EpiphanyYear A

Third Sunday after Epiphany

Sunday, January 25, 2026

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Gospel

Matthew 4:12-23

142 illustrations

LensLines™ — One Text. Seventeen Voices.

See all 54 voices →

UniversalClassic

32:1-3a, 6-15 anchors us in God’s character: He speaks, acts, and calls us to faithful response.

Arminian/WesleyanPastoral

1:2-10 whispers hope: prevenient grace is already at work, drawing you toward life—today, not someday.

PentecostalEdgy

17:5-10 exposes our control; the Spirit refuses to be managed—today, not someday.

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Simon Peter

Simon Peter Simon Peter was the most prominent of the twelve apostles. After Jesus’ death, he became the primary spokesman for the early Christians in Jerusalem and was the apostle primarily responsible for evangelizing the Jews (Gal 2:7-8).

Matthew 4:18-4:20

Follow Me: The Master's Call to Imitation and Service

The Victorian expositor understood this command as operating on five essential dimensions.

Matthew 4:19Universalfollowing Christ as Teacher and Exampleimitation of Jesus's sacrificial purpose

LensLines™

Matthew 4:1-11 — Dispensational (classic)

Matthew 4:1-11 1:2-10 calls for readiness—live faithful today because the King could come any moment—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:1-11DispensationalTemptationSpiritual Warfare

LensLines™

Matthew 4:1-11 — Progressive/Social Justice (pastoral)

Matthew 4:1-11 16:1-13 invites us to practice mercy with hands, budgets, and policies—not just feelings—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:1-11Progressive/Social JusticeTemptationSpiritual Warfare

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Matthew 4:12-23 — Liberation Theology (edgy)

Matthew 4:12-23 65 confronts comfortable religion—God sides with the exploited, not the exploiters—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:12-23Liberation TheologyCalling of DisciplesJesus' Ministry

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Matthew 4:1-11 — Progressive/Social Justice (edgy)

Matthew 4:1-11 2:6-15 is inconvenient on purpose—God interrupts comfort to liberate the oppressed—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:1-11Progressive/Social JusticeTemptationSpiritual Warfare

LensLines™

Matthew 4:12-23 — Reformed (classic)

Matthew 4:12-23 91:1-6, 14-16 teaches that redemption is God’s work from beginning to end—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:12-23ReformedCalling of DisciplesJesus' Ministry

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Matthew 4:1-11 — Liberation Theology (classic)

Matthew 4:1-11 Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16, grace is not abstract; it breaks chains and confronts unjust power.

Matthew 4:1-11Liberation TheologyTemptationSpiritual Warfare

LensLines™

Matthew 4:12-23 — Universal (edgy)

Matthew 4:12-23 18:9-14 is a mirror—if it offends, it’s doing honest work—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:12-23UniversalCalling of DisciplesJesus' Ministry

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Matthew 4:12-23 — Progressive/Social Justice (classic)

Matthew 4:12-23 1 Timothy 2:1-7, love becomes public: the kingdom confronts systems that crush the vulnerable.

Matthew 4:12-23Progressive/Social JusticeCalling of DisciplesJesus' Ministry

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Matthew 4:12-23 — Anabaptist (edgy)

Matthew 4:12-23 17:11-19 refuses a private discipleship; obedience must be visible—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:12-23AnabaptistCalling of DisciplesJesus' Ministry

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Matthew 4:12-23 — Lutheran (pastoral)

Matthew 4:12-23 137 comforts the accused conscience: the verdict in Christ is mercy, not condemnation—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:12-23LutheranCalling of DisciplesJesus' Ministry

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Matthew 4:12-23 — Traditional (pastoral)

Matthew 4:12-23 Timothy 6:6-19 comforts the faithful: God keeps His promises and strengthens His Church to endure.

