1Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined (Isaiah 9:1-2).
13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:13-17).
The Gospel of Matthew was written originally to primarily a Jewish audience. The audience would have been familiar with the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah was looking forward to a time when there would be great revival. The people were to see a great light. We now know that that great light is Christ. This prophecy from Isaiah may also be a prophecy that the Gospel was to be spread to Gentiles. If this is so, many of us are beneficiaries of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. We have seen a great light.
13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:13-17).
The Gospel of Matthew was written originally to primarily a Jewish audience. The audience would have been familiar with the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah was looking forward to a time when there would be great revival. The people were to see a great light. We now know that that great light is Christ. This prophecy from Isaiah may also be a prophecy that the Gospel was to be spread to Gentiles. If this is so, many of us are beneficiaries of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. We have seen a great light.
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