Matthew 4:16
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.
Original Language Analysis
τοῖς
to them which
G3588
τοῖς
to them which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸς
The people
G2992
λαὸς
The people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
2 of 20
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
τοῖς
to them which
G3588
τοῖς
to them which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καθημένοις
sat
G2521
καθημένοις
sat
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
4 of 20
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
σκότει
darkness
G4655
σκότει
darkness
Strong's:
G4655
Word #:
6 of 20
shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)
εἶδε
saw
G1492
εἶδε
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
φῶς
light
G5457
φῶς
light
Strong's:
G5457
Word #:
8 of 20
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
μέγα
great
G3173
μέγα
great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
9 of 20
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
to them which
G3588
τοῖς
to them which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καθημένοις
sat
G2521
καθημένοις
sat
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
12 of 20
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
χώρᾳ
the region
G5561
χώρᾳ
the region
Strong's:
G5561
Word #:
14 of 20
room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σκιᾷ
shadow
G4639
σκιᾷ
shadow
Strong's:
G4639
Word #:
16 of 20
"shade" or a shadow (literally or figuratively (darkness of error or an adumbration))
θανάτου
of death
G2288
θανάτου
of death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
17 of 20
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
φῶς
light
G5457
φῶς
light
Strong's:
G5457
Word #:
18 of 20
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
Cross References
Isaiah 9:2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.Micah 7:8Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.Luke 2:32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.Amos 5:8Seek him that maketh the seven stars 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: The LORD is his name:Job 34:22There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.Job 10:22A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.Job 3:5Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.Psalms 44:19Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
Historical Context
Isaiah 9:1-2's historical context was Assyrian devastation of northern Israel. Yet this judgment became the location where messianic light first shone, demonstrating God's pattern of bringing salvation where judgment fell—law to gospel, death to life, darkness to light.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the imagery of light dawning on those in darkness illustrate God's sovereign initiative in salvation?
- In what ways does Christ as the Light of the World address humanity's fundamental problem of spiritual darkness and death?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Isaiah's imagery of people in darkness seeing 'great light' describes spiritual awakening and salvation. The 'shadow of death' refers to the darkness of sin, judgment, and spiritual death in which all humanity exists apart from Christ. The phrase 'light is sprung up' indicates divine initiative—salvation comes to those in darkness by God's gracious illumination, not human seeking. This anticipates John 1:4-5, 9 describing Christ as the true Light.