Matthew 4:14

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

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 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison , he departed into Galilee;

13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

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

15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

16 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 .