And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus's ministry wasn't just about grand pronouncements; he was personally present in every town, meticulously addressing both spiritual and physical needs. The text emphasizes that he healed "every sickness and every disease," suggesting a comprehensive restoration that encompassed all types of ailments and not just a select few. This thoroughness reveals the immense scope of his compassionate work before he sends out others.
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse marks the beginning of a new section where Jesus embarks on a circuit through Galilee, actively teaching, proclaiming the kingdom of God, and healing people. It serves as the immediate lead-up to Jesus seeing the crowds and feeling compassion for them, which directly prompts him to instruct his disciples to pray for more workers to reach the abundant spiritual harvest.
Have you ever noticed how Jesus' work is described with such packed sentences? Matthew 9:35 gives us a snapshot of His entire ministry in just one verse.
This verse isn't just a travel log; it's a mission statement. Jesus' work had three core components:
1. Teaching in Synagogues
This shows Jesus engaging with the religious structures of His day, sharing wisdom and truth within established communities. He wasn't tearing down, but fulfilling and illuminating.
2. Proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom
This was the central message – the good news that God's reign was breaking into the world through Him. It was a message of hope, restoration, and a call to a new way of life.
3. Healing Every Disease and Affliction
This demonstrates the tangible power of the Kingdom. Jesus' healing wasn't just about physical well-being; it was a sign of His authority to overcome suffering and death, offering wholeness to body and soul.
When the Bible says Jesus healed 'every disease and every affliction,' what does that truly mean for us today?
This phrase, 'every disease and every affliction,' points to the boundless nature of Jesus' compassion and power.
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Understand the original words
didaskō · Greek Verb
The public proclamation of a religious or moral message, especially the authoritative instruction given by Jesus about God’s will and the nature of His kingdom.
euangelion · Greek Noun
The 'Good News' regarding the arrival of God's sovereign rule through the person and work of Jesus Christ; it encompasses both the promise of salvation and the inaugurated reign of God.
basileia · Greek Noun
The sovereign rule and reign of God, which is both a present reality in the ministry of Jesus and a future hope of God's complete victory over sin, death, and the enemy.
malakia · Greek Noun
Any form of physical, mental, or spiritual weakness or infirmity. In Jesus' ministry, these serve as signs of the fall and are countered by His healing power as evidence of the kingdom of God.
This verse captures Jesus' widespread ministry across Galilee, emphasizing His dual focus on spiritual instruction (teaching and proclaiming the kingdom) and physical relief (healing). It sets the stage for His commissioning of the apostles, highlighting the urgent need for laborers to share the 'good news' and continue His work in a world ripe for the kingdom.
c. 5 BC - AD 30/33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus conducted His public ministry primarily in the region of Galilee, traveling through its numerous cities and villages. This period saw Him teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the good news of God's kingdom, and performing numerous healings.
1st century AD
Jewish Synagogue System Flourishes
Synagogues served as vital centers for Jewish religious and community life across Judea and the Diaspora. Jesus' teaching in these local gathering places demonstrates His engagement with existing Jewish structures and His desire to reach the people where they were.
1st century AD
Roman Rule in Galilee
Galilee was under Roman political authority, though with a degree of local governance. Jesus' ministry occurred within this context of Roman occupation, influencing the socio-political backdrop of His teachings and miracles.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus Calls the Twelve Apostles
Following His extensive circuits through Galilee, Jesus specifically chose and commissioned His twelve closest disciples. This event, detailed in the following verses (Matthew 9:36-38 and Matthew 10), marks a crucial step in expanding His mission.
This verse is almost identical to Matthew 4:23, showing a pattern in Jesus' ministry of teaching, proclaiming the kingdom, and healing as He traveled.
Isaiah 61:1-2This prophecy describes the Spirit of the Lord coming upon the Messiah to 'preach good news to the afflicted,' 'bind up the brokenhearted,' and 'proclaim liberty to the captives,' which Jesus' actions in Matthew 9:35 directly fulfill.
Matthew 10:5-8Immediately following this description of Jesus' ministry, He commissions His disciples, empowering them to do the same work of proclaiming the kingdom and healing, highlighting the continuation of His mission through others.
Luke 4:43-44This passage from Luke describes Jesus' reasoning for going to 'the other towns' to preach the gospel of the kingdom, showing that this circuit was a deliberate and purposeful part of His mission.
barnesMatthew 9:35: "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."
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages ... - That is, in all parts of Galilee, for his labors were, as yet, confined to that part of Palestine. Compare the notes at Matthew 4:24-25 .
pulpitMatthew 9:35: "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."
Verse 35. - Parallel passages: Mark 6:6 (Luke 13:22). And Jesus went about all the cities and (the, Revised Version) villages. The Revised Version rightly restricts the "all" to the cities (τὰς πόλεις πάσας καὶ τὰς κώμας). It would have been impossible to visit all the villages. A village was disti…
Jesus's ministry wasn't just about grand pronouncements; he was personally present in every town, meticulously addressing both spiritual and physical needs. The text emphasizes that he healed "every sickness and every disease," suggesting a comprehensive restoration that encompassed all types of ailments and not just a select few. This thoroughness reveals the immense scope of his compassionate work before he sends out others.
This verse marks the beginning of a new section where Jesus embarks on a circuit through Galilee, actively teaching, proclaiming the kingdom of God, and healing people. It serves as the immediate lead-up to Jesus seeing the crowds and feeling compassion for them, which directly prompts him to instruct his disciples to pray for more workers to reach the abundant spiritual harvest.
This verse marks the beginning of a new section where Jesus embarks on a circuit through Galilee, actively teaching, proclaiming the kingdom of God, and healing people. It serves as the immediate lead-up to Jesus seeing the crowds and feeling compassion for them, which directly prompts him to instruct his disciples to pray for more workers to reach the abundant spiritual harvest.
"And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction." — Jesus's ministry wasn't just about grand pronouncements; he was personally present in every town, meticulously addressing both spiritual and physical needs. The text emphasizes that he healed "every…
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Last reviewed October 2026