Matthew 4:14

KJV

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G2443} it might be fulfilled {G4137} which {G3588} was spoken {G4483} by {G1223} Esaias {G2268} the prophet {G4396}, saying {G3004},

Complete Jewish Bible

This happened in order to fulfill what Yesha`yahu the prophet had said,

Berean Standard Bible

to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

American Standard Version

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 4:14 serves as a pivotal transitional statement in the Gospel, asserting that Jesus' relocation to Capernaum and the commencement of His public ministry in Galilee directly fulfill an ancient prophecy from Isaiah. This verse underscores Matthew's central theological conviction that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, whose life and actions are not coincidental but are the precise and divinely orchestrated culmination of God's redemptive plan revealed through His prophets in the Old Testament.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately precedes Matthew's direct quotation of [Isaiah 9:1-2](/isaiah/9-1-2 "Isaiah's Prophecy of Light in Galilee"), which speaks of a great light shining in "Galilee of the Gentiles." Matthew strategically places this fulfillment formula after describing Jesus' move from Nazareth to Capernaum, a city located by the Sea of Galilee, following [the imprisonment of John the Baptist](/matthew/4-12 "Matthew 4:12 - John the Baptist Imprisoned"). This geographical shift marks the formal beginning of Jesus' public ministry, setting the stage for His teaching, healing, and calling of disciples in a region often considered religiously marginalized. The "fulfillment formula" ("that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by...") is a hallmark of Matthew's Gospel, appearing frequently to demonstrate Jesus' messianic credentials to his primarily Jewish audience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Galilee, particularly "Galilee of the Gentiles" (which included areas populated by non-Jews), was often looked down upon by the Judean religious elite. It was a region of mixed populations, diverse cultural influences, and was geographically distant from the religious center of Jerusalem. The prophecy in [Isaiah 9:1-2](/isaiah/9-1-2 "Isaiah 9:1-2 - Light in the Darkness") originally referred to the northern territories of Israel, specifically Zebulun and Naphtali, which had suffered greatly during the Assyrian invasions. Isaiah's prophecy offered a message of hope and restoration, promising that a great light would appear in this very region that had "walked in darkness." Matthew's application of this prophecy to Jesus' ministry in Galilee highlights God's unexpected choice of a humble, peripheral region as the starting point for the Messiah's public work, challenging conventional expectations of where the Messiah would begin His kingdom proclamation.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 4:14 powerfully reinforces several pervasive themes within the Gospel. The most prominent is **Prophetic Fulfillment**, which is central to Matthew's Christology. By repeatedly linking Jesus' life events to Old Testament prophecies (e.g., His birth to [Isaiah 7:14](/isaiah/7-14 "Isaiah 7:14 - The Virgin Birth Prophecy") in [Matthew 1:22-23](/matthew/1-22-23 "Matthew 1:22-23 - Fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14"), His return from Egypt to [Hosea 11:1](/hosea/11-1 "Hosea 11:1 - Out of Egypt I Called My Son") in [Matthew 2:15](/matthew/2-15 "Matthew 2:15 - Fulfillment of Hosea 11:1")), Matthew establishes Jesus' identity as the long-awaited Messiah. This verse also highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating that God's plan for salvation history is meticulously unfolding according to His predetermined will, with Jesus' every action serving as a deliberate step in that plan. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Light and Darkness**, as Jesus' ministry in Galilee, a region previously in "darkness," signifies the dawning of God's salvific light, foreshadowing the universal reach of the Gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** From G4137, this verb means "to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram... or (figuratively) to furnish... satisfy, execute... finish... verify (or coincide with a prediction)." In the context of prophecy, it signifies that Jesus' actions did not merely resemble or align with Isaiah's words, but rather brought them to their complete and intended realization. It implies a divine culmination, where the prophecy finds its perfect embodiment in the person and work of Christ.
* **spoken (Greek, _rhéō'_):** From G4483, this verb means "to utter, i.e. speak or say." While similar to `légō` (G3004), `rhéō` often emphasizes the act of breaking silence or the simple utterance of words, particularly divine pronouncements. Here, it underscores that the prophecy was a direct, authoritative word from God, delivered through His chosen instrument, Esaias.
* **prophet (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** From G4396, this noun denotes "a foreteller" or "an inspired speaker." A prophet was not merely one who predicted the future, but primarily one who spoke on behalf of God, conveying His will and truth to humanity. The designation of Esaias as "the prophet" emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the words being fulfilled by Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That it might be fulfilled":** This opening clause, introduced by the conjunction "That" (Greek, `hína` - G2443, denoting purpose or result), clearly states the divine intention behind Jesus' actions. His move to Capernaum and the start of His ministry there were not accidental but were specifically purposed by God to bring about the complete realization of prophecy. This highlights God's sovereign control over history and His meticulous plan for the Messiah.
* **"which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,":** This phrase identifies the specific source of the prophecy being fulfilled. "Esaias" (Greek, `Hēsaḯas` - G2268) is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Isaiah," one of the most significant Old Testament prophets. By naming Isaiah, Matthew grounds Jesus' ministry firmly in the Hebrew Scriptures, signaling to his Jewish audience the continuity between God's ancient promises and their contemporary fulfillment in Christ. The inclusion of "the prophet" further emphasizes the divine authority behind Isaiah's words.
* **"saying,":** This simple participle (Greek, `légō` - G3004) acts as a direct introduction to the prophetic quotation that immediately follows in Matthew 4:15-16. It signals that the exact words of Isaiah are about to be presented, reinforcing the precise nature of the fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 4:14 primarily employs **Fulfillment Citation**, a hallmark literary device throughout Matthew's Gospel. This technique involves explicitly stating that an event in Jesus' life occurs "that it might be fulfilled" what was spoken by a prophet. This device serves to underscore the divine orchestration of Jesus' life and ministry, presenting Him as the culmination of God's redemptive plan. It functions as a powerful apologetic tool for Matthew's Jewish audience, demonstrating Jesus' legitimate claim to Messiahship by aligning His actions with their revered scriptures. The verse also utilizes **Allusion** by referencing "Esaias the prophet," immediately bringing to mind the extensive prophetic corpus of Isaiah and its messianic implications, thereby enriching the narrative with layers of Old Testament theology.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 4:14 stands as a profound theological statement, asserting that the entirety of Jesus' life and ministry is a direct outworking of God's eternal plan, meticulously revealed through the Old Testament prophets. It underscores the reliability and truthfulness of God's word, demonstrating His faithfulness in bringing His promises to fruition in the person of Jesus Christ. This verse reinforces the concept of progressive revelation, where the shadows and types of the Old Testament find their substance and ultimate meaning in the New. It also highlights the divine authority of Jesus, whose every step is validated by ancient, divinely inspired pronouncements, thereby solidifying His identity as the long-awaited Messiah and the very embodiment of God's redemptive purpose for humanity.

