12 But having heard that John was delivered up, he departed into Galilee: 13 and having left Nazareth, he went and dwelt at Capernaum, which is on the sea-side in the borders of Zabulon and Nepthalim, 14 that that might be fulfilled which was spoken through Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 Land of Zabulon and land of Nepthalim, way of [the] sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations: 16 —the people sitting in darkness has seen a great light, and to those sitting in [the] country and shadow of death, to them has light sprung up.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 4:12-16
Commentary on Matthew 4:12-17
(Read Matthew 4:12-17)
It is just with God to take the gospel and the means of grace, from those that slight them and thrust them away. Christ will not stay long where he is not welcome. Those who are without Christ, are in the dark. They were sitting in this condition, a contented posture; they chose it rather than light; they were willingly ignorant. When the gospel comes, light comes; when it comes to any place, when it comes to any soul, it makes day there. Light discovers and directs; so does the gospel. The doctrine of repentance is right gospel doctrine. Not only the austere John Baptist, but the gracious Jesus, preached repentance. There is still the same reason to do so. The kingdom of heaven was not reckoned to be fully come, till the pouring out of the Holy Spirit after Christ's ascension.