Matthew 4:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

NIV: to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

NASB: This happened so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled:

CSB: This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

NLT: This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

KJV: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

NKJV: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

From the very beginning of his telling of the story of Jesus, Matthew has emphasized how circumstances of Jesus' life fulfill prophecies from Jewish Scriptures about the Messiah. He is intent on ensuring both Jews and Gentiles understand that Jesus was not simply a charismatic character. He did not merely attract a large following with the claim He was the Messiah. Matthew wants to establish that in every way, the claim that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Christ, is verified by the fulfilment of ancient prophecies.

Now Matthew points to another proof. This is a prophecy from Isaiah 9 about the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. Jesus' move to the town of Capernaum, which lies in that region established during the time of Joshua, fulfills a very specific promise to those people from God.

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.

Accessed 5/7/2024 5:08:20 PM