Matthew 4:25
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.
Matthew 4:25 (KJV)
Context
Matthew 4:25 stands at the close of a chapter that records the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. In the preceding verses, Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom, healed every kind of disease and sickness, and cast out demons. His fame spread quickly, and large crowds began to gather and follow Him from many regions.
Meaning
The phrase “great multitudes” shows that Jesus’ message and miracles were drawing widespread attention. The Greek word translated “multitudes” was also used by Jewish teachers of the time to describe large gatherings, underscoring the size and significance of the crowds. People followed Jesus for different reasons: some sought healing, others wanted to hear His teaching, and many were drawn by the miracles they saw. The concourse that followed Him was greater than that which had followed John the Baptist, marking a new stage in God’s redemptive work.
Biblical connections
The regions listed in this verse show how Jesus’ ministry reached beyond the borders of Galilee into Gentile areas and the religious heart of Israel.
Galilee was Jesus’ home region and the primary place where He began His ministry. The crowds from Galilee indicate that His early preaching had already gained strong support.
Decapolis was a federation of ten Greek cities east of the Sea of Galilee. Its mention highlights the expanding reach of Jesus’ ministry into Gentile territory.
Jerusalem was the religious and political center of Judaism. People from Jerusalem had heard about Jesus, and their presence suggests that news of His works had reached the city’s leaders and residents.
Judea, the southern region of Israel, is mentioned alongside Jerusalem, showing that word of Jesus had spread throughout the whole area.
Beyond Jordan refers to the eastern side of the Jordan River, including Perea and parts of modern-day Jordan. The inclusion of this distant region reveals how far Jesus’ fame had traveled.
Application
Matthew 4:25 reminds believers that the gospel is not limited by geography, culture, or ethnicity. Jesus drew people from Jewish and Gentile regions alike, and His message continues to cross every human boundary. Christians today are encouraged to share the gospel with diverse groups of people, trusting that the power of Christ’s teaching and healing can reach lives far and wide.
Reflection
The gathering of these multitudes points to the authority of Jesus and the compelling nature of His ministry. It also foreshadows the Great Commission, in which disciples are sent to all nations. As the crowds came to Jesus from every direction, so the church is called to bring the good news to the ends of the earth.
