The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
After His temptation ended and John was put in prison, Jesus left Nazareth after His rejection there and came to dwell in Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee within Zebulun and Naphtali, called Galilee of the Gentiles. His dwelling and preaching there that the kingdom of heaven was near fulfilled what Isaiah foretold that this region in darkness and the shadow of death would see a great light. That light was Christ Himself and His clear gospel call to repentance, shining through His teaching, preaching and healing to bring life, understanding and joy to the afflicted, needy and sorrowful sitting in moral darkness. He made Capernaum the center of His work because it stood on the great highway from Damascus to Jerusalem, Egypt and the sea, where travelers from many lands passed through, so that all nations and ranks could meet Him and carry His lessons and the investigation of prophecy to other countries and homes. In going outside His own city into the highways and byways to labor for the ignorant and out of the way as the great Medical Missionary, He set the pattern for gospel workers to labor earnestly in cities everywhere and in needy unworked fields rather than building up a few large centers.
Place Identified in Verse
The district named is the territories of Zebulun and Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, called Galilee of the Gentiles, the country around the Sea of Galilee associated with Gentiles. It introduces the setting for what follows, where people in darkness would see great light. Within those borders, upon the seacoast, stood Capernaum, where Jesus came to dwell and began His public work.
The move was a leaving of Nazareth to dwell in Capernaum after His rejection in Nazareth, a going outside His own city. It took place after His temptation in the wilderness was ended, when He returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee and His fame went out through all the region round about. That return brought Him first to Nazareth from the temptation before He settled at Capernaum.
It took place after John was cast into prison, when Jesus heard it and departed into Galilee. After danger in Jerusalem made it unsafe for Him to remain there, He went to Galilee, taught in Capernaum, and drew Sabbath crowds to hear Him.
Prophecy Isaiah Foretold
His dwelling and ministry in that place fulfilled what was spoken by Isaiah concerning this region, that it would see a great light as He began preaching that the kingdom of heaven was near. The land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, identifies the territories around the Sea of Galilee where Jesus came to dwell after His rejection in Nazareth, leaving Nazareth to dwell in Capernaum upon the seacoast within the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. His presence and work there fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy about light coming to people living in darkness and in the region and shadow of death, and its setting introduces the region where people in darkness would see the great light of Christ's message. It belongs to Christ's example of how to work, with His methods in this chapter to be read and followed by all engaged in the Lord's work.
After John was cast into prison Jesus left Nazareth and dwelt in Capernaum on the seacoast in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, in fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. At His first advent the world was in terrible condition with men controlled by satanic agencies over body and mind, and the Majesty of heaven looked in pity on the human race and alone could break Satan's power. So He laid off His kingly crown and royal robe and, clothing His divinity with humanity, came to bring great light to those sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of death, to meet the powers of darkness and hold Satan's forces in check as a counterworking influence from the highest authority.
The naming of Zebulun and Naphtali, by the sea and beyond the Jordan, called Galilee of the Gentiles, marks the setting where crowds gathered to hear Jesus. That gathering fulfilled the prophets' expectation that this region would see the great light described in the following verse.
Light Dawning in Darkness
The district named is home to Gentiles living in darkness and in the region and shadow of death, the people sitting in darkness who would see great light when Christ began His public work there. With the following verse it marks the setting where that light would break upon those under spiritual darkness and the shadow of death, locating the hopeful message of the gospel among them. There Christ, the light of the world, shone amid moral darkness.
The light that shone is the clear presentation of the truths of the Bible and the gospel, heard in His call to repent because the kingdom of heaven was near. It came as He preached the gospel and healed the sick, fulfilling what was spoken about people in darkness seeing great light. Joined to the next verse, the region is thus pictured as a promise of hope for people who sit in darkness and need the truths of the gospel.
The great light shone as Jesus taught, preached, and healed in Galilee, and His teaching, preaching, and healing there opened doors for the gospel. His words brought the light of life to listeners, enlightened understanding, and offered healing and change from darkness to light. His healing work drew people to hear the gospel and receive divine principles, bringing mercy, health, life, and joy that prepared hearts to receive the gospel. These earthly blessings helped prepare their hearts and drew them to hear about God's works.
The towns and cities of Galilee where Jesus walked as a poor, unrecognized wayfarer among the needy and suffering were filled with great light by His presence. The people sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of death are the afflicted, needy, and sorrowful, and the light springing up to them is Christ Himself as a messenger of life and peace. Patient and cheerful, He healed the sick, comforted hearts, and diffused life and joy wherever He passed like a vital current. Each miracle testified that He came not to destroy but to save, and each work of healing was an occasion for implanting divine principles and inclining hearts to receive the gospel of grace.
