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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 4:15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/4-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/40_Mat_04_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 4:15 - Jesus Begins His Ministry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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<a href="/nkjv/matthew/4.htm">New King James Version</a> “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: <a href="/nasb_/matthew/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES— <a href="/nasb/matthew/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES— <a href="/nasb77/matthew/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES— <a href="/lsb/matthew/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES— <a href="/amp/matthew/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE [in the district] OF THE GENTILES— <a href="/csb/matthew/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, along the road by the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, along the sea road, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles! <a href="/asv/matthew/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, <a href="/cev/matthew/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Listen, lands of Zebulun and Naphtali, lands along the road to the sea and across the Jordan. Listen Galilee, land of the Gentiles! <a href="/erv/matthew/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, <a href="/gwt/matthew/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, on the way to the sea, across the Jordan River, Galilee, where foreigners live! <a href="/gnt/matthew/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, on the road to the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee, land of the Gentiles! <a href="/isv/matthew/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> "O Land of Zebulun and Land of Naphtali, on the road to the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the unbelievers! <a href="/msb/matthew/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles? <a href="/net/matthew/4.htm">NET Bible</a> "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way by the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- <a href="/nheb/matthew/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations, <a href="/wbt/matthew/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: <a href="/wey/matthew/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Zebulun's land and Naphtali's land; the road by the Lake; the country beyond the Jordan; Galilee of the Nations! <a href="/web/matthew/4.htm">World English Bible</a> “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations! <a href="/blb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- <a href="/ylt/matthew/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations! -- <a href="/slt/matthew/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, the way of the sea beyond Jordan, Galilee of the nations:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Land of Zabulon and land of Nephthalim, the way of the sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: <a href="/cpdv/matthew/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: <a href="/nabre/matthew/4.htm">New American Bible</a> “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> O land of Zabulon, O land of Napthali, the way to the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles! <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “The land of Zebulon, the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, the crossings of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> The land of Zebulon, and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; <a href="/godbey/matthew/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Thou land Zabulon and land Naphtali, way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, <a href="/haweis/matthew/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> ?The land of Zabulun, and the land of Naphthali, the road to the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; <a href="/mace/matthew/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and the land of Nephthalim, lying upon the sea, and about Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: <a href="/wey/matthew/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Zebulun's land and Naphtali's land; the road by the Lake; the country beyond the Jordan; Galilee of the Nations! <a href="/worrell/matthew/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> "Land of Zebulon and land of Naphtali, by way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations: <a href="/worsley/matthew/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, <a href="/parallel/matthew/4-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=714" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/4.htm">Jesus Begins His Ministry</a> …14to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 15<a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: Gē (N-NFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">“Land</a> <a href="/greek/2194.htm" title="2194: Zaboulōn (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Zabulon, a region of Palestine.">of Zebulun</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gē (N-NFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">land</a> <a href="/greek/3508.htm" title="3508: Nephthalim (N-GMS) -- Naphtali, son of Jacob, founder of a tribe which occupied territory. Of Hebrew origin; Nephthaleim, a tribe in Palestine.">of Naphtali,</a> <a href="/greek/3598.htm" title="3598: hodon (N-AFS) -- A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.">the Way</a> <a href="/greek/2281.htm" title="2281: thalassēs (N-GFS) -- Probably prolonged from hals; the sea.">of the