Andrew, born at Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee to Jonah and his wife, grew up in a region influenced by major trade routes, suggesting exposure to Greek language and culture alongside his Jewish roots. Likely fluent in Aramaic and possibly Greek, with some knowledge of Latin, he spent his early years as a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee before moving to Capernaum. Upon hearing the message of John the Baptist, Andrew traveled to Bethany beyond the Jordan River, where he first encountered Jesus' teachings and, thrilled to have found the Messiah, eagerly brought his brother Peter to meet Him. Presumably, he accompanied Jesus on a return journey to Galilee, attending events such as the wedding in Cana and staying in Capernaum. After John the Baptist's imprisonment by Herod, Andrew returned to Galilee, briefly resuming his work as a fisherman until Jesus called him and Peter again to become fishers of men.

Galilee plays a significant role in the narrative of Christ's ministry and the responses of people to His presence. During His first visit, Christ began His ministry from Galilee, as foretold by Isaiah 9:1-2, shining as a light in the darkness in the inheritances of Naphtali and Zebulun, in Galilee of the Gentiles. Many Galileans, however, knew Him as the carpenter's son, familiar with His mother and family, and questioned how He could be the Messiah. This familiarity led to skepticism among them, mirroring the doubts of others who later heard of Him in Jerusalem. Additionally, the Jingoists argued that no prophet arose from Galilee, ignoring Isaiah's prophecy about Christ's Galilean ministry. Sometime after His birth in Bethlehem, Joseph returned to Nazareth in Galilee, where he and Mary reared Jesus, setting the stage for His ministry to begin in that region, not Judah. Historically, less than forty years after Christ's death, the Romans burned and pillaged Galilee and Judea, bringing immense suffering to those who had rejected Him, underscoring the consequences of failing to recognize the Messiah during His first witness.

In the four gospels, which lay the foundation for many aspects of Christianity, the region of Galilee emerges as a significant backdrop to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Throughout His teachings and actions, Galilee serves as a setting where many events unfold, reflecting both the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the misunderstandings of those around Him. The gospel writers, particularly Matthew, highlight how Jesus' life in Galilee aligns with prophetic predictions, demonstrating the unfolding of God's plan in this region. Despite this, the people of the time, burdened by traditional yet incorrect views, often failed to recognize the significance of these events occurring in Galilee and beyond.