Matthew 4:25 · Bible study
Matthew 4:25 Commentary: The Gathering of the Nations to the Messiah
Greek · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore how the diverse regions in Matthew 4:25 reveal Jesus’ messianic mission and universal call. Verse-by-verse commentary with Greek insights.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus draws crowds from every region, Jewish, Gentile, and mixed, demonstrating his universal appeal and fulfilling messianic expectations.
- Key words: “followed” (ēkolouthēsan, aorist active indicative of akoloutheō, “to accompany as a disciple or attendant”); “great multitudes” (ochloi polloi, “large crowds”).
- Main debate: Whether the geographic list is merely a historical note or carries symbolic weight (e.g., prefiguring the Gentile mission via Decapolis).
- Theological theme: The gathering of Israel and the nations to the Messiah; the kingdom of heaven breaking down old barriers.
- Best use: A transitional summary that highlights the scope of Jesus’ early ministry and sets the stage for the Sermon on the Mount.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
The large crowds that followed Him came from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
KJV King James Version 1769
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And there followed him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judæa and from beyond the Jordan.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And there followed him many multitudes from Galilee, and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And great crowds followed him from Galilee, and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judaea, and beyond the Jordan.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And much people followed him from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y le siguieron muchas gentes de Galilea y de Decápolis y de Jerusalem y de Judea y de la otra parte del Jordán.
E muitas multidões da Galileia, de Decápolis, de Jerusalém, da Judeia, e dalém do Jordão o seguiam.
Une grande foule le suivit, de la Galilée, de la Décapole, de Jérusalem, de la Judée, et d’ au delà du Jourdain.
Und es folgte ihm nach viel Volks aus Galiläa, aus den Zehn- Städten, von Jerusalem, aus dem jüdischen Lande und von jenseits des Jordans.
En vele scharen volgden Hem na, van Galilea en van Dekapolis, en van Jeruzalem, en van Judea, en van over de Jordaan.
E grandi folle lo seguirono dalla Galilea e dalla Decapoli e da Gerusalemme e dalla Giudea e d’oltre il Giordano.
A szedł za nim lud wielki z Galilei, z dziesięciu miast, i z Jeruzalemu, i z Judzkiej ziemi, i zza Jordanu.
И следовало за Ним множество народа из Галилеи и Десятиградия, и Иерусалима, и Иудеи, и из-за Иордана.
當下，有許多 人 從 加利利、 低加坡里、 耶路撒冷、 猶太、 約旦河 外 來跟著 他。
And there went after him great numbers from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judaea and from the other side of Jordan.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 4:25
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse summarizes the astonishing reach of Jesus’ early ministry. Adam Clarke notes that Jewish tradition itself saw vast gatherings as a sign of the Messiah’s coming, citing Amos 8:11. Barnes explains that Decapolis (meaning “ten cities”) was inhabited mainly by Greeks, not Jews, so their presence hints that Jesus’ mission already extended beyond ethnic Israel. Gill observes that the Greek word for “multitude” (ochlos) was used in rabbinic literature for a crowd of at least 600,000, though he cautions against taking that number literally. Lange and JFB treat the list as a deliberate summary: Jesus’ fame had “upheaved” all of Palestine and the surrounding regions. The verse functions as a bridge, leading directly into the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1). All sources underline the geographical diversity as evidence that Jesus was drawing people from every part of the land, and beyond.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Jesus drew massive, geographically diverse crowds during his early Galilean ministry, showing his fame had spread throughout the entire region and beyond.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Historical accuracy of the list | The regions listed (Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, beyond Jordan) reflect known first-century geography and match the spread of Jesus’ reputation. | Some commentators treat the list as a simple historical record; others see a deliberate theological geography (e.g., Decapolis representing the Gentile world). |
| Meaning of 'great multitudes' | The phrase indicates very large numbers of people, clearly more than a handful. | Gill cites a rabbinic tradition that 'multitude' means at least 600,000, but other scholars treat the number as realistically large but unspecified. |
| Significance of Decapolis | Decapolis was a region of ten cities, mostly east of Jordan, with a predominantly Greek (Gentile) population. | Some argue this proves Jesus already attracted Gentiles during his Galilean ministry; others note that the crowds may still have been mostly Jewish (many Jews lived in the Decapolis cities). |
Historical & Cultural Context
The five locations listed in Matthew 4:25 cover the entire landscape of Jesus’ world. Galilee was the northern region, about fifty miles long and twenty to twenty-five miles wide. It was densely populated, with over 200 towns and villages, and its inhabitants were a mix of Jews and Gentiles. The name “Galilee of the Gentiles” reflects this blend. Jesus had spent most of his early ministry here, teaching in synagogues and healing the sick (Matthew 4:23, 24).