Sea,</a> <a href="/greek/4008.htm" title="4008: peran (Prep) -- Over, on the other side, beyond. Apparently accusative case of an obsolete derivative of peiro; through, i.e. Across.">beyond</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2446.htm" title="2446: Iordanou (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; the Jordanes, a river of Palestine.">Jordan,</a> <a href="/greek/1056.htm" title="1056: Galilaia (N-NFS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Galiloea, a region of Palestine.">Galilee</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/1484.htm" title="1484: ethnōn (N-GNP) -- Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.">Gentiles—</a> 16the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/9-1.htm">Isaiah 9:1-2</a> Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations: / The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. <a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4-5</a> In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. <a href="/luke/2-32.htm">Luke 2:32</a> a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” <a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a> Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” <a href="/acts/26-23.htm">Acts 26:23</a> that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.” <a href="/isaiah/42-6.htm">Isaiah 42:6-7</a> “I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, / to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house. <a href="/isaiah/60-1.htm">Isaiah 60:1-3</a> Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. / Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. <a href="/2_corinthians/4-6.htm">2 Corinthians 4:6</a> For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. <a href="/john/12-46.htm">John 12:46</a> I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness. <a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Ephesians 5:8</a> For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a> But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. <a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a> He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” <a href="/matthew/12-18.htm">Matthew 12:18-21</a> “Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. / He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory. ... <a href="/luke/1-78.htm">Luke 1:78-79</a> because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, / to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” <a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-21</a> And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. / But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;Galilee.<a href="/joshua/20-7.htm">Joshua 20:7</a> And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.<a href="/joshua/21-32.htm">Joshua 21:32</a> And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.<a href="/1_kings/9-11.htm">1 Kings 9:11</a> (Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Country</a> <a href="/matthew/4-12.htm">Galilee</a> <a href="/malachi/1-11.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/job/14-11.htm">Lake</a> <a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Naphtali</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-34.htm">Naph'tali</a> <a href="/malachi/3-12.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Nephthalim</a> <a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Nepthalim</a> <a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Road</a> <a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/matthew/3-15.htm">Way</a> <a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Zabulon</a> <a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Zebulun</a> <a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Zeb'ulun</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/4-16.htm">Country</a> <a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">Galilee</a> <a href="/matthew/5-47.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/matthew/4-25.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">Lake</a> <a href="/revelation/7-6.htm">Naphtali</a> <a href="/revelation/7-6.htm">Naph'tali</a> <a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/revelation/7-6.htm">Nephthalim</a> <a href="/revelation/7-6.htm">Nepthalim</a> <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Road</a> <a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/matthew/5-12.htm">Way</a> <a href="/revelation/7-8.htm">Zabulon</a> <a href="/revelation/7-8.htm">Zebulun</a> <a href="/revelation/7-8.htm">Zeb'ulun</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 4</div>1. <a href="/matthew/4-1.htm">Jesus, fasting forty days, </a> 3. <a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">is tempted by the devil and ministered unto by angels.</a> 12. <a href="/matthew/4-12.htm">He dwells in Capernaum;</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">begins to preach;</a> 18. <a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">calls Peter and Andrew,</a> 21. <a href="/matthew/4-21.htm">James and John;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">teaches and heals all the diseased.