Yet though people in darkness saw great light, the darkness did not comprehend it. Those who do receive that light and receive Christ as Saviour should be joyful and the most happy people, not hesitating over what they give up, for they gain life, eternal life in the kingdom of glory.
Strategic Center for Mission
At the intervals of His journeys Jesus made Capernaum the center of His work. He did much of His work there because travelers constantly passed through the city and many stayed there. Its place on the highway from Damascus to Jerusalem and Egypt and to the Mediterranean Sea made it a great thoroughfare of travel where people from many lands passed through or tarried for rest.
There He could meet all nations and all ranks, the rich and great as well as the poor and lowly. His lessons would thus be carried by travelers to other countries and into many households. Investigation of prophecy would be excited, attention would be directed to Him, and His mission would be brought before the world.
He chose as a missionary field places others did not recognize as especially advantageous. By ministering among people outside His own city in the setting where He called the first disciples, His work there teaches His followers to serve others beyond their familiar communities.
Pattern for Gospel Work
The district named here is where Christ worked after leaving Nazareth to dwell in Capernaum upon the seacoast, in fulfillment of what Isaiah spoke. His methods in this chapter are to be read and followed by all engaged in the Lord's work, making His example the rule for how to work. Coming there to bring the gospel of salvation and to heal suffering humanity, He showed Himself as the world's great Medical Missionary bringing healing and life.
The verse means He went forth into the highways and hedges to labor for those who were ignorant and out of the way. It is the pattern every minister of the gospel will be blessed in following. It calls for earnest, wholehearted labor in the cities everywhere, carrying the message of present truth in simplicity into all the highways, byways, and needy unworked portions of the harvest field. This is to be done rather than making in a few places large expensive centers that absorb means, by instead making centers in many cities where now there is nothing.
It identifies the setting for His work of warning the cities and surrounding regions, going from city to village to teach the truth and heal the sick. After returning to Nazareth from the wilderness temptation and after John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea in this Gentile region where people in darkness saw great light as He taught and healed. In this same setting the last note of warning is to be sounded in all towns and cities such as Redlands, Riverside, and Loma Linda, without a prolonged effort in any one place so that the many who have not yet heard may hear.
After His temptation ended and John was put in prison, Jesus left Nazareth after His rejection there and came to dwell in Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee within Zebulun and Naphtali, called Galilee of the Gentiles. His dwelling and preaching there that the kingdom of heaven was near fulfilled what Isaiah foretold that this region in darkness and the shadow of death would see a great light. That light was Christ Himself and His clear gospel call to repentance, shining through His teaching, preaching and healing to bring life, understanding and joy to the afflicted, needy and sorrowful sitting in moral darkness. He made Capernaum the center of His work because it stood on the great highway from Damascus to Jerusalem, Egypt and the sea, where travelers from many lands passed through, so that all nations and ranks could meet Him and carry His lessons and the investigation of prophecy to other countries and homes. In going outside His own city into the highways and byways to labor for the ignorant and out of the way as the great Medical Missionary, He set the pattern for gospel workers to labor earnestly in cities everywhere and in needy unworked fields rather than building up a few large centers.
Place Identified in Verse
The district named is the territories of Zebulun and Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, called Galilee of the Gentiles, the country around the Sea of Galilee associated with Gentiles. It introduces the setting for what follows, where people in darkness would see great light. Within those borders, upon the seacoast, stood Capernaum, where Jesus came to dwell and began His public work.
The move was a leaving of Nazareth to dwell in Capernaum after His rejection in Nazareth, a going outside His own city. It took place after His temptation in the wilderness was ended, when He returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee and His fame went out through all the region round about. That return brought Him first to Nazareth from the temptation before He settled at Capernaum.
It took place after John was cast into prison, when Jesus heard it and departed into Galilee. After danger in Jerusalem made it unsafe for Him to remain there, He went to Galilee, taught in Capernaum, and drew Sabbath crowds to hear Him.
Prophecy Isaiah Foretold
His dwelling and ministry in that place fulfilled what was spoken by Isaiah concerning this region, that it would see a great light as He began preaching that the kingdom of heaven was near. The land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, identifies the territories around the Sea of Galilee where Jesus came to dwell after His rejection in Nazareth, leaving Nazareth to dwell in Capernaum upon the seacoast within the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. His presence and work there fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy about light coming to people living in darkness and in the region and shadow of death, and its setting introduces the region where people in darkness would see the great light of Christ's message. It belongs to Christ's example of how to work, with His methods in this chapter to be read and followed by all engaged in the Lord's work.
