Matthew 4:14 kjv
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
Matthew 4:14 nkjv
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
Matthew 4:14 niv
to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
Matthew 4:14 esv
so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
Matthew 4:14 nlt
This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
Matthew 4 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 9:1-2 | But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish… the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light... | Prophecy fulfilled by Jesus in Galilee. |
| Mt 1:22 | All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet... | Example of Matthean fulfillment formula. |
| Mt 2:15 | This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet... | Example of Matthean fulfillment formula. |
| Mt 2:17 | Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet... | Example of Matthean fulfillment formula. |
| Mt 2:23 | And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. | Example of Matthean fulfillment formula. |
| Mt 8:17 | This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases." | Fulfillment related to Jesus' healing ministry. |
| Mt 12:17 | This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah... | Fulfillment of prophecy related to meekness. |
| Mt 13:35 | This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables..." | Fulfillment related to teaching method. |
| Mt 21:4 | This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet... | Fulfillment related to Triumphal Entry. |
| Mt 26:56 | But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. | General fulfillment of prophecy for Christ's suffering. |
| Jn 1:9 | The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. | Jesus as the Light, fulfilling Messianic hope. |
| Jn 8:12 | Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world..." | Jesus declares His identity as light. |
| Lk 2:32 | a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. | Simeon's prophecy connecting Messiah to light for Gentiles. |
| Acts 13:47 | For so the Lord has commanded us: "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth." | Isaiah prophecy of Israel/Messiah as light, applied to apostles. |
| Rom 1:2 | which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures... | God's long-standing plan revealed in prophecy. |
| Rom 15:8 | For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs... | Christ confirming God's ancient promises. |
| Heb 1:1 | Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets... | God speaking through prophets as part of divine communication. |
| 1 Pet 1:10 | Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully... | Prophets pointing to future salvation. |
| Zech 8:22-23 | Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations... | Prophetic expectation of Gentiles coming to God. |
| Isa 42:6 | I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant to the people, a light for the nations... | Prophecy of Servant as light to nations. |
| Isa 49:6 | I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. | Further prophecy of Servant as light to nations. |
Matthew 4 verses
Matthew 4 14 Meaning
This verse serves as a crucial theological explanation by Matthew for why Jesus relocated to Capernaum in Galilee. It asserts that Jesus' action fulfills a specific prophecy from the Old Testament book of Isaiah, thereby validating Jesus' messianic identity and demonstrating God's sovereign plan unfolding in history. The verse sets the stage for the direct quote from Isaiah, which immediately follows, describing light dawning in a region considered geographically and religiously marginalized.
Matthew 4 14 Context
Matthew 4:14 appears immediately after Jesus learns of John the Baptist's arrest (Mt 4:12). This event marks a transition in Jesus' ministry, prompting Him to withdraw from Judea and begin His public ministry in Galilee, specifically settling in Capernaum (Mt 4:13). The location is significant because Galilee, and particularly the area of Zebulun and Naphtali, was geographically and culturally a diverse region, sometimes viewed with disdain by those in Judea due to its proximity to Gentile lands and its mixed population. By starting His ministry there, Jesus fulfilled an ancient prophecy, declaring His divine mission and bringing the light of the Gospel to a region historically considered "dark" or marginalized. This action confirms Jesus as the anticipated Messiah who operates according to God's predetermined plan revealed through the prophets.
Matthew 4 14 Word analysis
- that (ὅπως, hopos): This is a purpose clause. It indicates that Jesus' action of moving to Capernaum was not random but occurred precisely for the purpose of fulfilling the prophecy. It underscores God's deliberate, providential control over events.
- it might be fulfilled (πληρωθῇ, plērōthē): A passive verb emphasizing divine agency. It signifies that the prophecy's realization is God's doing. This term is a core part of Matthew's "fulfillment formula" (often seen as "ἵνα πληρωθῇ", hina plērōthē or "οὗτως ἵνα πληρωθῇ", houtōs hina plērōthē). Matthew employs this formula to continually demonstrate Jesus' life and ministry as the unfolding of God's redemptive plan foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures. It strongly validates Jesus' Messiahship.
- which was spoken (τὸ ῥηθὲν, to rhēthen): Refers to something directly uttered or prophesied. It highlights the divine origin of the words, conveyed through a human prophet. It carries authority.
- by (ὑπὸ, hupo): Indicates the agent through whom the words were delivered. In this case, it was a prophet.
- Isaiah (Ἠσαΐου, Hēsaïou): The Greek transliteration of the prophet's name. Isaiah is revered as one of the major prophets, often called the "evangelical prophet" for his extensive prophecies concerning the Messiah, the suffering servant, and the establishment of God's kingdom. His prophecies held immense authority among the Jews.
- the prophet (τοῦ προφήτου, tou prophētou): Confirms Isaiah's role as God's spokesperson. This title validates the authority and divine inspiration of the prophecy.
- saying (λέγοντος, legontos): Introduces the direct or paraphrased quotation that follows in verses 15-16.
Words-group analysis
- that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet: This entire phrase is a signature Matthean theological marker. It demonstrates Matthew's primary agenda: to present Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) by systematically showing how His life, ministry, death, and resurrection were foretold in the Old Testament. This formula emphasizes that these events were not accidental but part of a divine blueprint. It provides apologetic proof for Jewish audiences and serves as a polemic against those who questioned or denied Jesus' Messiahship, demonstrating God's sovereign control over history and prophecy.
Matthew 4 14 Bonus section
- Matthew's Fulfillment Formula: Matthew uses variations of "this was to fulfill what was spoken..." frequently (over a dozen times), more than any other Gospel. This highlights his consistent argument that Jesus is the culmination of Israel's history and prophetic hopes. This intentional literary device frames Jesus' entire ministry within the context of divine predetermination.
- Galilee of the Gentiles (Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν, Galilaia tōn ethnōn): While not directly in verse 14, this phrase from the prophecy (Isaiah 9:1, quoted in Mt 4:15) is central to its meaning. This designation reflected the historical reality of Galilee as a melting pot of Jewish and Gentile cultures, due to trade routes and various resettlements. For Jesus to begin His ministry in this "borderland" area, rather than Judea, indicated that the salvation He brought was not exclusively for a narrow religious elite, but destined to encompass all nations, starting from a place of cultural blend and relative darkness.
- Isaiah's Context: Isaiah 9:1-2 was originally a prophecy of hope during a dark time for Israel (likely referring to Assyrian invasions which devastated Galilee first). Matthew interprets this historical context to find its ultimate, spiritual fulfillment in Christ's arrival. The physical invasion and darkness in Isaiah foreshadowed the spiritual darkness and bondage that Christ, the "Great Light," would dispel.
Matthew 4 14 Commentary
Matthew 4:14 underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and prophetic fulfillment, central to Matthew's Gospel. It establishes that Jesus' seemingly mundane relocation to Capernaum in Galilee was a purposeful act, aligned with God's long-foretold plan. This verse serves as the immediate introduction to Isaiah 9:1-2, which speaks of light dawning on "Galilee of the Gentiles" – a region often dismissed yet chosen by God as the starting point for His Son's earthly ministry. It reveals that the messianic light was intended not just for Jerusalem but for the peripheral, mixed-heritage regions, signifying God's universal reach beyond traditional Jewish boundaries. This fulfillment validates Jesus' messianic claims and emphasizes God's faithfulness to His promises throughout history.