Matthew 4:15 Meaning and Explanation
“The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Isaiah names the very region Jesus enters, a borderland called Galilee of the Gentiles.
What Does Matthew 4:15 Mean?
The quotation from Isaiah names the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali, the road by the sea, the country across the Jordan, and "Galilee of the Gentiles." This was a mixed and often overlooked frontier, far from the religious center in Jerusalem, where Israelite and foreign peoples lived side by side. It was the kind of place easy to dismiss.
That the prophet singles out this borderland is striking. The light is promised not first to the proud heart of the nation but to a region on the edges, among ordinary and mingled peoples. Already the breadth of God's reach is hinted at -- a salvation that will not stay confined, but will shine toward the far and the forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 4:15
What does Matthew 4:15 mean?
Isaiah names the very region Jesus enters, a borderland called Galilee of the Gentiles.