Devine Scripture

Matthew 4:16

What does Matthew 4:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 4:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 4:16 means

Continuing the prophecy from Isaiah 9:1-2, this verse declares that the people living in these previously described regions, who were metaphorically "sitting in darkness" and in the "shadow of death," would experience a profound spiritual awakening. A "great light" would dawn upon them, signifying the arrival of God's truth and salvation through Jesus Christ. This highlights Jesus' mission to bring hope to the spiritually downtrodden.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The people who were in the dark saw a great light, and to those in the land of the shade of death did the dawn come up.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

the people that is sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those sitting in a region and shadow of death--light arose to them.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The people that sat in darkness, hath seen great light: and to them that sat in the region of the shadow of death, light is sprung up.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

— the people sitting in darkness has seen a great light, and to those sitting in [the] country and shadow of death, to them has light sprung up.

Context

This verse concludes the prophetic quotation begun in the previous verse, revealing the glorious outcome for the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali. It explains *what* will happen now that Jesus has begun His ministry there. This fulfillment of prophecy serves as a powerful introduction to the substance of Jesus' teaching and preaching that immediately follows, providing divine context for His message.

v.15The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,

v.16This passage

v.17From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 2:32

    A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.

  • Amos 5:8

    seek him that maketh the Pleiades and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night; that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth (Jehovah is his name);

  • Luke 1:78

    Because of the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the dayspring from on high shall visit us,

  • Job 3:5

    Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own; Let a cloud dwell upon it; Let all that maketh black the day terrify it.

  • Job 10:22

    The land dark as midnight, The landof the shadow of death, without any order, And where the light is as midnight.

  • Isaiah 42:6

    I, Jehovah, have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

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