God's plan for John to decrease and Jesus to increase. Although I would say that Jesus was not specifically waiting for John's arrest, that arrest was part of the process to which John the Baptist was referring.

December 01 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report