Matthew 9:26 (KJV)

What does Matthew 9:26 mean?

Matthew 9:26 means that news about what Jesus had just done spread quickly throughout the entire region. People everywhere in that area began to hear about the remarkable event that had just taken place.

In this part of Matthew, Jesus has just raised a girl from the dead in front of witnesses. The verse describes the immediate aftermath, focusing on how word of this miracle traveled far beyond the house where it happened. The emphasis is on the widespread impact and growing reputation of Jesus because of such extraordinary acts.

The Greek behind Matthew 9:26

• The word for "fame" is φήμη (phēmē), which often means "report," "news," or "reputation." Here, it highlights that what happened was not kept secret but became widely known.
• The phrase "went abroad" comes from the Greek ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen), meaning "went out" or "spread out." This shows that the news moved beyond just the immediate witnesses to reach a much larger audience.
• The word for "all that land" uses γῆ (gē) for "land," and the phrase as a whole points to the entire surrounding region, not just the town or village.

Why Matthew 9:26 matters

• Matthew 9:26 shows how Jesus' miracles were not isolated events but had a ripple effect, quickly making him known to many people who were not present.
• The verse helps explain the growing crowds and attention Jesus received in later passages, as people heard about his power and sought him out.
• It also sets the stage for the increasing interest, curiosity, and sometimes opposition that Jesus would face as his reputation spread throughout the land.