Why was Isaiah 9 Important for Defending Jesus’s Galilean Origin?

The Know

The Jews knew there was a prophecy in their sacred writings clearly indicating that the Messiah would come forth out of Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2). Of course, Jesus was born in Bethlehem while his parents were briefly there (see Matthew 2:1), but He spent most of his early life prior to His ministry in Nazareth and the Galilee region (see Matthew 4:13, 21:11). That Jesus appears to have come forth out of Nazareth, and not Bethlehem, was likely one reason Nathaniel doubted He was the Messiah, saying, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Notwithstanding the clear teaching of Micah concerning the Messiah’s relation to Bethlehem, New Testament writers also turned to Isaiah 9 to show that there was at least one text suggesting that the Messiah would indeed be associated with the Galilee region as well.1

In Isaiah 8, the kingdom of Judah is facing the looming threat of the ruthless Assyrian Empire. Isaiah warns that relying on foreign alliances or the occult rather than God will plunge Judah into "gloom and darkness." Isaiah 9 goes on to describe how the Assyrians had already overcome northern Israel (which included the Galilee area) plunging them into darkness;2 nevertheless, God would bring peace and light to the whole nation if they rely on Him: “In the past he [God through the Assyrians] humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan” (Isaiah 9:1, NIV). The text goes on to say, “the people that walked in darkness have seen [prophetic past tense, meaning a future event that is sure to happen] a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isaiah 9:2)—a child born unto them would deliver them (Isaiah 9:6).

In its immediate context, this passage holds out hope to the people of Judah that the conquest of Assyria will stop and that peace and light will return to the land—a likely reference to the peace they will obtain under King Hezekiah. This passage also makes specific reference to the people of Galilee, indicating that even those who had died “in the land of the shadow of death,” would receive light in the form of a Messianic child.3 Matthew applies this prophecy to Jesus and to His Galilean homeland: Matthew 4:13-14 states, “And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet.” He then quotes Isaiah 9:1–2.4

John does something similar, but one may not notice it at first.5 In John 7:52, some people object to the teachings of Jesus: “They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.” This objection attempts to disqualify Jesus from possibly being the Messiah (or even a prophet) because, they assert,  there are no prophecies stating that a significant figure would ever come from the Galilee. However, Jesus responds to this in John 8:12 by stating, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Here, Jesus uses phraseology from Isaiah 9 to indicate that there was indeed a prophecy of an important figure related to Galilee.6 In other words, Jesus himself is that child who would come and give light to the people of Galilee (and also Judah) who were in darkness.7

The Why

For many, life can be dark, and life can sometimes feel hopeless. But John and Matthew’s use of Isaiah 9 remind everyone that even when things are dark and despair is hard to eliminate, that there is still hope and light through Jesus Christ. People who walk in darkness every day can experience the light of Jesus in their lives.

As Elder Timothy J. Dyches has stated, “I testify that Jesus Christ is the everlasting light that ‘shineth in darkness.’ There is no darkness that can ever suppress, extinguish, overpower, or defeat that light. Our Heavenly Father freely offers that light to you. You are never alone. He hears and answers every prayer.”8

He reminds everyone that Jesus has “‘called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.’ When you ask, ‘Father, Father, are You there?” He will always reply, ‘I’m here, child of mine; I’m right here.’ I bear witness that Jesus Christ fulfilled Heavenly Father’s plan as our Savior and our Redeemer; He is our light, our life, and our way. His light will never dim; His glory will never cease; His love for you is eternal.”9