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Zebulun and Naphtali were sons of Jacob and Leah's maidservant, Bilhah. Historically, these areas were among the first to fall to the Assyrian invasion in 732 BC, leading to a mix of populations and cultures. This prophecy from <a href="/isaiah/9.htm">Isaiah 9:1-2</a> highlights the significance of these lands in the coming of the Messiah, as they were seen as places of darkness that would see a great light.The Way of the Sea This phrase refers to an ancient trade route known as the Via Maris, which connected Egypt to Mesopotamia, passing through the land of Israel. It was a major thoroughfare for commerce and communication, making it a strategic location for the spread of news and ideas. The mention of this route underscores the accessibility and influence of the region, setting the stage for the widespread impact of Jesus' ministry.Beyond the Jordan This indicates the area east of the Jordan River, which was part of the territory given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. It was a region that had significant interactions with Gentile populations, reflecting the broader mission of Jesus to reach beyond the Jewish people. This phrase emphasizes the geographical and cultural diversity of the area where Jesus began His ministry.Galilee of the Gentiles Galilee was a region in northern Israel known for its mixed population of Jews and Gentiles. The term "Galilee of the Gentiles" highlights the presence and influence of non-Jewish people in the area. This setting is significant because it foreshadows the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry, which would extend salvation to all nations. The prophecy from <a href="/isaiah/9.htm">Isaiah 9:1-2</a> is fulfilled as Jesus, the light of the world, begins His ministry in a place characterized by spiritual darkness and diversity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/z/zebulun_and_naphtali.htm">Zebulun and Naphtali</a> These were two of the twelve tribes of Israel, whose territories were located in the northern part of the Promised Land. Historically, these areas were among the first to fall to foreign invaders due to their geographical location. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_way_to_the_sea.htm">The Way to the Sea</a> This phrase refers to a major trade route that connected the Mediterranean Sea to the interior lands, passing through the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali. 3. <a href="/topical/b/beyond_the_jordan.htm">Beyond the Jordan</a> This indicates the area east of the Jordan River, which was significant in Israel's history as a boundary and a place of transition. 4. <a href="/topical/g/galilee_of_the_gentiles.htm">Galilee of the Gentiles</a> Galilee was a region in northern Israel known for its mixed population of Jews and Gentiles. This diversity often led to cultural and religious exchanges, making it a unique area in Israel. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_prophecy_fulfilled.htm">The Prophecy Fulfilled</a> This verse is a fulfillment of the prophecy found in <a href="/isaiah/9.htm">Isaiah 9:1-2</a>, which speaks of a great light coming to the people living in darkness, symbolizing the coming of the Messiah.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">Fulfillment of Prophecy</a> Jesus' ministry in Galilee fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promises. This encourages believers to trust in God's Word and His timing. <a href="/topical/l/light_in_darkness.htm">Light in Darkness</a> Just as Jesus brought light to Galilee, He brings light to our lives. Believers are called to reflect His light in a world that often feels dark and hopeless. <a href="/topical/i/inclusivity_of_the_gospel.htm">Inclusivity of the Gospel</a> The reference to "Galilee of the Gentiles" highlights the inclusive nature of Jesus' mission. The Gospel is for all people, regardless of their background or ethnicity. <a href="/topical/s/strategic_ministry.htm">Strategic Ministry</a> Jesus' choice to begin His ministry in a culturally diverse area shows the importance of reaching out to those who are different from us. Believers are encouraged to engage with diverse communities. <a href="/topical/h/hope_for_the_marginalized.htm">Hope for the Marginalized</a> The regions of Zebulun and Naphtali were often marginalized, yet they were the first to see the light of Christ. This teaches us that God values and seeks out those who are often overlooked.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 4</a> <a href="/q/who_were_the_galileans_in_the_bible.htm">Who were the Galileans in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_perea's_biblical_significance.htm">What is Perea's biblical significance?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_sea_of_galilee_story's_meaning.htm">What is the significance of the Sea of Galilee story?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_4,000_near_galilee.htm">Do any historical records or archaeological findings corroborate the gathering of 4,000 people near the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 15:32-38)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15-16) The citation is remarkable as the only reference in the New Testament to what seems to us the most wonderful and majestic of all Messianic prophecies; and still more remarkable as dwelling, not on the words so familiar to us, "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given . . . ," but on the merely local imagery which is a prelude to that great utterance, and on that, in a version which is neither a true rendering of the Hebrew, nor a correct citation from the received Greek version. We have to recognise the fact that the Evangelist did not study prophecy as we study it. Books were scarce, and the publican of Capernaum, though his occupation implied some clerkly knowledge, probably had few, and heard rather than read the Scriptures which he quotes. What strikes a man who learns in this way is the coincidence of single words and phrases with familiar facts. He speaks not of what has been written, but of what has been spoken. He is not careful about the context. When St. Matthew looked back on the change that had come over Capernaum in the arrival of the prophet of Nazareth--a change extending to his own life--these words seemed the only adequate description of it. Here was the very scene of which Isaiah had spoken, the old border country of Zebulon and of Naphthali. To him and to others who had been in the darkness of spiritual ignorance, neglected and uncared for, as sheep gone astray in the dark