In the excitement which then pervaded Capernaum, there was danger that the object of His mission would be lost sight of. Jesus was not satisfied to attract attention to Himself merely as a wonder worker or a healer of physical diseases. He was seeking to draw men to Him as their Saviour. While the people were eager to believe that He had come as a king, to establish an earthly reign, He desired to turn their minds away from the earthly to the spiritual. Mere worldly success would interfere with His work.

I den begejstringsrus, som på dette tidspunkt herskede i Kapernaum, var der fare for, at man kunne miste formålet med hans udsendelse af syne. Det var ikke nok for Jesus kun at henlede opmærksomheden på sig selv, blot fordi han gjorde undere, eller fordi han helbredte legemlige sygdomme. Han ville drage mennesker til sig som deres frelser. Mens folket var ivrigt efter at tro, at han var kommet som en konge for at oprette et jordisk rige, ønskede han at vende deres sind fra det jordiske til det åndelige. Udelukkende verdslig medgang kunne blive til hindring for hans gerning.