Matthew 4:13

And leaving Nazareth] He went, as was natural, first to Nazareth, but on account of His unfavourable reception there (Luke 4:16), migrated to Capernaum, which is on the NW. coast of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum is generally identified with the modern Tell Hum. It is in the tribe of Naphtali, but the borders of Zebulun are near. Capernaum was a busy place. Two caravan routes passed through the town. It had a custom-house, and a Roman garrison.

14. The quotation (from Isaiah 9:1) is, in view of Christ's ministry in Galilee, a singularly apt one, even according to modern ideas. Isaiah prophesies that the northern parts of Israel which have suffered most from the incursions of the Syrians and the Assyrians (2 Kings 15:29) will be the first to be restored to prosperity by the Messiah, who will win a great victory in these regions over the enemies of Israel, and establish an eternal kingdom. The quotation is made from memory, and reproduces the original somewhat freely.

15. By the way of the sea] RV 'towards the sea,' i.e. the Sea of Galilee. Beyond Jordan] must be taken to mean 'also the district beyond Jordan.' The other side of the lake was easily reached by boat, and was more than once visited by Jesus (Matthew 8:23; Matthew 14:13). The district S. of this, E. of the Jordan, was called Peræa, and was the scene of the last stages of our Lord's ministry (John 10:40). Galilee of the Gentiles] In Isaiah the expression means 'district of the Gentiles,' and refers not to the whole of Galilee, but to its northern borders, which were largely inhabited by Gentiles.

16. The darkness means in Isaiah the despair caused by the ravages of the Assyrians; in St. Matthew the spiritual darkness which Jesus came to dispel.

17. The kingdom of heaven] see on Matthew 3:2.