Matthew 4:16
the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned."
The people
This phrase refers to the collective group of individuals who are the recipients of the prophecy. In the context of Matthew 4:16, "the people" are the inhabitants of the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, as well as the broader audience of Israel. Historically, these tribes were part of the Northern Kingdom, which had experienced significant turmoil and darkness due to invasions and exile. The Greek word used here is "ὁ λαός" (ho laos), which often denotes a specific group of people, particularly the chosen people of God, Israel. This highlights the fulfillment of prophecy and the continuity of God's plan for His people.

living in darkness
This phrase metaphorically describes the spiritual and moral state of the people. "Darkness" in the Bible often symbolizes ignorance, sin, and separation from God. The Greek word "σκοτία" (skotia) is used here, which can mean both physical darkness and a lack of spiritual enlightenment. Historically, this darkness can be seen as the period of silence and oppression before the coming of Christ, where the people were without prophetic guidance and under Roman rule. This sets the stage for the coming of Jesus as the light of the world, bringing hope and salvation.

have seen a great light
This phrase signifies the revelation and presence of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The "great light" is a metaphor for Jesus, who brings truth, guidance, and salvation. The Greek word for "light" is "φῶς" (phōs), which is often used in the New Testament to describe the divine truth and presence of God. This imagery is rooted in Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 9:2, which foretold the coming of a savior who would bring light to those in darkness. The fulfillment of this prophecy in Christ is a testament to God's faithfulness and the transformative power of His presence.

and on those
This phrase emphasizes the inclusivity of the message and the reach of Christ's light. It indicates that the light is not limited to a specific group but extends to all who are in darkness. The Greek word "καί" (kai) is a conjunction that connects the previous thought to this one, showing the continuation and expansion of the light's impact. This highlights the universal nature of Christ's mission and the hope offered to all humanity.

dwelling in the land of the shadow of death
This phrase paints a vivid picture of the dire situation faced by the people. The "land of the shadow of death" is a poetic expression found in the Hebrew Scriptures, notably in Psalm 23:4, symbolizing a place of deep despair and danger. The Greek word "σκιᾷ" (skia) means shadow, and "θανάτου" (thanatou) means death, together conveying a sense of looming peril and hopelessness. This context underscores the desperate need for divine intervention and the profound impact of Christ's coming as a source of life and hope.

a light has dawned
This phrase concludes the verse with a powerful image of new beginnings and hope. The "light" is again a reference to Jesus, whose arrival marks the start of a new era of grace and truth. The Greek word "ἀνέτειλεν" (aneteilen) means "has dawned," suggesting the breaking of a new day and the dispelling of darkness. This imagery is rich with eschatological significance, pointing to the inauguration of the Kingdom of God through Christ. It serves as an invitation to embrace the light and life offered by Jesus, transforming the lives of those who receive Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure of the New Testament, whose ministry is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. In this verse, He is the "great light" that has dawned.

2. People Living in Darkness
Refers to the Israelites and, by extension, all humanity living in spiritual ignorance and sin before the coming of Christ.

3. Land of the Shadow of Death
A metaphorical description of a place of despair and hopelessness, often associated with the regions of Galilee where Jesus began His ministry.

4. Galilee
The region where Jesus started His public ministry, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah about a light shining in darkness.

5. Prophecy of Isaiah
This verse fulfills the prophecy found in Isaiah 9:1-2, which speaks of a great light coming to those in darkness.
Teaching Points
Jesus as the Fulfillment of Prophecy
Recognize that Jesus' coming was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, affirming the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture.

Light in Darkness
Understand that Jesus is the light that dispels spiritual darkness, offering hope and salvation to all who believe.

Living as Children of Light
As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His light in our lives, living in a way that honors God and draws others to Him.

Hope in Despair
In times of personal darkness or despair, remember that Jesus is the light that brings hope and guidance.

