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The Promise of a Prince of PeaceIsaiah’s Prophecy—Light for All Mankind I
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[Picture on page 127]
Jesus was a light in the land
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The Promise of a Prince of PeaceIsaiah’s Prophecy—Light for All Mankind I
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the people sitting in darkness saw a great light, and as for those sitting in a region of deathly shadow, light rose upon them.’”—Matthew 4:13-16.
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The Promise of a Prince of PeaceIsaiah’s Prophecy—Light for All Mankind I
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The “Great Light”
17. How does “a great light” shine in Galilee?
17 What, though, of Matthew’s mention of “a great light” in Galilee? This too was a quotation from Isaiah’s prophecy. Isaiah wrote: “The people that were walking in the darkness have seen a great light. As for those dwelling in the land of deep shadow, light itself has shone upon them.” (Isaiah 9:2) By the first century C.E., the light of truth had been hidden by pagan falsehoods. Jewish religious leaders had compounded the problem by holding to their religious tradition with which they had “made the word of God invalid.” (Matthew 15:6) Humble ones were oppressed and bewildered, following “blind guides.” (Matthew 23:2-4, 16) When Jesus the Messiah appeared, the eyes of many humble people were opened in a wondrous way. (John 1:9, 12) Jesus’ work while on earth and the blessings resulting from his sacrifice are aptly characterized in Isaiah’s prophecy as “a great light.”—John 8:12.
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