Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.  In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles by the way of the sea, along the Jordan –  the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

Clearly, this is a prophecy of the arrival of Jesus in human history.  In a land that is dark with sin and shadowed by death, the light will come.  His Name is Jesus.  He will cleanse men from sin and raise the shadow of death.  Then, as now, many will see the Light or Jesus, and, sadly turn and embrace the darkness.