Notes on Darkness and Light
In Matthew 4:16
the people have been separated from God. It
describes them as living in darkness. In this
context Darkness is a metaphor for separation
from God. The concept is repeated in the same
line where it says, "those living in the
land of the shadow of death." Again the
"shadow of death" is referring to the
separation from God. But twice it refers to a
light. In both the light is Jesus. As light
conquers darkness Jesus is our (only) way to
overcome our separation from God.
When Jesus gave us Matthew
4:16 he was harkening back to Isaiah 9:1 - 2.
Isaiah 9:1 - 2.
- The people walking in darkness have seen
a great light; on those living in the
land of the shadow of death a light has
dawned.
Matthew 4:16
- the people living in darkness have seen a
great light; on those living in the land
of the shadow of death a light has
dawned."
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References in
Scripture
Isaiah
9:1 - 2
Matthew 4:16
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Isaiah 9:1 - 2
1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those
who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of
Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he
will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the
sea, along the Jordan--
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great
light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
Matthew 4:16
16 the people living in darkness have seen a great
light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."
To Understand my faith
better I have decided to construct these pages.
They are strictly educational, non-commercial and
to foster scholarly discussion. All Bible quotes
are from the New International Version unless
otherwise stated. I use the NIV because while not
a perfect translation, certainly the best
available. All mistakes are my own and if you
differ from my thoughts I welcome your comments. J. Barry O'Connell
Jr.
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