Matthew 15:29
And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 18
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἦλθεν
and came
G2064
ἦλθεν
and came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
6 of 18
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
παρὰ
nigh unto
G3844
παρὰ
nigh unto
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Γαλιλαίας
of Galilee
G1056
Γαλιλαίας
of Galilee
Strong's:
G1056
Word #:
11 of 18
galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
14 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 4:18And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.Matthew 5:1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:John 6:1After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- 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)?
- What does His sitting position teach about resting in God's sovereignty even while actively engaged in ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.