Matthew 4:16
New International Version
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.”

New Living Translation
the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”

English Standard Version
the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

Berean Literal Bible
the people sitting in darkness have seen a great light, and to those sitting in the land and shadow of death, a light has dawned on them."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”

New American Standard Bible
THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.”

NASB 1995
“THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.”

NASB 1977
“THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND TO THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.”

Legacy Standard Bible
THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.”

Amplified Bible
THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING (living) IN [spiritual] DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT, AND FOR THOSE WHO WERE SITTING (living) IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF [spiritual and moral] DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT HAS DAWNED.”

Christian Standard Bible
The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death, light has dawned.

American Standard Version
The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up.

Contemporary English Version
Although your people live in darkness, they will see a bright light. Although they live in the shadow of death, a light will shine on them."

English Revised Version
The people which sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The people who lived in darkness have seen a bright light. A light has risen for those who live in a land overshadowed by death."

Good News Translation
The people who live in darkness will see a great light. On those who live in the dark land of death the light will shine."

International Standard Version
The people living in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the land and shadow of death, a light has risen."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, and on those who sit in the region and shadow of death a light has dawned."

New Heart English Bible
the people sitting in darkness have seen a great light, and those living in the land and shadow of death, to them light has dawned."

Webster's Bible Translation
The people who sat in darkness, saw great light; and to them who sat in the region and shades of death, light hath arisen.

Weymouth New Testament
The people who were dwelling in darkness have seen a brilliant light; and on those who were dwelling in the region of the shadow of death, on them light has dawned."

World English Bible
the people who sat in darkness saw a great light; to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The people that is sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those sitting in a region and shadow of death—light arose to them.”

Berean Literal Bible
the people sitting in darkness have seen a great light, and to those sitting in the land and shadow of death, a light has dawned on them."

Young's Literal Translation
the people that is sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those sitting in a region and shadow of death -- light arose to them.'

Smith's Literal Translation
The people sitting in darkness saw a great light; and to them sitting in the room and shadow of death, light has sprung up to them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The people that sat in darkness, hath seen great light: and to them that sat in the region of the shadow of death, light is sprung up.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A people who were sitting in darkness have seen a great light. And unto those sitting in the region of the shadow of death, a light has risen.”

New American Bible
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.”

New Revised Standard Version
the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The people who dwelt in darkness saw a great light, and those who settled in the country and in the midst of the shadows of death, light shone on them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“The people who sat in the darkness have seen The Great Light, and those who were sitting in the region and in the shadow of death, to them The Light has dawned.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
the people that sat in darkness saw great light; and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has risen.

Godbey New Testament
the people sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those sitting in the valley and shadow of death, light sprang up.

Haweis New Testament
the people who sat in darkness saw a great light; and on those who sat in the region and shadow of death, even on them hath the light arisen.”

Mace New Testament
the people which sat in darkness, saw a great light: and to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up."

Weymouth New Testament
The people who were dwelling in darkness have seen a brilliant light; and on those who were dwelling in the region of the shadow of death, on them light has dawned."

Worrell New Testament
The people that were sitting in darkness saw a great Light; and to those sitting in a region and shadow of death Light arose."

Worsley New Testament
about Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles, the people that sat in darkness, saw a great light, and to them, who sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up."

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Begins His Ministry
15“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” 17From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”…

Cross References
Isaiah 9:2
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.

John 1:4-5
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Luke 1:78-79
because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, / to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Isaiah 42:6-7
“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, / to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. / Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Psalm 107:10-14
Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains, / because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. / He humbled their hearts with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. ...

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Malachi 4:2
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

which sat in darkness.

Psalm 107:10-14
Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; …

Isaiah 42:6,7
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; …

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee…

shadow.

Job 3:5
Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.

Job 10:22
A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.

Job 34:22
There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

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Arisen Brilliant Country Darkness Dawn Dawned Death Dwelling Great Light Region Sat Shade Shades Shadow Sitting Spring Sprung
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Arisen Brilliant Country Darkness Dawn Dawned Death Dwelling Great Light Region Sat Shade Shades Shadow Sitting Spring Sprung
Matthew 4
1. Jesus, fasting forty days,
3. is tempted by the devil and ministered unto by angels.
12. He dwells in Capernaum;
17. begins to preach;
18. calls Peter and Andrew,
21. James and John;
23. teaches and heals all the diseased.














