Matthew 4:14

14 In that way, what the prophet Isaiah had said came true. He had said,

Matthew 4:14 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 14, 15. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken
Christ's dwelling in Capernaum accomplished a prophecy of the prophet ( Isaiah 9:1 Isaiah 9:2 ) and he went and dwelt there, that it might be fulfilled which he had spoken: the meaning of which prophecy is ^F24, that as those parts of the land of Israel, there mentioned, had suffered much by Tiglathpileser, who had carried them captive, ( 2 Kings 15:29 ) and is "the vexation" referred to; so they should be honoured, and made very glorious, by the presence and conversation of the Messiah among them, and which now had its literal fulfilment: for Christ now came and dwelt in Capernaum, which lay between the lands and upon the borders both of Zabulon and Nephthalim; was situated by the sea of Tiberias, beyond Jordan, and in, "Galilee of the nations"; the upper Galilee, which had in it people of other nations besides Jews. The ancient Jews expected the Messiah to make his first appearance in Galilee; which expectation must be grounded on this prophecy; for so they say ^F25 expressly,

``the king Messiah shall be revealed (lylgd aerab) , "in the land of Galilee."''

And in another place ^F26 explaining ( Isaiah 2:19 ) they paraphrase it thus,

``"for fear of the Lord"; this is the indignation of the whole world: and for the "glory of his majesty"; this is the Messiah; when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth, when he shall arise and be revealed (lylgd aerab) , "in the land of Galilee": because that this is the first place to be destroyed in the holy land; therefore he shall be revealed there the first of all places.''

Here Jesus, the true Messiah, made his first appearance publicly; here he called his disciples, and began his ministry.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 See my treatise upon the "Prophecies of the Messiah" p. 147, &c.
F25 Zohar in Gen. fol. 74. 3.
F26 Ib. in Exod. fol. 3. 3. & 88. 3.

Matthew 4:14 In-Context

12 John had been put in prison. When Jesus heard about this, he returned to Galilee.

13 Jesus left Nazareth. He went to live in the city of Capernaum. It was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali.

14 In that way, what the prophet Isaiah had said came true. He had said,

15 "Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Galilee, where non-Jewish people live! Land along the Mediterranean Sea! Territory east of the Jordan River!

16 The people who are now living in darkness will see a great light. They are now living in a very dark land. But a light will shine on them." (Isaiah 9:1,2)