Text: Matthew 4: 12-17 – “Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
We see Jesus in our passage today moving from Nazareth to the Galilee region. Luke records in chapter 4: 16 and following that Jesus was rejected in His own hometown. Again, this is proof that the miracles mentioned yesterday did not take place.
Matthew alone mentions this move. Why? He is establishing Jesus’ Messiahship to the Jewish readers. Matthew uses the Old Testament prophecies to substantiate his position. Matthew quotes Isaiah 9:1 -2 – “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, And afterward more heavily oppressed her, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, In Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.”
The word translated Gentiles here is ethnos – or the idea of nations or those who did not believe in the one true God. This includes anyone who was not an Israelite. The prophecy tells us that Jesus is going where they need the truth taught the truth. The prophecy refers to them being in darkness – this is spiritual darkness.
This prophecy in Isaiah originally was concerned with the setting of Israel free from the captivity of the Assyrian empire. Matthews's use of it here alludes to the spiritual captivity of the people, and how that is of greater importance. The concept of Jesus as the light is more fully developed by John in His writings.
Jesus is recorded as ministering to those lost in the darkness of spiritual unbelief. He began to herald – Greek karusso – to proclaim or publish the message. Notice this is the same message as John the Baptizer proclaimed. They called them to repent – Greek word metanoeno that means to change one’s mind, to think differently, to reconsider. It is a word picture of making a 180-degree turn. They proclaimed that the Ruler or reign of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew’s use equates it to the Kingdom of God) was at hand. “At hand” – the Greek word used here is in the perfect, active, indicative voice – in simpler words – it happened and was completed in the past. He is saying – Reconsider yourself because God’s Kingdom was and is available today. It is right here.
So following His proof of His impeccable life, He starts to proclaim the truth to those whose eyes were blinded to the truth.
Today, take time to do what Jesus proclaimed, reconsider yourself
because God’s Kingdom was and is available today. Have you repented and received
the gift of God through Jesus?
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