Matthew 19:1-2

Matthew 19:1-2

[1] And  it came to pass,  that when  Jesus  had finished  sayings,  he departed  from  Galilee,  and  came  into  the coasts  of Judaea  beyond  Jordan;  [2] And  great  multitudes  followed  him;  and  he healed  them  there. 

What does Matthew 19:1-2 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Matthew marked the end of Jesus" discourse on humility (ch18) and reported Jesus" departure from Galilee for Judea. This is the first time in Matthew"s Gospel that Jesus moved into Judea for ministry. Until now all of Jesus" public ministry following His baptism and temptation was in Galilee and its surrounding Gentile areas. Now Jesus began to move toward Judea, Jerusalem, and the Cross.
Evidently Jesus departed from Capernaum and journeyed through Samaria, or perhaps around Samaria, [1] and into Judea to Jerusalem. Then He proceeded east across the Jordan River into Perea northeast of the Dead Sea. From there He went to Jerusalem again. Leaving Jerusalem Jesus visited Ephraim, traveled farther north into Samaria, headed east into Perea, and returned to Jerusalem. The following ministry took place during this last loop in Perea and Judea. [2] Great multitudes continued to follow Him, and He continued to heal many people. Jesus did not abandon His ministry to the masses even though the nation had rejected Him as her Messiah (cf. Matthew 22:39).
"Even as He journeys to Jerusalem to suffer and die, He manifests His royal benevolence in healing those who come to Him." [3]
These verses conclude a major section of Matthew"s Gospel ( Matthew 13:54 to Matthew 19:2). This section has highlighted Jesus" reaction to Israel"s rejection of Him. Jesus continued to experience opposition from the ordinary Israelites, from the Roman leadership of the area, and from the religious leaders within Israel. His reaction was to withdraw and to concentrate on preparing His disciples for what lay ahead of them in view of His rejection. However, He also continued to minister to the needs of the masses, primarily the Jews, because He had compassion on them.