Matthew 4:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned."

NIV: the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

NASB: THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.'

CSB: The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

NLT: the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.'

KJV: The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

NKJV: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”

Matthew is quoting from Isaiah 9:1–2 to show that Jesus' move to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee was another fulfillment of prophecy about the Messiah. Capernaum and the region around it fell within the ancient boundaries of the Jewish tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali.

The people of that land were described as dwelling in darkness under the shadow of death during Isaiah's time. This was likely true for several reasons. First, their land was much closer to Gentile peoples and thus more vulnerable to attack. Second, the people living there were far away from the cultural and religious centers of Jerusalem and Judea. They had to travel some distance to reach the temple and the dwelling place of God.

Isaiah's prophecy, though, while writing about the coming of the Messiah, was that a light would dawn in their region. Matthew shows that Jesus is that light. He shines brightly in the land of darkness known then as "Galilee of the Gentiles." Instead of coming first to the "well lit" region of Judea, Christ comes first to the people living in darkness.

Isaiah 9 is often read around Christmas time. Though the prophecy was about the peoples of Zebulun and Naphtali, it is also true that the birth of Jesus brought light into a world of darkness. A few verses later, Isaiah 9:6 famously says of the Messiah, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Matthew 4:12–17 shows Jesus' travel and ministry in Capernaum, on the Sea of Galilee. This fulfills another ancient prophecy about the Messiah, found in Isaiah 9:1–2. Scriptures promised a great light would dawn in the region once occupied by the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, near the Sea of Galilee. Once thought of as ''dark'' because of its nearness to the Gentile nations and distance from Jerusalem, Galilee is the region in which the light of the Messiah will first shine brightly.

Matthew 3 ended with the Holy Spirit coming to rest on Jesus following His baptism. Now the Spirit leads Him into the wilderness to endure tempting by the devil after 40 days of fasting. Jesus demonstrates His sinlessness by resisting all temptations. He begins His ministry in the region of Galilee, settling in Capernaum and calling some disciples to follow Him. Jesus' work in Galilee includes traveling from place to place, proclaiming the good news that the kingdom of heaven is near and healing every kind of affliction. He soon becomes famous, drawing huge crowds from great distances.

Matthew 3 ends with a great affirmation from the voice of God the Father: Jesus is His Son. Immediately after that, God's Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness for a time of temptation by the devil. Jesus passes that test and then begins His ministry in the region of Galilee. Jesus begins to call His disciples and travel around the region. He teaches in the synagogues and heals people with every kind of affliction. Jesus' fame grows quickly. This provides Him a large audience for the Sermon on the Mount, which Matthew begins to record in chapter 5.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.