After John was cast into prison Jesus left Nazareth and dwelt in Capernaum on the seacoast in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, in fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. At His first advent the world was in terrible condition with men controlled by satanic agencies over body and mind, and the Majesty of heaven looked in pity on the human race and alone could break Satan's power. So He laid off His kingly crown and royal robe and, clothing His divinity with humanity, came to bring great light to those sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of death, to meet the powers of darkness and hold Satan's forces in check as a counterworking influence from the highest authority.
The naming of Zebulun and Naphtali, by the sea and beyond the Jordan, called Galilee of the Gentiles, marks the setting where crowds gathered to hear Jesus. That gathering fulfilled the prophets' expectation that this region would see the great light described in the following verse.
Light Dawning in Darkness
The district named is home to Gentiles living in darkness and in the region and shadow of death, the people sitting in darkness who would see great light when Christ began His public work there. With the following verse it marks the setting where that light would break upon those under spiritual darkness and the shadow of death, locating the hopeful message of the gospel among them. There Christ, the light of the world, shone amid moral darkness.
The light that shone is the clear presentation of the truths of the Bible and the gospel, heard in His call to repent because the kingdom of heaven was near. It came as He preached the gospel and healed the sick, fulfilling what was spoken about people in darkness seeing great light. Joined to the next verse, the region is thus pictured as a promise of hope for people who sit in darkness and need the truths of the gospel.
The great light shone as Jesus taught, preached, and healed in Galilee, and His teaching, preaching, and healing there opened doors for the gospel. His words brought the light of life to listeners, enlightened understanding, and offered healing and change from darkness to light. His healing work drew people to hear the gospel and receive divine principles, bringing mercy, health, life, and joy that prepared hearts to receive the gospel. These earthly blessings helped prepare their hearts and drew them to hear about God's works.
The towns and cities of Galilee where Jesus walked as a poor, unrecognized wayfarer among the needy and suffering were filled with great light by His presence. The people sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of death are the afflicted, needy, and sorrowful, and the light springing up to them is Christ Himself as a messenger of life and peace. Patient and cheerful, He healed the sick, comforted hearts, and diffused life and joy wherever He passed like a vital current. Each miracle testified that He came not to destroy but to save, and each work of healing was an occasion for implanting divine principles and inclining hearts to receive the gospel of grace.
Yet though people in darkness saw great light, the darkness did not comprehend it. Those who do receive that light and receive Christ as Saviour should be joyful and the most happy people, not hesitating over what they give up, for they gain life, eternal life in the kingdom of glory.
Strategic Center for Mission
At the intervals of His journeys Jesus made Capernaum the center of His work. He did much of His work there because travelers constantly passed through the city and many stayed there. Its place on the highway from Damascus to Jerusalem and Egypt and to the Mediterranean Sea made it a great thoroughfare of travel where people from many lands passed through or tarried for rest.
There He could meet all nations and all ranks, the rich and great as well as the poor and lowly. His lessons would thus be carried by travelers to other countries and into many households. Investigation of prophecy would be excited, attention would be directed to Him, and His mission would be brought before the world.
He chose as a missionary field places others did not recognize as especially advantageous. By ministering among people outside His own city in the setting where He called the first disciples, His work there teaches His followers to serve others beyond their familiar communities.
Pattern for Gospel Work
The district named here is where Christ worked after leaving Nazareth to dwell in Capernaum upon the seacoast, in fulfillment of what Isaiah spoke. His methods in this chapter are to be read and followed by all engaged in the Lord's work, making His example the rule for how to work. Coming there to bring the gospel of salvation and to heal suffering humanity, He showed Himself as the world's great Medical Missionary bringing healing and life.
The verse means He went forth into the highways and hedges to labor for those who were ignorant and out of the way. It is the pattern every minister of the gospel will be blessed in following. It calls for earnest, wholehearted labor in the cities everywhere, carrying the message of present truth in simplicity into all the highways, byways, and needy unworked portions of the harvest field. This is to be done rather than making in a few places large expensive centers that absorb means, by instead making centers in many cities where now there is nothing.
It identifies the setting for His work of warning the cities and surrounding regions, going from city to village to teach the truth and heal the sick. After returning to Nazareth from the wilderness temptation and after John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea in this Gentile region where people in darkness saw great light as He taught and healed. In this same setting the last note of warning is to be sounded in all towns and cities such as Redlands, Riverside, and Loma Linda, without a prolonged effort in any one place so that the many who have not yet heard may hear.