Decapolis lay mostly east of the Jordan River. Pliny lists its ten cities: Damascus, Philadelphia, Raphana, Scythopolis, Gadara, Hippos, Pella, Gerasa, Canatha, and others. These cities were founded by Greek settlers after Alexander’s conquests. Jews were a minority there. That crowds came from Decapolis shows that Jesus’ fame had spread into thoroughly Gentile territory. Mark 5:20 records a healed demoniac proclaiming Jesus’ deeds in Decapolis, which likely fueled this movement.
Jerusalem and Judea represent the religious and political heart of Jewish life. Jerusalem was the site of the Temple, the center of worship. People from there walking miles to hear a Galilean teacher shows the depth of curiosity, and hope, that Jesus stirred.
“Beyond the Jordan” refers to Perea, the region east of the river. This area was also Jewish, part of the traditional lands of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh. Jewish writers often spoke of the land of Israel as comprising three regions: Galilee, Judea, and beyond Jordan (Gill mentions this tradition). By including all three, Matthew signals that Jesus is drawing the whole covenant people.
Together, these locations form a deliberate map: from the mixed Jewish-Galilean north, to the pagan Decapolis, to the holy city, to the Judean heartland, to the eastern frontier. The verse declares that no boundary, ethnic, religious, or geographic, limits the reach of Jesus’ call.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Matthew 4:25. The verse is stable across manuscripts, with only minor spelling variations in the place names (e.g., Ἰουδαίας vs. Ἰουδαίας). All translations consulted agree on the list and its order.
Reception History
From the early church onward, this verse has been used to demonstrate the breadth of Jesus’ appeal. Origen and Chrysostom noted that the gathering from every region prefigured the worldwide church. John Calvin saw it as evidence that Christ was not limited to one nation but came to call all people. In the Reformation tradition, Matthew 4:25 was often cited alongside the Great Commission to argue for the missionary obligation of the church. More recently, some commentators have emphasized the Gentile presence (Decapolis) as a sign that the gospel was already crossing ethnic lines before the formal sending of the apostles. The verse continues to be a favorite for illustrating the inclusive, magnetic nature of Jesus’ ministry.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The reach of the crowd reveals Jesus’ universal appeal. People from every region, Jewish Galilee, Gentile Decapolis, religious Jerusalem, rural Judea, and distant Perea, all came. This prefigures the Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
- The diversity of the crowd foreshadows the new community of faith. In the kingdom Jesus proclaims, ethnic and cultural barriers fall away. Decapolis, a land of ten Greek cities, stands for the Gentiles who will later flood into the church.
- The response of the crowd shows what genuine hunger looks like. These people left homes, traveled long distances, and sought Jesus out. Their actions model a pursuit of Christ that goes beyond convenience.
Five-point outline
- Galilee: Where Jesus began his public work, people from his home region follow him, seeing his power firsthand.
- Decapolis: A Gentile region, Jesus’ fame has crossed cultural boundaries, fulfilling prophecy that the nations would come to the light.
- Jerusalem: The seat of religious authority, even those closest to the Temple sense that something greater is here.
- Judea: The southern Jewish heartland, the message spreads beyond the initial Galilean circle.
- Beyond the Jordan: The eastern frontier, no geographic barrier stops the movement toward Jesus.
Illustration hooks
- Think of an event that draws people from every part of a region, a state fair, a political rally, a disaster relief operation. The difference here is that people are drawn not by spectacle but by healing and hope.