* [Matthew 1:22-23](/matthew/1-22-23 "Matthew 1:22-23 - Fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14")
* [Matthew 2:15](/matthew/2-15 "Matthew 2:15 - Fulfillment of Hosea 11:1")
* [Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Jesus Explains Scripture")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 4:14 offers profound reassurance and a call to deeper trust in God's sovereign plan. In a world often characterized by chaos and uncertainty, this verse reminds us that God is actively at work, orchestrating events according to His perfect will, just as He meticulously fulfilled prophecies concerning His Son. For believers, this means we can rest in the knowledge that our lives, too, are part of a larger divine narrative, even when circumstances seem unclear. It encourages us to diligently study Scripture, recognizing that the Old Testament is not merely ancient history but a vibrant tapestry woven with promises that find their ultimate meaning and fulfillment in Christ. Understanding this continuity deepens our appreciation for Jesus' unique authority and His rightful claim as Lord and Savior, compelling us to live lives that reflect His light in a world still longing for true illumination.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of prophetic fulfillment in Jesus' life strengthen your faith in God's faithfulness and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways can understanding the Old Testament prophecies deepen your appreciation for who Jesus is and what He accomplished?**
* **How might recognizing God's meticulous plan for Jesus encourage you to trust His plan for your own life, even when it's unclear?**

### FAQ
**Why does Matthew emphasize prophetic fulfillment so much?**

Answer: Matthew's Gospel was primarily written for a Jewish audience, and for them, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy was the ultimate proof of Messiahship. By repeatedly showing how Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection directly fulfilled specific prophecies, Matthew aimed to convince his readers that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Christ. This emphasis also highlights God's faithfulness and the divine orchestration of salvation history, demonstrating that Jesus' coming was not random but part of God's meticulously planned redemptive work from eternity past, as seen in passages like [Matthew 1:22-23](/matthew/1-22-23 "Matthew 1:22-23 - Fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14") and [Matthew 2:15](/matthew/2-15 "Matthew 2:15 - Fulfillment of Hosea 11:1").

**What is the significance of "Galilee of the Gentiles" in this context?**

Answer: The prophecy in [Isaiah 9:1-2](/isaiah/9-1-2 "Isaiah's Prophecy of Light in Galilee") speaks of light coming to a region that had been in "darkness," specifically mentioning Zebulun and Naphtali, which were northern territories in Galilee. This area was historically marginalized, often looked down upon by the religious elite in Jerusalem, and had a significant Gentile population. By beginning His ministry in "Galilee of the Gentiles," Jesus fulfills Isaiah's prophecy, demonstrating that God's light and salvation would not be confined to the religious establishment or a specific geographical center, but would extend to those on the periphery, foreshadowing the universal reach of the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 4:14, by declaring the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, powerfully points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate embodiment of God's redemptive promises. The "great light" prophesied by Isaiah in [Isaiah 9:2](/isaiah/9-2 "Isaiah 9:2 - The Great Light") is none other than Jesus Himself, who later declares, "[I am the light of the world](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, Light of the World")" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, Light of the World")). His ministry in Galilee, a region previously shrouded in spiritual darkness, signifies the dawning of God's kingdom and the breaking forth of divine truth and grace. This fulfillment is not merely a historical correlation but a profound theological reality: Jesus, the Son of God, perfectly fulfills the Old Testament's messianic expectations, bringing salvation not just to Israel but to all who dwell in darkness. His coming marks the turning point in salvation history, where the prophetic word becomes flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), and the long-awaited King begins His reign, ushering in an era of light, hope, and spiritual liberation for all peoples, echoing the universal scope of the Gospel found in passages like [Acts 13:47](/acts/13-47 "Acts 13:47 - Light to the Gentiles").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 9:1

¶ Nevertheless the dimness [shall] not [be] such as [was] in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict [her by] the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

Isaiah 9:2

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Matthew 2:23

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Luke 24:44

And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.

Matthew 12:17

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

Matthew 12:21

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Matthew 2:15

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.