Matthew 4:12-23TraditionalCalling of DisciplesJesus' Ministry

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Matthew 4:1-11 — Baptist (edgy)

Matthew 4:1-11 12:32-40 exposes cheap belief—saving faith produces obedience—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:1-11BaptistTemptationSpiritual Warfare

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Matthew 4:1-11 — Baptist (pastoral)

Matthew 4:1-11 65 invites an honest response: God meets you where you are and calls you forward.

Matthew 4:1-11BaptistTemptationSpiritual Warfare

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Matthew 4:1-11 — Universal (classic)

Matthew 4:1-11 14:25-33 shows the gospel pattern—God initiates grace, then forms a people who obey in love.

Matthew 4:1-11UniversalTemptationSpiritual Warfare

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Matthew 4:12-23 — Baptist (pastoral)

Matthew 4:12-23 Timothy 1:12-17 comforts the repentant: Christ receives those who come sincerely—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:12-23BaptistCalling of DisciplesJesus' Ministry

LensLines™

Matthew 4:12-23 — Progressive/Social Justice (edgy)

Matthew 4:12-23 1 Timothy 2:1-7 threatens your “normal,” ask who your normal has been hurting—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:12-23Progressive/Social JusticeCalling of DisciplesJesus' Ministry

LensLines™

Matthew 4:1-11 — Charismatic (pastoral)

Matthew 4:1-11 3:1-11 invites a living faith—God still speaks comfort and courage—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:1-11CharismaticTemptationSpiritual Warfare

LensLines™

Matthew 4:1-11 — Liberation Theology (edgy)

Matthew 4:1-11 Psalm 119:137-144 sounds political, remember: oppression is already political—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:1-11Liberation TheologyTemptationSpiritual Warfare

LensLines™

Matthew 4:1-11 — Black Church (edgy)

Matthew 4:1-11 16:19-31 refuses respectability—God isn’t impressed by polish, He’s moved by justice—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:1-11Black ChurchTemptationSpiritual Warfare

LensLines™

Matthew 4:1-11 — Charismatic (classic)

Matthew 4:1-11 1:4-10 expects God’s gifts today—Spirit-empowered worship, healing, and bold witness—today, not someday.

Matthew 4:1-11CharismaticTemptationSpiritual Warfare

LensLines™

Matthew 4:1-11 — Progressive/Social Justice (classic)

Matthew 4:1-11 Timothy 2:8-15 asks who benefits and who bleeds; God’s good news always has a direction—toward the marginalized.

Matthew 4:1-11Progressive/Social JusticeTemptationSpiritual Warfare

LensLines™

Matthew 4:1-11 — Roman Catholic (pastoral)

Matthew 4:1-11 32:1-3a, 6-15 invites a pilgrim’s heart: return, receive grace, and keep walking with the saints.

Matthew 4:1-11Roman CatholicTemptationSpiritual Warfare

View all 142 illustrations →

Third Sunday after Epiphany

Matthew 4:12-23

Biblical Profile: Simon Peter

Other readings this Sunday

Follow Me: The Master's Call to Imitation and Service

Matthew 4:1-11 — Dispensational (classic)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Progressive/Social Justice (pastoral)

Matthew 4:12-23 — Liberation Theology (edgy)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Progressive/Social Justice (edgy)

Matthew 4:12-23 — Reformed (classic)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Liberation Theology (classic)

Matthew 4:12-23 — Universal (edgy)

Matthew 4:12-23 — Progressive/Social Justice (classic)

Matthew 4:12-23 — Anabaptist (edgy)

Matthew 4:12-23 — Lutheran (pastoral)

Matthew 4:12-23 — Traditional (pastoral)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Baptist (edgy)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Baptist (pastoral)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Universal (classic)

Matthew 4:12-23 — Baptist (pastoral)

Matthew 4:12-23 — Progressive/Social Justice (edgy)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Charismatic (pastoral)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Liberation Theology (edgy)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Black Church (edgy)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Charismatic (classic)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Progressive/Social Justice (classic)

Matthew 4:1-11 — Roman Catholic (pastoral)