That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

That it might be fulfilled which was said by Isaias the prophet:

in order that these words, spoken through the Prophet Isaiah, might be fulfilled,

So that the word of the prophet Isaiah might come true,

in order to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

in fulfillment of these words in the prophet Isaiah –

That it might be fulfilled - This place is recorded in Isaiah 9:1-2. Matthew has given the sense, but not the very words of the prophet. For the meaning of the passage as employed by Isaiah, see the notes at Isaiah 9:1-2.
By the way of the sea - Which is near to the sea, or in the vicinity of the sea.
Beyond Jordan - This does not mean to the east of Jordan, as the phrase sometimes denotes, but rather in the vicinity of the Jordan, or perhaps in the vicinity of the sources of the Jordan. See Deuteronomy 1:1; Deuteronomy 4:49.
Galilee of the Gentiles - Galilee was divided into upper and lower Galilee. Upper Galilee was called Galilee of the Gentiles, because it was occupied chiefly by Gentiles. It was in the neighborhood of Tyre, Sidon, etc. The word "Gentiles" includes in the Scriptures all who are not Jews. It means the same as nations, or, as we should say, the pagan nations.

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken,.... Christ's dwelling in Capernaum accomplished a prophecy of the prophet Isaiah 9:1 and he went and dwelt there, that it might be fulfilled which he had spoken: the meaning of which prophecy is (x), that as those parts of the land of Israel, there mentioned, had suffered much by Tiglathpileser, who had carried them captive, 2-Kings 15:29 and is "the vexation" referred to; so they should be honoured, and made very glorious, by the presence and conversation of the Messiah among them, and which now had its literal fulfilment: for Christ now came and dwelt in Capernaum, which lay between the lands and upon the borders both of Zabulon and Nephthalim; was situated by the sea of Tiberias, beyond Jordan, and in, "Galilee of the nations"; the upper Galilee, which had in it people of other nations besides Jews. The ancient Jews expected the Messiah to make his first appearance in Galilee; which expectation must be grounded on this prophecy; for so they say (y) expressly,
"the king Messiah shall be revealed , "in the land of Galilee."''
And in another place (z) explaining Isaiah 2:19 they paraphrase it thus,
""for fear of the Lord"; this is the indignation of the whole world: and for the "glory of his majesty"; this is the Messiah; when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth, when he shall arise and be revealed , "in the land of Galilee": because that this is the first place to be destroyed in the holy land; therefore he shall be revealed there the first of all places.''
Here Jesus, the true Messiah, made his first appearance publicly; here he called his disciples, and began his ministry.
(x) See my treatise upon the "Prophecies of the Messiah", &c. p. 147, &c. (y) Zohar in Genesis. fol. 74. 3. (z) Ib. in Exod. fol. 3. 3. & 88. 3.

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet-- (Isaiah 9:1-2 or, as in Hebrew, Isaiah 8:23, and Isaiah 9:1).
saying--as follows:

That it might be fulfilled. Matthew's way of saying: "Thus was fulfilled." The passage quoted is found in Isaiah 9:1-2.