Why did Jesus go to Galilee?

Answer 1

It is only in Matthew's Gospel (26:32) and Mark's Gospel (14:28) that Jesus tells the disciples that he will see them in Galilee. Again in Matthew's Gospel (28:10) the risen Jesus tells the women to tell the disciples that he will see them in Galilee. In Mark's Gospel (16:7), the young man inside the tomb repeats the message that Jesus had previously given the disciples, to meet him in Galilee.

In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus really did meet the disciples in a mountain in Galilee, just as he had told them he would. This is the one gospel that properly links Jesus' instruction to what happens later.

Mark's Gospel originally ended at verse 16:8, with the young man telling the women that Jesus was risen and they fled in terror, telling no one. This allows us to assume that Jesus might well have met the disciples there, even if the Gospel does not say so. However, the 'Long Ending' (verses 16:9-20) was subsequently added, and this removes any possibility of Jesus planning to meet the disciples in Galilee, since it portrays him as meeting them at a meal in Jerusalem, where he gave them a parting message.

It would not have made sense in Luke's Gospel for Jesus to say that he would meet the disciples in Galilee because, after his resurrection, he met them in Jerusalem and was then taken bodily up into heaven on the very evening of his resurrection.

Again, in John's Gospel it would have made little sense for Jesus to say that he would meet the disciples in Galilee because he met them twice in Jerusalem, although he later did meet them in Galilee.

Answer 2

Because He was healing people. That is what He said, they followed Him because of His miracles.

Answer 3

Jesus went to Galilee after the resurrection because it was his native country. He also wanted to show himself opening to his disciples.