this only, that in Capernaum the [Greek:
hodon thalasses] of the prophecy was found again, and that, therefore,
thence the [Greek: peran tou Iordanou] of the prophecy also could be
better realized, inasmuch as across the lake there was an easy
communication from that place with the country beyond Jordan. The
connection is hence this: After the imprisonment of the Baptist, Jesus,
in order to enter upon His ministry, went to Galilee, and especially to
Capernaum, which was situated on the lake, in order that thus the
prophecy of Isaiah as to the glorification of Galilee, and of the
region on the lake, might be fulfilled.--Matthew has abridged the
passage. From chap. viii. 23 (ix. 1) he has taken the designation of
the part of the country, in order that the agreement of fulfilment and
prophecy might become visible. The words from [Greek: ge--ton ethnon]
may either be regarded as a fragment taken out of its connection,
so that they are viewed as a quotation, and as forming a period by
themselves (this, from a comparison of the original, seems most
natural);--or we may also suppose, that the Evangelist, having
broken-up the connection with the preceding, puts these words into a
new connection, so that, along with the [Greek: ho laos], which has
become an apposition, they form [Pg 80] the subject of the following
sentence. At all events, [Greek: hodon] takes here the place of the
adverb, although it may not be possible to adduce instances and proofs
altogether analogous from the Greek _usus loquendi_.--The confidence
with which Matthew explains chap. viii. 23, and ix. 1 of Christ can be
accounted for only from the circumstance that he recognized Christ as
He who in chap. ix. 5, 6, (6, 7) is described as the author of all the
blessings designated in the preceding verses. It was therefore
altogether erroneous in _Gesenius_ to assert that there was the less
reason for holding the Messianic explanation of chap. ix. 5, 6, as
there was no testimony of the New Testament in favour of it.--It is
quite obvious that Matthew does not quote the Old Testament prophecy in
reference to any single special event which happened at Capernaum; but
that rather the whole following account of the glorious deeds of Christ
in Galilee, as well as in Peraea, down to chap. xix. 1, serves to mark
the fulfilment of this Old Testament prophecy, and is subservient to
this quotation. _This passage of Matthew explains the reason, why it is
that he, and Luke and