Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 4:15-16

"The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 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 4:15-16 (ASV)

This citation is remarkable, as it is the only reference in the New Testament to what seems to us the most wonderful and majestic of all Messianic prophecies. It is even more remarkable because it focuses not on the words so familiar to us—“Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…”—but on the local imagery that serves as a prelude to that great prophecy. Furthermore, Matthew presents it in a version that is neither a true rendering of the Hebrew nor an exact citation from the received Greek version.

We must recognize that the Evangelist did not study prophecy as we do. Books were scarce, and the publican of Capernaum, though his occupation implied some administrative knowledge, probably owned few scrolls and would have heard the Scriptures read aloud more often than he read them himself. What strikes a person who learns this way is the coincidence of individual words and phrases with familiar events. He speaks not of what has been written, but of what has been spoken, and he is not overly concerned with the original context.

When St. Matthew looked back on the change that had come over Capernaum with the arrival of the prophet from Nazareth—a change that transformed his own life—these words seemed the only adequate description. Here was the very scene Isaiah had spoken of: the old border country of Zebulun and Naphtali. For him and for others who had been in the darkness of spiritual ignorance, neglected and uncared for like sheep gone astray in the dark valley of death, a marvelous Light had sprung up.

Unconsciously, he adds his testimony to that of St. John that the presence of Jesus was felt to be that of the true Light that lighteth every man (John 1:9).