Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Matthew (Levi)
Date Penned: (60-65 AD)
Overview: Jesus Christ the King (c 1-28)
Theme: The Birth and Preparation of Jesus, The King (c 1-4)
Message: Visitors arrive from Eastern Lands (v 1-12)
The Escape to Egypt (v 13-18) The Return to Nazareth (v 19-23)
Matthew 2 Commentary
(2:1) Bethlehem is a small town 5 miles south of Jerusalem. It sits on a high ridge over
2,000 feet above sea level. It is mentioned in more detail in the Gospel of Luke. Luke also explains why Joseph and Mary were
in Bethlehem when Jesus was born rather than Nazareth, their hometown. The land of Israel was divided into 4 political
districts and several lesser territories. Judea was to the South, Samaria in the middle, Galilee to the north, and Idumea
to the southeast. Bethlehem of Judea (Judah) had been prophesied as the Messiah's, birthplace (Micah 5) Jerusalem
was also in Judah and was the seat of government for Herod the Great, king over all four political districts. After Herod's
death, the districts were divided among 3 seperate rulers, although he was a ruthless, evil man who murdered many in
his own family. Herod the Great supervised the renovation of the Temple, making it much larger and beautiful. This made him
popular with many Jews. Jesus would visit Jerusalem many times because the great Jewish festivals were held there
(2:2) Not much is known about these wise men. We don't know where they came from or how many there
were. Tradition says they were men of high position from Parthia, near the site of ancient Babylon. It is not known how they
knew the star was the star that represented the Messiah? When they found them they responded with joy, worship, and gifts.
How different from the approach people often take today. We expect God to come looking for us, to explain himself, prove
who he is, and give us gifts. But those who are wise still seek and worship Jesus today, not for what they can get, but for
who he is. The wise men said they saw Jesus' star. Balaam referred to a coming "Star out of Jacob" (Numbers 24)
Regardless of man's theories of the star or how the wise men had knowledge of the star. The Lord made a special
star to announce the arrival of his Son and the Wise men found Jesus.
(2:3)
Herold the Great was quite disturbed when the wise men asked about a newborn king of the Jews because Herod was not the rightful heir
to the throne of David: therefore many Jews hated him as a person not worthy of this position. If Jesus really was an heir,
trouble would arise. Herod was ruthless and had many enemies. He was suspicious that someone would try to overthrow him.
Herod didn't want the Jews, a religious people, to unite around a religious figure. If these astrologers were of Jewish descent
and from Parthia (the most powerful region next to Rome) they would have welcomed a Jewish King who could swing the balance
of power away from Rome. The land of Israel, far from Rome, would have been easy prey for a nation trying to gain more
control.
(2:4) The leading priests and teachers of religious law were
aware of Micah 5 and other prophecies about the Messiah. The wise men's news troubled Herod because he knew the
Jewish people expected the Messiah to come soon (Luke 3) Most Jews expected the Messiah to be a great military and political
leader, like Alexander the Great. Herod's counselors would have told Herod this. No wonder this ruthless man took
no chances and ordered all the babies in Bethlehem killed.
(2:5) Matthew often
quoted Old Testament prophets. This prophecy, paraphrasing Micah 5, had been delivered 7 centuries earlier. Matthew changed
the words slightly and he applied the prophecy to Christ. New Testament writers often combined similar verses when quoting the
Old Testament.
(2:6) Most religious leaders believed in a literal fulfillment
of all Old Testament prophecy: therefore, they believed the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, Ironically, when Jesus was
born, these same religious leaders became his greatest enemies. When the Messiah, for whom they had been waiting finally came,
they didn't recognize him.
(2:8) Herod did not want to worship Christ - he was lying. This
was a trick to get the wise men to return to him and reveal the whereabouts of the newborn king. Herod's plan was to
kill Jesus.
(2:11) Jesus was probably one or two years old when the wise
men found him. By this time, Mary and Joseph were married, living in a house, and intending to stay in Bethlehem for
a while. (Luke 2) The wise men gave these expensive gifts because they were worthy presents for a future king. Bible students
have seen in the gift symbols of Christ's identity and what he would accomplish. Gold was a gift for a King, Frankincense
was a gift for Deity, and Myrrh was a spice used to anoint a body for burial. These gifts may have provided the
financial resources for the trip to Egypt and back.
