Matthew 4:14-17
Saw a great light ( φως ειδεν μεγα ). Matthew quotes Isa 9:1f., and applies the words about the deliverer from Assyria to the Messiah. "The same district lay in spiritual darkness and death and the new era dawned when Christ went thither" (McNeile). Light sprang up from those who were sitting in the region and shadow of death ( εν χορα κα σκια θανατου ). Death is personified.Began Jesus to preach ( ηρξατο ο Ιησους κηρυσσειν ). In Galilee. He had been preaching for over a year already elsewhere. His message carries on the words of the Baptist about "repentance" and the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 3:2) being at hand. The same word for "preaching" ( κηρυσσειν ) from κηρυξ, herald, is used of Jesus as of John. Both proclaimed the good news of the kingdom. Jesus is more usually described as the Teacher, ( ο διδασκαλος ) who taught ( εδιδασκεν ) the people. He was both herald and teacher as every preacher should be.
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