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Mat_19:1 f. With his usual formula, κ . ἐγέν . ὅτε ἐτέλ ., κ . τ . λ . (Mat_7:28, Mat_11:1, Mat_13:53), Matthew here introduces the account of the closing stage in Christ’s ministry by mentioning His departure from Galilee to Judaea. It does not follow (comp. note on Mat_16:21) that there may not have been previous visits to Judaea (in answer to Baur), but, in order to give to this journey, above all, the prominence due to its high significance, it was necessary that the Synoptists should confine their view to the Galilaean ministry until the time came for this final visit to the capital.
The conversation concerning divorce and marriage is likewise given in Mar_10:1 ff., and, on the whole, in a more original shape.
μετῆρεν ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλ .] Comp. Mat_17:22; Mat_17:24.
πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου ] This expression cannot be intended to define the locale of εἰς τὰ ὄρια τῆς Ἰουδαίος , for the reader knew, as matter of course, that Peraea and Judaea (Mat_4:15; Mat_4:25) meant different districts, although, according to Ptolem. v. 16. 9, several towns east of the Jordan might be reckoned as included in Judaea; neither can it belong to μετῆρεν ἀπὸ τ . Γαλ . (Fritzsche: “Movens a Galilaea transiit fluvium”), for κ . ἦλθεν εἰς τ . ὄρ . τ . Ἰουδ . is not of the nature of a parenthesis; rather is it to be regarded as indicating the route (Mar_10:1) which Jesus took, thus defining ἦλθεν (Mar_7:31) somewhat more precisely, lest it should be supposed that He was on this side Jordan, and therefore approached Judaea by going through Samaria, whereas, being on the farther side of the river, He went by Peraea, and reached the borders of Judaea by crossing over to the west side of the Jordan (somewhere in the neighbourhood of Jericho, Mat_20:29). The expression is not awkward (Volkmar); nor, again, is it to be erroneously understood as showing that the Gospel was written in some district east of the Jordan.
Further, the narrative of Matthew and Mark cannot be reconciled with that of Luke, who represents Jesus as keeping to this side of the Jordan (Luk_9:51, and see note on Luk_17:11); nor with the account of John, who, Joh_10:22, says nothing about the journey to Jerusalem, but represents Jesus as already there, and in Joh_19:40 as setting out from that city to make a short sojourn in Peraea.
ἐκεῖ ] that is, in Peraea, just mentioned, and through which He was travelling on His way to the borders of Judaea, Mat_19:1. On αὐτούς (their sick), see Winer, p. 139 [E. T. 183]. Instead of the healing, Mark speaks of the teaching that took place on this occasion.