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.
Ver. 16. The people which sat in darkness saw a great light] For the day-spring from on high visited them, the bright Sun of righteousness (which had all Palestine for his zodiac, the twelve tribes for his signs) stayed longest in Zabulon and Nephthalim, Luke 1:2; Malachi 4:2; and (St Jerome observeth) as these two tribes were first carried into captivity, and seemed farthest from heaven, as bordering on the Gentiles, and in many things symbolizing with them, having learned their manners; so redemption was first preached in these countries. Physicians are of most use where diseases abound. The prophets in Elisha's days planted at Bethel. There was at once the golden calf of Jeroboam and the school of God.
Sat in darkness, and in the region and shadow of death] Note here that a state of darkness is a state of death. This is condemnation, this is hell above ground and beforehand, that "light is come into the world, and men love darkness better than light," John 3:36. Ut liberius peccent libenter ignorant. (Bernard.) Now surely they shall one day have enough of their so much desired darkness, Proverbs 14:14. They know not the light, saith Job. Job 24:13 They hate it, saith our Saviour, John 3:20. They spurn and scorn at it, saith Solomon,Proverbs 1:22; therefore shall they be filled in their own ways, while they are cast into utter darkness, a darkness beyond a darkness (σκοτος εξωτερον), as it were a dungeon beyond a prison, where they shall never see light again, till they be enlightened with that universal fire of the last day to their everlasting amazement, 2 Thessalonians 1:8 .
Light is sprung up] He brought them "out of darkness into his marvellous light." So he did the Samaritans by Philip's preaching and miracles, whereupon there was great joy in that city, 1 Peter 2:9; Acts 8:8. So by the ministry of Farel, Viret, Calvin, and others, he drew the Genevans out of the dark midnight of damned Popery; in a thankful remembrance whereof they coined new money, with this inscription on the one side, Post tenebras lux, After darkness light. (Their posy then had been, Post tenebras spero lucem, taken out of Job.) And on the other side, Deus noster pugnat pro nobis, Our God fighteth for us. (Scultet. Annal.)