Almost all translations begin a new paragraph with this verse, as does the UBS Greek text. However, because of the absence of section headings in many translations, it is often difficult to determine whether this verse is understood as the conclusion to the previous section or as the beginning of a new section. New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, and Good News Translation clearly consider it the conclusion to the previous section, and this decision finds support among the commentators.
But others see here the beginning of a new section in the Gospel; one commentator, for example, states that “it marks the beginning of a new stage in his narrative, the public preaching of Jesus.” In still another commentary this is designated a new section in the Gospel (“The Master and His Work,” 4.17–9.34), which is then subdivided into two parts: (1) The Teaching of the Lord (4.17–7.27), and (2) The Healing Deeds of the Lord (8.1–9.34). Yet another scholar, who would begin a new section here, brings it to a conclusion at 11.30. He entitles the entire section: “The Messiah, His Message, Ministry, and Disciples.” Within this larger unit he believes that 4.17-25 functions as a prologue, while the other divisions are Message (5.1–7.29), Ministry (8.1–9.38), and Disciples (10.1–11.30).
Obviously no final decision is possible; all of these alternatives have scholarly support, and one must make a choice. Unless one feels strongly convinced to the contrary, it may be wise to follow the decision represented by the UBS Greek text.
From that time translates a Greek phrase which appears also in 16.21 and 26.16. The phrase does not mean from the time of Isaiah’s words, but from the time Jesus began his work in Galilee (verse 12). Some translations say “From the time Jesus went there” or “From the time Jesus began to preach there, he was saying.”
In the Greek sentence structure the name Jesus is in focus. It was John the Baptist who had been preaching. Now that Jesus had been baptized and tested, John had been arrested, and Jesus had located himself in the place he wanted to work, it is he who took up preaching. Translators can indicate this emphasis with a phrase such as “From that time, it was Jesus who began to preach” or “From that time, Jesus himself started preaching.”
Began to preach, saying is represented in Good News Translation by “began to preach his message.” Preach is the same verb used to describe the activity of John the Baptist (3.1). Elsewhere in the Gospel of Matthew it appears in 4.23; 9.35; 10.7, 27; 11.1; 24.14; and 26.13. Preach can be “proclaimed (or, announced) this message.” See comments on 3.1.
The message of Jesus in this verse is word for word the same as that of John the Baptist (3.1). Translators should therefore refer to the comments on 3.1 and 3.2 for discussions of Repent and the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .