Matthew 4:14
in Matthew 4to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
KJV
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
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This verse in Matthew 4
Commentary
12 notes on this verseIt is, in short, too bad that Romulus should have had in Proculus an avoucher of his ascent to heaven, when the Christ of (this) god could not find any one to announce his descent from heaven; just as if the ascent of the one and the descent of the other were not effected on one and the same ladder of falsehood! Then, what had he to do with Galilee, if he did not belong to the Creator by whom that region was destined (for His Christ) when about to enter on His ministry?
This site's exposition
He withdrew to Galilee
on Matthew 4:12-16
John's imprisonment moves Jesus to Capernaum. Matthew reads the move as fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1-2, "Galilee of the Gentiles," where "the people living in darkness have seen a great light." The words suit a region Judea looked down on, so the light rises first where the darkness was thought deepest.
This site's exposition
spoken through the prophet Isaiah
The prophecy stands at Isaiah 9:1 and 2, and Jamieson, Fausset and Brown note that the Hebrew numbers it as 8:23 and 9:1. Albert Barnes notes that Matthew renders the sense freely. Against Marcion, Tertullian argues from this fulfilment that Christ belongs to the Creator, who had marked out Galilee.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
(in Esai. c. 9. 1.) They are said at the first time to be lightened from the burden of sin, because in the country of these two tribes, the Saviour first preached the Gospel; at the last time their faith was increased, most of the Jews remaining in error. By the sea here is meant the Lake of Gennesaret, a lake formed by the waters of the Jordan, on its shores are the towns of Capernaum, Tiberias, Bethsaida, and Corozaim, in which district principally Christ preached.
He left one, viz. Nazareth, that He might enlighten more by His preaching and miracles. Thus leaving an example to all preachers that they should preach at a time and in places where they may do good, to as many as possible. In the prophecy, the words are these, At that first time the land of Zabulon and the land of Naphtali was lightened, and at the last time was increased the way of the sea beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. (Is. 9:1.)
The Medieval Church2 voices
That what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled. Note that not the exact words but only the sense of Isaiah (9:1) are given here. Isaiah says: "In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulon and the land of …
(ap. Anserm.) In allegory, John and the rest of the Prophets were the voice going before the Word. When prophecy ceased and was fettered, then came the Word, fulfilling what the Prophet had spoken of it, He departed into Galilee, i. e. from figure to verity. Or, into the Church, which is a passing from vice to virtue. Nazareth is interpreted 'a flower,' Capernaum, 'the beautiful village;' He left therefore the flower of figure, (in which was mystically intended the fruit of the Gospel,) and came into the Church, which was beautiful with Christ's virtues. It is by the sea-coast, because placed near the waves of this world, it is daily beaten by the storms of persecution. It is situated between Zabulon and Naphtali, i. e. common to Jews and Gentiles. Zabulon is interpreted, 'the abode of strength;' because the Apostles, who were chosen from Judæa, were strong. Nephtali, 'extension,' because the Church of the Gentiles was extended through the world.
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken,....
4 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
That it might be fulfilled ... - This place is recorded in Isa 9:1-2. Matthew has given the sense, but not the very words of the prophet. For the meaning of the passage as employed by Isaiah, see the notes at Isa 9:1-2. By the way of the sea - Which is near to the sea, or in the vicinity of the sea. Beyond Jordan - This does not mean to the east of Jordan, as the phrase sometimes denotes, but rather in the vicinity of the Jordan, or perhaps in the vicinity of the sources of the Jordan.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet-- (Isa 9:1, 2 or, as in Hebrew, Isaiah 8:23, and 9:1). saying--as follows:
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-run:12w-of-22
We have in these verses the beginning of our Lord’s ministry among men. He enters on his labours among a dark and ignorant people; he chooses men to be his companions and disciples. He confirms his ministry by miracles which rouse the attention of “all Syria”, and draw multitudes to hear him. Let us notice the way in which our Lord commenced his mighty work. He “began to preach.” There is no office so honourable as that of the preacher. There is no work so important to the souls of men. It is an office which the Son of God was not ashamed to take up. It is an office to which he appointed his twelve apostles. It is an office to which St. Paul in his old age specially directs Timothy’s attention—he charges him with almost his last breath to “preach the Word.” ( 2 Timothy 4:2 ) It is the principal means which God has always been pleased to use for the conversion and edification of souls. The brightest days of the church have been those when preaching has been honoured; the darkest days of the church have been those when it has been lightly esteemed. Let us honour the sacraments and public prayers of the church, and reverently use them; but let us beware that we do not place them above preaching. Let us notice the first doctrine which the Lord Jesus proclaimed to the world. He “began to say, Repent.” The necessity of repentance is one of the great foundation stones which lie at the very bottom of Christianity. It is a truth which needs to be pressed on all mankind without exception. High or low, rich or poor, all have sinned, and are guilty before God; and all must repent and be converted if they would be saved. It is a truth which does not receive the attention it deserves.
We have in these verses the beginning of our Lord’s ministry among men. He enters on his labours among a dark and ignorant people; he chooses men to be his companions and disciples. He confirms his ministry by miracles which rouse the attention of “all Syria”, and draw multitudes to hear him. Let us notice the way in which our Lord commenced his mighty work. He “began to preach.” There is no office so honourable as that of the preacher. There is no work so important to the souls of men.
The words behind it
9 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἵνα | ina | that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| πληρωθῇ | plerothea | it may be fulfilled | G4137 → | 86 times |
| τὸ | to | that | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ῥηθὲν | rhethen | having been spoken | G2046 → | 47 times |
| διὰ | dia | through | G1223 → | 664 times |
| Ἠσαΐου | esaiou | Isaiah | G2268 → | 22 times |
| τοῦ | tou | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| προφήτου | prophetou | prophet | G4396 → | 144 times |
| λέγοντος· | legontos | saying: | G3004 → | 1325 times |
ἵναthat
inaG2443 →668 times
πληρωθῇit may be fulfilled
plerotheaG4137 →86 times
τὸthat
toG3588 →19766 times
ῥηθὲνhaving been spoken
rhethenG2046 →47 times
διὰthrough
diaG1223 →664 times
ἨσαΐουIsaiah
esaiouG2268 →22 times
τοῦthe
touG3588 →19766 times
προφήτουprophet
prophetouG4396 →144 times
λέγοντος·saying:
legontosG3004 →1325 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Matthew 2:15where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
it leads to
- Hosea 11:1
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
- Exodus 4:22
Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son,
- Hosea 11:1
Through
Luke 24:44Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets,…
it leads to
- Zechariah 12:10
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They…
- Luke 24:26–27
Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?”
- Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of…
- Psalms 110:1–7
The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
- Acts 13:33
He has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.’
- Zechariah 12:10
Through
Matthew 2:23and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
it leads to
- Judges 13:5
For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall come over his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will…
- Judges 13:5
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies14
About Matthew
Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Matthew; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Rabanus Maurus, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Remigius of Rheims, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Tertullian, Against Marcion Book IV and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Matthew.