Patristic Wisdom: Looking to the Third Sunday after Epiphany

Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: 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.” From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:12–17)

For this is what the evangelist recorded in the present passage out of the prophet’s words: “Beyond the Jordan of the Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” In what darkness? Surely in the profound error of ignorance. What great light did they see? Surely the light concerning which it is written, “He was the true light that illumines every man who comes into this world.” In the gospel, the just man Simeon testified of him and said, “A light you have prepared for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory for your people Israel.” And David had predicted that this light in the darkness would arise at some time, when he said, “A light has arisen in the darkness to the upright of heart.” Also, Isaiah makes clear that this light will come for the illumination of the church, when he says, “Shine, shine, Jerusalem; for your light is near, and the majesty of the Lord has risen in you.” Concerning that light also Daniel related the following: “He reveals the profound and hidden things, knowing those things that are in darkness and the light is with him,” that is, the Son with the Father, for even as the Father is light, so too is the Son light. Hence David also says in the psalm, “In your light shall we see light,” for the Father is seen in the Son, as the Lord himself says in the gospel: “He who sees me, sees also the Father.” For from the true light, the true light proceeded, and from the invisible the visible. For “he is the image of the invisible God,” as the apostle has related.

Concerning this light, then, it is related in the present passage, “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” They see not with bodily observation—for the light is invisible—but with the eyes of faith and with the mind’s vision. This then is what he is saying: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region of the shadow of death, light has dawned.” Therefore not only to those who were in darkness did this light appear, but he says that a light has arisen for those sitting in the region of the shadow of death. This shows that there are some who were sitting in darkness, others who sit established in the region of the shadow of death. And what is this region of the shadow of death, if not the region of the infernal abode? David speaks of it and says, “For even if I walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evils, for you are with me.” Surely he shall not fear evils, that is, the punishments of hell. Therefore a saving light is arising even for those who are sitting in the region of the shadow of death, that is, Christ the Son of God, who says in the gospel, “I am the true light. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness.” After that venerable passion that saves all, he penetrates the region of the infernal abode. Suddenly he introduced the light of his majesty to those stunned souls of the lower world, to free those who were being held among the dead in expectation of his arrival, just as the Lord himself in the person of Wisdom says through Solomon: “I will penetrate all the way to the lower parts of the earth and gaze upon all those who are asleep, and I shall enlighten those who hope in God.”

Chromatius, Tractate on Matthew 15.1–2