Jesus Goes to Galilee

Next the Bible says something very interesting, that Jesus desired to go to Galilee, a region far in the north. It would have been expected by many that the Messiah would begin speaking and performing miracles in Jerusalem, the holy city, the location of the Temple and the most holy Jews. But the prophets of ancient Israel were very specific about where the Messiah would begin ministering.

"The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee" - John 1:43

The prophet Isaiah made it very clear that the light of the Messiah would first dawn in the Galilee region, which was the allotted territory of two of the tribes of Israel, Zebulun and Naphtali.

"The people (of the land of Zebulun and Naphtali) that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." - Isaiah 9:2

Historical Note

Going back into ancient history when David was the first king of Israel, he had a son named Solomon who built the First Temple in Jerusalem. When Solomon died his sons fought for ttohe throne. There was a civil war in the land of Israel and 10 tribes followed Jeroboam to the north calling themselves Israel. The remaining two tribes stayed in the south with Rehoboam, Solomon's chosen, and they called themselves Judah. Every King in the northern kingdom of Israel was evil and worshiped idols. The Lord's patience finally came to an end in 722 BC, and he empowered the Assyrians to come and conquer the northern 10 tribes. When the Assyrians arrived they spared no one, and savagely plundered every city in the territory, especially the areas of Zebulun and Naphtali, which was the region of Galilee. At this time the prophet Isaiah spoke an amazing prophecy about the Messiah coming to Galilee:

"The people of the land of Zebulun and Naphtali that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." - Isaiah 9:2
 

Map of the Area Around the Sea of Galilee

Galilee in the Time of Jesus

During the time of Jesus there were three main regions mentioned in the New Testament: Judea in the south, Samaria in the middle and Galilee in the north.
 

The Geography of Galilee During New Testament Times.

In Galilee there was upper Galilee and lower Galilee. Upper Galilee had many mountain ranges averaging around 4,000 feet. Lower Galilee had smaller hills of 1,000 feet. The very fertile Plain of Esdralon and Valley of Megiddo was in Lower Galilee. The main cities in Galilee mentioned in the Bible were Nazareth, Cana, Capernaum, and far to the north was Caesarea Philippi.

 
Jesus Begins His Work, Behold the Lamb of God, Jesus Calls His First Disciples, Jesus Calls Simon Peter, Jesus Goes to Galilee, Jesus Calls Philip and Nathaniel, A Group of Fishermen, The Wedding in Cana, Capernaum