A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 4:16

"The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up." — Matthew 4:16 (ASV)

Saw a great light (φως ειδεν μεγα). Matthew quotes Isa 9:1f. , and applies the words about the deliverer from Assyria to the Messiah. "The same district lay in spiritual darkness and death and the new era dawned when Christ went thither" (McNeile). Light sprang up from those who were sitting in the region and shadow of death (εν χορα κα σκια θανατου). Death is personified.