Theme: Calling for repentance for a Reign that is coming

Exegetical note
Matthew's rendition of the beginning of Jesus' ministry agrees with the other Synoptic Gospels in identifying Galilee as the point of departure. But his distinctive connection with "the Galilee of the Gentiles" of Isaiah 9:1-2 is probably intended to underscore the universality of Jesus' mission, of which Matthew here offers a compendium: preaching the nearness of the coming Reign of God ("heaven" is a circumlocution), calling upon all to repent and some to follow, and healing…