And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
MATTHEW 9:35KJVWhat does Matthew 9:35 mean?
Matthew 9:35 describes Jesus traveling through all the cities and villages, teaching in the synagogues, announcing the good news about God's kingdom, and healing every kind of sickness and disease among the people. This verse highlights the broad scope of Jesus’ ministry, showing that he reached out to many communities with both his message and his compassion.
In this part of Matthew’s account, Jesus is actively moving from place to place, not staying in one location. The verse points out that he is teaching in Jewish synagogues, which were community gathering places, and that his message is about the "kingdom"—a central theme in his teaching. Along with his words, Jesus is also caring for physical needs by healing all sorts of illnesses, showing a concern for both spiritual and physical well-being.
The Greek behind Matthew 9:35
- εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) — "gospel" or "good news": This word means a joyful announcement, often used in the ancient world for important proclamations. Here, it refers to the message about God's kingdom, which was central to Jesus’ teaching.
- βασιλεία (basileia) — "kingdom": This term often means a realm or reign. In Jesus’ context, it points to God’s rule being established in a new way among people, not just a physical territory.
- θεραπεύων (therapeuōn) — "healing": This word means to care for or restore to health. The Greek emphasizes that Jesus was actively and repeatedly healing, not just performing a few isolated miracles.
- πάσαν νόσον (pasan noson) and πάσαν μαλακίαν (pasan malakian) — "every sickness" and "every disease": The use of "every" (πᾶσαν, pasan) stresses that no illness or condition was beyond Jesus’ concern or ability to heal.
Why Matthew 9:35 matters
- Matthew 9:35 clears up the idea that Jesus’ ministry was limited to a select group or location; instead, it shows he reached out to all communities, both large cities and small villages.
- The verse emphasizes that Jesus’ message and actions went hand in hand—he taught about God’s kingdom and also met practical needs through healing, showing a holistic approach to ministry.
- This summary verse sets the stage for what follows in Matthew, where Jesus sends out his disciples to do similar work, highlighting the importance of both proclamation and compassion in his mission.