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Matthew 4:14

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

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

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

to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

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

Commentary

Matthew 4:14 KJV serves as a crucial transitional verse, introducing a direct quotation from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. It emphasizes a core theme throughout Matthew's Gospel: that the life and ministry of Jesus Christ are not random events but are the precise fulfillment of ancient prophecies, demonstrating His identity as the long-awaited Messiah.

Context

This verse immediately precedes the quotation of Isaiah 9:1-2, which speaks of a great light shining in "Galilee of the Gentiles." Matthew places this fulfillment statement right after Jesus establishes His base in Capernaum, in the region of Galilee (Matthew 4:13), and begins His public ministry following John the Baptist's imprisonment (Matthew 4:12). For Matthew's primary Jewish audience, proving Jesus' messianic credentials through prophetic fulfillment was paramount.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The central message is God's faithfulness in bringing His word to pass. Jesus' actions are divinely orchestrated, validating His claim as the Christ. This "fulfillment formula" is a hallmark of Matthew's Gospel, appearing numerous times (e.g., Matthew 1:22, Matthew 2:15).
  • Messianic Identity: By linking Jesus' actions directly to Isaiah, Matthew underscores that Jesus is the promised deliverer. His ministry in Galilee, often considered a religiously peripheral region, was foretold to be the starting point of a great spiritual awakening.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse highlights God's overarching plan for salvation history, meticulously unfolding over centuries according to His revealed will.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Esaias" is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew prophet "Isaiah." The phrase "that it might be fulfilled" (Greek: hina plērothē) uses the verb plēroō, which means to "fill up," "complete," or "bring to full realization." It suggests that Jesus' life perfectly embodied and brought to fruition what Isaiah had foreseen, not just a simple correlation but a divine culmination.

Practical Application

Matthew 4:14 reassures believers of God's meticulous attention to detail and His unwavering commitment to His promises. It encourages us to:

  • Trust God's Plan: Just as God fulfilled ancient prophecies, He continues to work out His purposes in the world and in our lives.
  • Study Scripture: Understanding the Old Testament provides a rich backdrop for appreciating the New Testament and the person of Jesus Christ.
  • Recognize Jesus' Authority: The prophetic fulfillment underscores Jesus' unique divine authority and His rightful claim as Lord and Savior.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 9:1 (25 votes)

    ¶ 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 (25 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 12:21 (4 votes)

    And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

  • Matthew 2:15 (4 votes)

    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.