The people
This phrase refers to the collective group of individuals who are the recipients of the prophecy. In the context of Matthew 4:16, "the people" are the inhabitants of the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, as well as the broader audience of Israel. Historically, these tribes were part of the Northern Kingdom, which had experienced significant turmoil and darkness due to invasions and exile. The Greek word used here is "ὁ λαός" (ho laos), which often denotes a specific group of people, particularly the chosen people of God, Israel. This highlights the fulfillment of prophecy and the continuity of God's plan for His people.

living in darkness
This phrase metaphorically describes the spiritual and moral state of the people. "Darkness" in the Bible often symbolizes ignorance, sin, and separation from God. The Greek word "σκοτία" (skotia) is used here, which can mean both physical darkness and a lack of spiritual enlightenment. Historically, this darkness can be seen as the period of silence and oppression before the coming of Christ, where the people were without prophetic guidance and under Roman rule. This sets the stage for the coming of Jesus as the light of the world, bringing hope and salvation.

have seen a great light
This phrase signifies the revelation and presence of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The "great light" is a metaphor for Jesus, who brings truth, guidance, and salvation. The Greek word for "light" is "φῶς" (phōs), which is often used in the New Testament to describe the divine truth and presence of God. This imagery is rooted in Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 9:2, which foretold the coming of a savior who would bring light to those in darkness. The fulfillment of this prophecy in Christ is a testament to God's faithfulness and the transformative power of His presence.

and on those
This phrase emphasizes the inclusivity of the message and the reach of Christ's light. It indicates that the light is not limited to a specific group but extends to all who are in darkness. The Greek word "καί" (kai) is a conjunction that connects the previous thought to this one, showing the continuation and expansion of the light's impact. This highlights the universal nature of Christ's mission and the hope offered to all humanity.

dwelling in the land of the shadow of death
This phrase paints a vivid picture of the dire situation faced by the people. The "land of the shadow of death" is a poetic expression found in the Hebrew Scriptures, notably in Psalm 23:4, symbolizing a place of deep despair and danger. The Greek word "σκιᾷ" (skia) means shadow, and "θανάτου" (thanatou) means death, together conveying a sense of looming peril and hopelessness. This context underscores the desperate need for divine intervention and the profound impact of Christ's coming as a source of life and hope.

a light has dawned
This phrase concludes the verse with a powerful image of new beginnings and hope. The "light" is again a reference to Jesus, whose arrival marks the start of a new era of grace and truth. The Greek word "ἀνέτειλεν" (aneteilen) means "has dawned," suggesting the breaking of a new day and the dispelling of darkness. This imagery is rich with eschatological significance, pointing to the inauguration of the Kingdom of God through Christ. It serves as an invitation to embrace the light and life offered by Jesus, transforming the lives of those who receive Him.

Verse 16. - The people which sat; "who walk" (Hebrew). Saw great light; saw a great light (Revised Version); unnecessarily except as a matter of English, for it can hardly mean a definite light, Messiah. Φῶς both here and in the next clause means light as such. And to them which sat. So the Hebrew, but the LXX. generally οἱ κατοικοῦντες. In the region and shadow of death. The region where death abides, and where it casts its thickest shade. The Hebrew is simply "in the land of the shadow of death" (בארצ צלמות, according to the traditional interpretation), which the present LXX. (Vatican) probably represents (ἐν χώρᾳ σκιᾷ θανάτου) , the ς of σκιᾶς having been misread before θ. But copyists, not understanding this, inserted καὶ between χώρᾳ and σκιᾷ (as in A), and this reading became popularly known, and was used by the evangelist. That the reading of A was derived from the evangelist is unlikely, for the reading σκιᾷ must, at all events, have been before his time. Light is sprung up; to them, did light spring up (Revised Version); ἀνέτειλεν. The tense emphasizes not the abiding effect (e.g. in the fact that so many of the disciples were Galilaeans), but the moment of his appearance. The father of the Baptist also remembered this passage of Isaiah (Luke 1:78, 79, where cf. Godet).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

people
λαὸς (laos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.

living
καθήμενος (kathēmenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2521: To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

darkness
σκοτίᾳ (skotia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4653: Darkness; fig: spiritual darkness. From skotos; dimness, obscurity.

have seen
εἶδεν (eiden)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

[a] great
μέγα (mega)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

light;
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.

on those
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

living
καθημένοις (kathēmenois)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2521: To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.

in [the]
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

land
χώρᾳ (chōra)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5561: Feminine of a derivative of the base of chasma through the idea of empty expanse; room, i.e. A space of territory.

[of the] shadow
σκιᾷ (skia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4639: Apparently a primary word; 'shade' or a shadow (darkness of error or an adumbration).

of death,
θανάτου (thanatou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2288: Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.

a light
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.

has dawned.”
ἀνέτειλεν (aneteilen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 393: To make to rise, I rise, shine (generally of the sun, and hence met.). From ana and the base of telos; to arise.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 4:16 The people who sat in darkness saw (Matt. Mat Mt)
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