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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_4:24-25
24The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. 25Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.
Mat_4:24 "The news about Him spread throughout all Syria" Syria was a Roman province which included northern Palestine. However, in this context it may refer to the whole area, which showed the wide-spread popularity of this healer from Nazareth.
▣ "all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics" In the Gospels, distinctions are made between physical sickness and demon possession. Although demonic forces might cause physical symptoms, the cure for each is different. Jesus healed all those who were brought to Him (see Special Topic at Mat_19:2). We know from other accounts that healing was sometimes based on the faith of the individual, or the faith of the sick individual's friends; and sometimes it came without much faith at all. Physical healing did not always mean or imply spiritual salvation (cf. John 9).
▣ "demons" See Special Topic at Mat_10:1.
▣ "epileptics" See note at Mat_17:15.
Mat_4:25 "Large crowds followed Him" Mat_4:25 is a graphic description of the extent of Jesus' popularity (cf. Mar_3:7-8; Luk_6:17). This popularity caused the Jewish leaders to be jealous and the crowds to misunderstand His mission.
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