New Testament Notes

I have included the 2^nd chapter of Matthew from the New Testament commentary I had started in the fall of 2012. At the time of this printing, I have completed the first 10 chapters in Matthew.

Matthew 2

   Christ’s early years

1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

   There came wise men; These men were likely very learned in the regions of religion and/or astronomy, and obviously were familiar with the prophecy of Christ’s coming, therefore having seen His star they were set on finding and worshipping this long-awaited Messiah. (Notice, it was strangers, and not neighbors or family that first came to worship Christ. Thus the phrase” His own received Him not.”)

From the east; These men were from, either Persia or Arabia. (both countries were well known for their many learned men.) These men could have easily come about 100 mi. likely by mule or camel. At that distance, the journey may have taken them from 5 -10 days.

 2. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

   We have seen his star in the east; This means the wise men were in the east when they saw the star, it does not mean the star itself was in the east.

 3. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

 4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

   Chief priests and scribes of the people; Scribes were learned men, skilled in the law, and members of the great council. They were also called lawyers, Mt 22:35, and doctors of the law, Lu 5:17. They were called scribes from the fact of their writing the public records. They were not, however, a religious sect. The chief priests and scribes here mentioned, adds up to the Sanhedrin, or great council of the nation. This was composed of seventy-two men, who had the charge of the civil and religious affairs of the Jews. On this occasion, Herod, in his alarm, called them together to inquire of them concerning the birth of Christ.

 5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

   They were referring to the prophet Micah.

 6. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

   This verse was derived from Micah 5:2 were it says “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

 7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

   Herod wanted to know when the star appeared, for he concluded that the star appeared just at the time of his birth, and he wanted to know precisely how old the child was.

 8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

  Herod had in mind to kill Jesus when the wise men tell him exactly where he was. Notice how he used religion to cover his deceit.

 9. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

   It is likely that the wise men were the only people who saw the star.

 10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

   They were glad to find their faithful guide again and felt assured, that with its help they were about to find the long awaited Christ.

 11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

   Frankincense, and myrrh; These were fragrant tree saps used as perfume, taken from a tree in a way similar to that of collecting maple syrupy.

   Notice how only Mary and not Joseph is mentioned here, that is because Joseph was not Jesus’ blood father, and was not to be mistaken as such.

 12. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

   When God tells you what to do you better do it. It may  greatly hinder or disable His plans, if directions are not closely followed, and will bring upon oneself painful consequences.

 13. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

   And take the young child and his mother; Here again the angel counts Joseph out of the family, and does not say take thy wife and son; for they may not have been married yet, though they likely were, and again, Jesus was not his son.

   Flee into Egypt; Egypt was near to Judea, and therefore was a fit place to flee to; for a long and tedious journey would not have been suitable to the mother and her young child. Also, Egypt was out of Herod’s jurisdiction. there he could not come to them, or have any power over them.

   Here again it was important that God’s command be carried out.

 14. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

   When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night; Notice how he followed God’s orders immediately, likely, the same night of his dream. If he would have waited till morning, someone would likely have questioned them and reported to Herod when he threatened to kill the children in that area.

   Also notice, they probably wouldn’t have had enough money for the journey if it hadn’t been for the wise men’s gifts. That may have been the sole reason the wise men were sent to Jesus.

 15. And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

 16. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

   Exceeding wroth; This is a good illustration of the power of anger. If it cannot accomplish just what it wishes, it does not hesitate to go much farther and accomplish far more evil than originally intended.

   Also, imagine the distress of the Jews at this mass murder and possibly at the thought of their long awaited king being killed.

   The number of children killed was likely not over 40. (Barnes)

 17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy (Jeremiah) the prophet, saying,

18. In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

   This verse was quoted from Jeremiah 31:15

 19. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

 20. Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

 21. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

   It is not known how long they stayed in Egypt, it is thought somewhere between a few month and about 3 yr.

 22. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

   Archelaus’s brother Antipas reigned in Galilee. He was a milder person than Archelaus and their father. Also, Galilee was a remote place and promised less danger.

 23. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

   Meaning, he shall live in Nazareth. (not referring to a Nazirite as was Samson.)

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