(2:11) The wise
men brought gifts and worshipped Jesus for who he was. This is the essence of true worship - honoring Christ for who
He is and being willing to give Him what is valuable to you. Worship God because he is the perfect, just and almighty Creator
of the universe, worthy of the best you have to give.
(2:12) After finding
Jesus and worshiping him the wise men were warned by God not to return through Jerusalem as they had intended. Finding Jesus
may mean that your life must take a different direction, one that is responsive and obedient to God's Word. Are willing to
be led a different way?
(2:13) This is the second dream or vision that Joseph received
from God. His first dream revealed that Mary's child would be the Messiah. The second dream told him how to protect the
child's life. Although Joseph was not Jesus' natural father he was Jesus' Legal father and was responsible for his safety
and well-being. Divine guidance comes only to prepare hearts. Joseph remained receptive to God's guidance.
(2:14) Going to Egypt was not unusual because there were colonies of Jews in several major cities
there. Theis colonies began during the time of the great captivity (Jeremiah 43) There is an interesting parallel between
this flight to Egypt and Israel was an infant nation. It went to Egypt , as a child, God led Israel out (Hosea 11)
God brought Jesus back. Both events show God working to save his people.
(2:16)
Herod, the king of the Jews, killed all the boys under 2 years of age in an obsessive attempt to kill Jesus, the newborn
king he stained his hands with blood, but he did not harm Jesus. Herod was King by a human appointment. No one can thwart
God's plans. Herold was afraid that this newborn king would one day take his throne. He completely misunderstood the reason
for Christ's coming. Jesus didn't want Herod's throne, He wanted to be king of Herod's life. Jesus wanted to give Herod eternal
life, not take away his present life. Today people are often afraid that Christ wants to take things away when, in reality,
he wants to give them real freedom, peace, and joy. Don't fear Christ - give him the throne of your life.
(2:17) Rachel was the wife of Jacob, one of the great men of God in the Old Testament. From Jaacob's
12 sons came the 12 tribes of Israel, Rachel was buried near Bethlehem (Genesis 35)(Jeremiah 31)
(2:19-22) Herod the Great died in 4 BC of an incurable disease. Tome trusted him but didn't trust
his sons. Herod knew Rome wouldn't give his successor as much power, do he divided his kingdom into 3 parts, one for
each son. Archelaus got Judea, Samaria, and Idumes: Herod antipas received Galilee and Peres: Herod Philip II got Trachonitis,
Archelaus, a violent man, began his reign by slaughtering 3,000 influential people. He was banished nine years later. God
didn't want Joseph's family to go into the region of this evil ruler.
(2:23)
Naxareth sat in the hilly area of southern Galilee near the crossroads of great caravan trade routes. The town itself
was rather small. The Roman garrison in charge of Galilee was housed there. The people of Nazareth had constant contact
with people from all over the world, so world news reached them quickly. The people of Nazareth had an attitude of Independence
that many Jews despised. This may have been what Nathaneal commented (John 1) "Can there be any good thing to come
out of Nazareth?" The Old Testament does not record this specific statement, "He shall be called a Nazarene"
Many scholars believe, however, that Matthew was referring to Isaiah 11 where the Hebrew word for "branch"
is similar to the word for "Nazarene" Or he may have been referring to a prophecy unrecorded in the Bible.
In any case, Matthew painted the picture of jesus as the true Messiah announced by God through the prophets, and he made
the point that Jesus, the Messiah, had unexpectedly humble beginnings, just as the Old Testament predicted (Micah
5)
Dave Burnette's Life Application
Wise Men Still Seek Him
Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in
the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of Matthew with Chapter
2. In our text today we see the wise men coming for the eastern lands to see this one who was foretold, the Messiah,
Jesus-Christ. While wise men seek Him we see evil men continue to ignore the Word of God and the fulfilled prophecy.
In making application we see that wise men will seek Him and when we do Jesus will reveal Himself to us, showing us
how we can be Saved, and then enjoy the victorious Christian life. How about you? Have you found Salvation in Him?
Let us learn from our text today and the example of these men who were wise to seek the Lord Jesus-Christ.
