4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in {d} Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
(d) Which was a town a great deal more famous than Nazareth was.
4:13 Leaving Nazareth. Because rejected there (Lu 4:16-30).
Dwelt in Capernaum. At that time a city of 30,000 inhabitants on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was one of the chief cities of Galilee, had a synagogue, a Roman garrison, and a customs station, with Matthew as the tax gatherer. It has long since disappeared. It was called Christ's own city because he made it an earthly home. It was on the border between the tribes of Zebulon and Naphtali.
4:13 Leaving Nazareth - Namely, when they had wholly rejected his word, and even attempted to kill him, Luke 4:29.
4:12-17 It is just with God to take the gospel and the means of grace, from those that slight them and thrust them away. Christ will not stay long where he is not welcome. Those who are without Christ, are in the dark. They were sitting in this condition, a contented posture; they chose it rather than light; they were willingly ignorant. When the gospel comes, light comes; when it comes to any place, when it comes to any soul, it makes day there. Light discovers and directs; so does the gospel. The doctrine of repentance is right gospel doctrine. Not only the austere John Baptist, but the gracious Jesus, preached repentance. There is still the same reason to do so. The kingdom of heaven was not reckoned to be fully come, till the pouring out of the Holy Spirit after Christ's ascension.