- A local church that sees visitors from many neighborhoods, different backgrounds, even other faiths, wondering what draws them. That variety mirrors the Decapolis of our day.
- The mental image of a map with pinpoints spreading outward, Galilee, then Decapolis, then Jerusalem, then beyond, shows that Jesus’ influence grows organically, word by word, touch by touch.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If Jesus was so popular, why did opposition grow so quickly? (The crowds in this verse include curiosity-seekers and critics; not all who follow will stay.)
- What did the people in Decapolis know about Jesus? They were mainly pagans, how did his name reach them? (Mark 5:20 gives one answer: a healed man spread the news.)
- Is there any significance to the order of the regions listed? (Commentators note that the list moves from the nearest (Galilee) outward, but the inclusion of Jerusalem in the middle breaks the geography, perhaps to highlight its importance.)
Leading a Discussion
This verse is a snapshot of Jesus’ early fame. The list of places is not random, it covers every part of the Holy Land and even Gentile territory. As you work through the questions, think about what drew such a diverse crowd and what that says about Jesus’ mission.
Discussion questions
- Look at the list of regions in verse 25. What stands out to you about the variety of places mentioned?
- Why would people from Jerusalem (a city with the Temple and many religious teachers) travel to hear a Galilean rabbi?
- Decapolis was a Greek region. What does its inclusion suggest about Jesus’ intended audience?
- Matthew 4:23, 24 says Jesus was teaching, preaching, and healing. Which of these activities do you think most motivated the crowds to come? Why?
- The same Greek word for “follow” (akoloutheō) is used in verse 22 of the disciples leaving their nets. Here it describes the crowds. What difference does it make whether we “follow” as a disciple or as a curious onlooker?
- How does the geography of this verse connect to Jesus’ command to go to “all nations” (Matthew 28:19)?
- In what ways do we see people today drawn to Jesus from surprising or unlikely backgrounds?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 5:1 | Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. |
| Matthew 8:1 | When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. |
| Matthew 12:15 | Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all, |
| Matthew 19:2 | Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there. |
| Mark 3:7 | Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples; and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea, |
| Mark 3:8 | from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came to him. |
| Mark 5:20 | He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marveled. |
| Mark 6:2 | When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke connects the vast crowds to a Jewish expectation from Amos: the Messiah would bring a famine of God's word, yet he himself would dispense the bread of life, drawing multitudes from every region. He also clarifies that Decapolis, named for its ten cities, lay on both sides of the Jordan.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes explains that Decapolis was a region of ten Greek cities east of the Jordan, inhabited mainly by foreigners rather than Jews. This clarifies why the Gergesenes kept swine, an animal forbidden under Jewish law, since their region's population was not bound by that restriction.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Decapolis ] Lit. a group of ten cities . The cities included in this group are variously named by different authors, they lay to the E. and S. of the Sea of Galilee; by some Damascus is mentioned as belonging to the group. d
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And there folowed him great multitudes out of Galile, and Decapolis, and Hierusalem, and Iudea, and from beyond Iordan.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes the Jewish tradition that any multitude numbers at least sixty thousand, but he clarifies that the crowds following Jesus, while large, never reached that count. He emphasizes the diverse regions the people came from and observes that the land beyond Jordan was considered less holy than the land of Canaan.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the list of regions shows not just a vast crowd but a deliberately varied one. The point is the mixed background of the hearers who would receive the Sermon on the Mount, and that Jesus carefully prepared for this pivotal first preaching circuit.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that Jesus deliberately used the synagogue system as a divinely prepared platform for His ministry, appearing as a traveling Rabbi without formal scholastic training, thereby asserting the ancient prophetic right and title. This approach was both an act of legal obedience and missionary foresight, as the synagogue was meant to transition from Old Testament worship to the New.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that the gospel is the charter of the kingdom of heaven, containing both the King's promises to pardon and save and the subjects' oath of allegiance. He notes that Christ deliberately preached in synagogues because they were already places of worship where people were prepared to receive the kingdom's announcement.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley identifies the Decapolis as a specific region east of the Sea of Galilee, notable for having ten cities clustered close together. His comment gives a straightforward geographical marker for understanding where certain events take place.