valley of death, there had sprung up a marvellous Light. Unconsciously he adds his testimony to that of St. John, that the presence of Jesus was felt to be that of the "true Light" that "lighteth every man" (<a href="/john/1-9.htm" title="That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.">John 1:9</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - The land of Zabulon, etc. From <a href="/isaiah/9-1.htm">Isaiah 9:1, 2</a>, spoiled in the Authorized Version, but rendered correctly in the Revised Version. Isaiah says that those parts of the land which had borne the first brunt of the Assyrian invasions under Tiglath-Pileser (<a href="/2_kings/15-29.htm">2 Kings 15:29</a>; el. <a href="/zechariah/10-10.htm">Zechariah 10:10</a>), shall be proportionately glorified by the advent of Messiah. Wetstein gives a tradition from the 'Pesikt. Zut.,' of Messiah ben Joseph first appearing in Galilee; but the whole passage (quoted in Dalman's 'Der Leidende und der Sterbende Messias,' pp. 10-13) clearly points to a knowledge of the New Testament. As to the form of the quotation, observe: (1) Matthew disregards the Hebrew construction, and gives merely the general sense. (2) He takes it from the Hebrew, not the LXX. (3) This last point is doubtless to be connected with the fact that the quotation does not occur in the other Gospels, i.e. that it did not belong to the Petrine cycle of teaching, and if it did belong to the "Matthean" cycle, not to that form which was current among Gentile Christians (cf. A. Wright, 'Composition of the Four Gospels.' p. 104). Zabulon and... Nephthalim, equivalent to the later Upper and Lower Galilee. By the way of the sea; toward the sea (Revised Version); cf. <a href="/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18</a>; "i.e. the district on the W. of the Sea of Galilee, as opposed to 'the other side of Jordan,' and 'the circle of the nations,' i.e. the frontier districts nearest to Phoenicia, including 'the land of Cabul' (<a href="/1_kings/9-11.htm">1 Kings 9:11-13</a>), which formed part of the later Upper Galilee. Via Marls, M. Renan observes, was the name of the high road from Acre to Damascus, as late as the Crusades. 'Way,' however, here means 'region' (cf. <a href="/isaiah/58-12.htm">Isaiah 58:12</a>; <a href="/job/24-4.htm">Job 24:4</a>)" (Cheyne, on <a href="/isaiah/9-1.htm">Isaiah 9:1</a>). Yet hardly so; ὁδόν, is adverbial, <a href="/1_kings/8-48.htm">1 Kings 8:48</a> (equivalent to <a href="/2_chronicles/6-38.htm">2 Chronicles 6:38</a>), and designates the stretching of the districts of Zebulun and Naphtali towards the sea. The sea is the Sea of Galilee. The close union of this clause in the Authorized Version with the following words, "beyond Jordan," misses its true meaning as explanatory of the position of Zebulun and Naphtali, and rather takes it as describing some special locality east of Jordan. Beyond Jordan; i.e. the eastern side, mentioned in <a href="/2_kings/15-29.htm">2 Kings 15:29</a> as having suffered with Naphtali under the Assyrian invasion; see further ver. 25. Galilee of the Gentiles (vide supra, "by the way of the sea"). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/4-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“Land Γῆ (Gē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. of Zebulun Ζαβουλὼν (Zaboulōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2194.htm">Strong's 2194: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Zabulon, a region of Palestine. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. land γῆ (gē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. of Naphtali, Νεφθαλίμ (Nephthalim) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3508.htm">Strong's 3508: </a> Naphtali, son of Jacob, founder of a tribe which occupied territory. Of Hebrew origin; Nephthaleim, a tribe in Palestine. [the] way ὁδὸν (hodon) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3598.htm">Strong's 3598: </a> A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means. to [the] sea, θαλάσσης (thalassēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2281.htm">Strong's 2281: </a> Probably prolonged from hals; the sea. beyond πέραν (peran) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4008.htm">Strong's 4008: </a> Over, on the other side, beyond. Apparently accusative case of an obsolete derivative of peiro; through, i.e. Across. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Jordan, Ἰορδάνου (Iordanou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2446.htm">Strong's 2446: </a> Of Hebrew origin; the Jordanes, a river of Palestine. Galilee Γαλιλαία (Galilaia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1056.htm">Strong's 1056: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Galiloea, a region of Palestine. of the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Gentiles— ἐθνῶν (ethnōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1484.htm">Strong's 1484: </a> Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/4-15.htm">Matthew 4:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/4-15.htm">Matthew 4:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/4-15.htm">Matthew 4:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/4-15.htm">Matthew 4:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/4-15.htm">Matthew 4:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/4-15.htm">Matthew 4:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/4-15.htm">Matthew 4:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/4-15.htm">Matthew 4:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/4-15.htm">Matthew 4:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/4-15.htm">Matthew 4:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/4-15.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 4:15 The land of Zebulun and the land (Matt. 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