# General Information:

This is the beginning of a new part of the story where Matthew tells of how Jesus responded to disciples of John the Baptist. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent]])

# It came about that when

This phrase shifts the story from Jesus's teachings to what happened next. Alternate translation: "Then when" or "After"

# had finished instructing

"had finished teaching" or "had finished commanding."

# his twelve disciples

This refers to the twelve chosen apostles of Jesus. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-numbers]])

# in their cities

Here "their" refers to all the Jews in general.