Evangelism and Witness
Be encouraged to share the light of Christ with others, especially those who are still living in spiritual darkness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus as the "great light" impact your view of His role in your life today?

2. In what ways can you reflect the light of Christ in your daily interactions with others?

3. How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Matthew 4:16 strengthen your faith in the reliability of Scripture?

4. What areas of your life feel like they are in "the shadow of death," and how can you invite Jesus' light into those areas?

5. How can you use the message of Matthew 4:16 to encourage someone who is experiencing spiritual darkness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 9:1-2
This Old Testament prophecy is directly quoted in Matthew 4:16, highlighting the fulfillment of the promise of a Messiah who would bring light to those in darkness.

John 1:4-5
Describes Jesus as the light of men, shining in the darkness, which the darkness has not overcome, reinforcing the theme of Jesus as the light.

Ephesians 5:8
Encourages believers to live as children of light, drawing a parallel to the transformation that occurs when one follows Christ.

Psalm 23:4
Speaks of walking through the valley of the shadow of death, yet fearing no evil, as God is with us, similar to the hope brought by the light of Christ.
Darkness and LightA. Tucker.Matthew 4:16
Light for Those Who Sit in DarknessC. H. Spurgeon.Matthew 4:16
The Extremes of Light and DarknessP.C. Barker Matthew 4:16
Light in DarknessW.F. Adeney Matthew 4:12-17
Light in DarknessJ.A. Macdonald Matthew 4:12-17
Call of the FishermenMarcus Dods Matthew 4:12-22
People
Andrew, Isaiah, James, Jesus, John, Naphtali, Nephthalim, Peter, Simon, Zabdi, Zabulon, Zebedee, Zebulun
Places
Capernaum, Decapolis, Galilee, High Mountain, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Judea, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Syria, Wilderness of Judea
Topics
Arisen, Brilliant, Dark, Darkness, Dawn, Dawned, Death, Dwelling, Region, Sat, Shade, Shades, Shadow, Sitting, Spring, Sprung
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Matthew 4:16

     4811   darkness, symbol of sin
     4835   light, spiritual
     4836   light, and people of God
     4846   shadow
     4918   dawn
     9024   death, spiritual

Matthew 4:12-16

     7266   tribes of Israel

Matthew 4:13-16

     2366   Christ, prophecies concerning

Matthew 4:14-16

     2422   gospel, confirmation

Library
Temptation
Eversley, 1872. Chester Cathedral, 1872. St Matt. iv. 3. "And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." Let me say a few words to-day about a solemn subject, namely, Temptation. I do not mean the temptations of the flesh--the temptations which all men have to yield to the low animal nature in them, and behave like brutes. I mean those deeper and more terrible temptations, which our Lord conquered in that great struggle with
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

The victory of the King
'Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred. 3. And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5. Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Springing of the Great Light
'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
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Early Welcome and the First Ministers of the King
'From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 18. And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19. And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20. And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him. 21. And going on from thence, He saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Interpretation of Holy Scripture. --Inspired Interpretation. --The Bible is not to be Interpreted Like any Other Book. --God, (Not Man,) the Real Author of the Bible.
It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. IT is impossible to preserve exact method in Sermons like these, uncertain in number, and delivered at irregular intervals. It shall only be stated that, having already spoken at considerable length, of the Inspiration of Holy Scripture;--not, one part more, one part less, but every part equally inspired throughout; not general, (whatever the exact notion may be of a book generally inspired,)
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

July the Thirteenth Plain Glass
"They were fishers." --MATTHEW iv. 12-22. And so our Lord went first to the fishing-boats and not to the schools. Learning is apt to be proud and aggressive, and hostile to the simplicities of the Spirit. There is nothing like plain glass for letting in the light! And our Lord wanted transparent media, and so He went to the simple fishermen on the beach. "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world." And by choosing labouring men our Master glorified labour. He Himself had worn the workman's
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Light for those who Sit in Darkness
From the text it appears that some are in greater darkness than others; and that, secondly, for such there is a hope of light; but that, thirdly, the light which will come to them lies all in Christ; and, fourthly (joyful news!) that light is already sprung up all around them: they have but to open their eyes to delight in it. I. SOME SOULS ARE IN GREATER DARKNESS THAN OTHERS. It appears from the text that it was so in Christ's days, and certainly it is so now. Divine sovereignty runs through all
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

How to Become Fishers of Men
Note, next, that we are not made all that we shall be, nor all that we ought to desire to be, when we are ourselves fished for and caught. This is what the grace of God does for us at first; but it is not all. We are like the fishes, making sin to be our element; and the good Lord comes, and with the gospel net he takes us, and he delivers us from the life and love of sin. But he has not wrought for us all that he can do, nor all that we should wish him to do, when he has done this; for it is another
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

Christ's First and Last Subject
IT SEEMS from these two texts that repentance was the first subject upon which the Redeemer dwelt, and that it was the last, which, with his departing breath, he commended to the earnestness of his disciples. He begins his mission crying, "Repent," he ends it by saying to his successors the apostles, "Preach repentance and remission of sins among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." This seems to me to be a very interesting fact, and not simply interesting, but instructive. Jesus Christ opens his
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

Twenty-Fourth Day. Firmness in Temptation.
"Jesus saith unto him, Get thee hence, Satan."--Matt. iv. 10. There is an awful intensity of meaning in the words, as applied to Jesus, "He suffered, being tempted!" Though incapable of sin, there was, in the refined sensibilities of His holy nature, that which made temptation unspeakably fearful. What must it have been to confront the Arch-traitor?--to stand face to face with the foe of His throne, and His universe? But the "prince of this world" came, and found "nothing in Him." Billow after
John R. Macduff—The Mind of Jesus

Eighth Day. Submission to God's Word.
"Jesus said unto him, It is written."--Matt. iv. 7. We can not fail to be struck, in the course of the Saviour's public teaching, with His constant appeal to the word of God. While, at times, He utters, in His own name, the authoritative behest, "Verily, verily, I say unto you," He as often thus introduces some mighty work, or gives intimation of some impending event in His own momentous life, "These things must come to pass, that the Scriptures be fulfilled, which saith." He commands His people
John R. Macduff—The Mind of Jesus

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
John Knox, the great Scottish reformer, was born at Giffordgate, four miles from Haddington, Scotland, in 1505. He first made his appearance as a preacher in Edinburgh, where he thundered against popery, but was imprisoned and sent to the galleys in 1546. In 1547 Edward VI secured his release and made him a royal chaplain, when he acquired the friendship of Cranmer and other reformers. On the accession of Mary (1553) he took refuge on the Continent. In 1556 he accepted the charge of a church in Geneva,
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I

The Temptation in the Wilderness.
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

Thoughts Upon the Appearance of Christ the Sun of Righteousness, or the Beatifick vision.
SO long as we are in the Body, we are apt to be governed wholly by its senses, seldom or never minding any thing but what comes to us through one or other of them. Though we are all able to abstract our Thoughts when we please from matter, and fix them upon things that are purely spiritual; there are but few that ever do it. But few, even among those also that have such things revealed to them by God himself, and so have infinitely more and firmer ground to believe them, than any one, or all their
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Christ, the Great Teacher
Scripture references: Matthew 4:23; 5:1,2; 7:29; 13:54; 26:55; 28:19,20; Mark 1:21,22; 4:1,2; 6:6; Luke 5:3; 11:1; 19:47; John 6:59; 7:14; 8:28. THE FOUNDER OF CHRISTIANITY The heart of the Christian religion is found in Jesus Christ. If we desire to know what Christianity is and of what elements it is composed we must look to Him and His teachings. He is the great source of our knowledge of what God, man, sin, righteousness, duty and salvation are. Our interest in the books of the Old Testament
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision A. Reasons for Retiring to Galilee. ^A Matt. IV. 12; ^B Mark I. 14; ^C Luke III. 19, 20; ^D John IV. 1-4. ^c 19 but Herod the tetrarch [son of Herod the Great, and tetrarch, or governor, of Galilee], being reproved by him [that is, by John the Baptist] for Herodias his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done [A full account of the sin of Herod and persecution of John will be found at Matt. xiv. 1-12 and Mark vi. 14-29. John had spoken the truth to Herod as fearlessly
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

General Account of Jesus' Teaching.
^A Matt. IV. 17; ^B Mark I. 14, 15; ^C Luke IV. 14, 15. ^a 17 From that time Jesus began to preach [The time here indicated is that of John the Baptist's imprisonment and Jesus' return to Galilee. This time marked a new period in the public ministry of Jesus. Hitherto he had taught, but he now began to preach. When the voice of his messenger, John, was silenced, the King became his own herald. Paul quoted the Greeks as saying that preaching was "foolishness," but following the example here set by
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness.
^A Matt. IV. 1-11; ^B Mark I. 12, 13; ^C Luke IV. 1-13. ^c 1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, ^b 12 And straightway the Spirit driveth him forth ^c and ^a 1 Then [Just after his baptism, with the glow of the descended Spirit still upon him, and the commending voice of the Father still ringing in his ears, Jesus is rushed into the suffering of temptation. Thus abrupt and violent are the changes of life. The spiritually exalted may expect these sharp contrasts. After being
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus' Temporary Residence at Capernaum.
^A Matt. IV. 13-16. ^a 13 And leaving Nazareth [This expression means that Jesus now ceased to make Nazareth his home. For description of Nazareth, see page 60], he came and dwelt in Capernaum [See page 119. Capernaum means city of Nahum, or village of consolation. Its modern name, "Tel-Hum," means hill of Nahum. The word "dwelt" means that Jesus made this town his headquarters. He owned no house there (Matt. viii. 20). He may have dwelt with some of his disciples--for instance, Simon Peter--Matt.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus]
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour through Galilee.
^A Matt. IV. 23-25; ^B Mark I. 35-39; ^C Luke IV. 42-44. ^b 35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up went out [i. e., from the house of Simon Peter], and departed into a desert place, and there prayed. [Though Palestine was densely populated, its people were all gathered into towns, so that it was usually easy to find solitude outside the city limits. A ravine near Capernaum, called the Vale of Doves, would afford such solitude. Jesus taught (Matt. vi. 6) and practiced solitary
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Second visit to Cana - Cure of the Nobleman's' Son at Capernaum.
THE brief harvest in Samaria was, as Jesus had indicated to His disciples, in another sense also the beginning of sowing-time, or at least that when the green blade first appeared above ground. It formed the introduction to that Galilean ministry, when the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did at Jerusalem at the Feast.' [2013] Nay, in some respects, it was the real beginning of His Work also, which, viewed as separate and distinct, commenced when the Baptist was cast into
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Second Journey through Galilee - the Healing of the Leper.
A DAY and an evening such as of that Sabbath of healing in Capernaum must, with reverence be it written, have been followed by what opens the next section. [2299] To the thoughtful observer there is such unbroken harmony in the Life of Jesus, such accord of the inward and outward, as to carry instinctive conviction of the truth of its record. It was, so to speak, an inward necessity that the God-Man, when brought into contact with disease and misery, whether from physical or supernatural causes,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Temptation of Jesus
The proclamation and inauguration of the Kingdom of Heaven' at such a time, and under such circumstances, was one of the great antitheses of history. With reverence be it said, it is only God Who would thus begin His Kingdom. A similar, even greater antithesis, was the commencement of the Ministry of Christ. From the Jordan to the wilderness with its wild Beasts; from the devout acknowledgment of the Baptist, the consecration and filial prayer of Jesus, the descent of the Holy Spirit, and the heard
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

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