Matthew 2

Matthew 2:1

NOw when Jesus] Luke 2. 6, 6.

was born] Was newly born. Not long after his birth. As Hebrews 11:23. Before their leaving Bethlehem: That is, within fourty dayes after the birth of Christ. Compare Luke 2:22. with Levit. 12. 2, 4. Their short stay at Bethlehem was the cause, that little notice was taken of Christs birth there in aftertimes. See John 1:43; John 1:46.

in Bethlehem of Judea] To distinguish it from that other Bethlehem, in the tribe of Zebulun, Joshua 19:15.

of Herod the king] Herod the great, called Ascalonita.

wise-men] Learned men. It seems they were Astronomers, because God taught them by a star.

from the east] In respect of Jerusalem, as Deuteronomy 4:4. Zechariah 14:4. Some think the word, Magi, to be a Persian word, and that these came out of Persia. Others think, they came out of Arabia, which was famous for wise-men anciently, 1 Kings 4:30. and stood east-ward from Jerusalem, Genesis 10:30. and 25. 6, 18. Judges 6:3. Job 1:3. Isaiah 11:14. Jeremiah 49:28. Their gifts also, verse 11. shew it, which were plentifull in Arabia, to wit, myrrhe, and frankincense, and gold, 2 Chron. 19. 14. Psalms 72:15.

to Jerusalem] Where the king of the Jews was most likely to be born, or at lest to be heard of, because it was the chief citie.

Matthew 2:2

he that is born] Or, the born king, &c.

king of the Jews] Christ a poor childe laid in a crib, and nothing set by of his own people, receiveth, notwithstanding a noble witnesse of his divine and kingly power from strangers.

his star] As God made known the birth of Christ to the Jews by an angel, Luke 2:9-10. so to the Gentiles by a new created star. They knew by it, that Christ was born, either because it stood over, or went toward Judea, or by some old tradition, or new revelation.

in the east] In our own countrey. See on verse 1.

Matthew 2:3

he was troubled] For fear of the losse of his kingdom, because he was a stranger, and might think the Jews would be glad to have a king of their own, and ready to assist him.

and all Jerusalem] As fearing commotions from Herod, or the Romans, as John 11:48. or change of government.

Matthew 2:4

The chief priests] The heads of the four and twenty priestly families, or courses, 1 Chron. 24. 5, 6, 10. with Luke 1. 5. 2 Chron. 36. 14. Or, such as by corruption had most authority among the priests then.

Scribes] Men of specill skill in expounding the law, 2 Samuel 8:17. Ezra 7:6. These were most likely to satisfe Herods question.

where Christ should be born] He would not acknowledge, that Christ was born, lest he should be taken away from his fury.

Matthew 2:5

In Bethlehem of Judea] See on verse 1.

Matthew 2:6

And thou Bethlehem] Mic. 5. 2. John 7:42. The Evangelist sets down the words in likelihood as the Scribes spake them, which was sufficient to answer Herods question, and did not differ from the scope of the prophet.

not the least] Though thou be a small town, yet shalt thou be very famous and noble through the birth of the Messias in thee.

a governour that shall rule] Or, feed. For kings are fitly called Feeders, or shepherds of the people: And the Messias hath both those titles, Isaiah 40:11. Ezekiel 33:23-24.

Matthew 2:7

when he had privily called] He would not have it noised abroad, lest his purpose of killing Christ should have been disappointed.

enquired of them diligently] And learned the exact time of them, as appears, verse 16. It seems he intended now the future murder of the infants, if he could not finde out Christ. Compare this with verse 16.

appeared] First of all.

Matthew 2:8

for the young childe] He doth not say, For the king of the Jews, as they styled him, verse 2. He would not so much as in word, acknowledge him to be so.

bring me word again] He doth not say, Tell it publikely, lest the people should flock to him, and disappoint his purpose of killing him: yet it was a great providence of God, that Herod had no suspition of the wise-men, nor sent no spie along with them; which if he had done, he might have found out Christ.

and worship him] See Herods hypocrisie. He proffers to worship Christ, when he intends to kill him.

Matthew 2:9

which they saw in the east] It did not come before them to Jerusalem, nor appeared to them there, for then they would have shewed it to Herod, and the Jews, and not have said onely, We have seen his star in the east, verse 2.

went before them] It appeared not for a time, that they might by enquiry acquaint the Jews at Jerusalem with the birth of Christ, which in likelihood, if the star had before led them to Bethlehem, they would not have done.

and stood over where the young childe was] It left them not, till it brought them to Christ. This might be a means to keep them from being offended at his low condition, wherein they found him.

Matthew 2:10

When they saw the star] This was a great confirmation, that the star did lead them to the place designed in the scripture. Revelations are not to be credited, that agree not with the scriptures.

they rejoyced with exceeding great joy] First, because they were confirmed in the truth of the birth of the childe. Secondly, because they were from heaven directed to the place, that they might not mistake the person.

Matthew 2:11

into the house] The place where Christ was born, Luke 2. 7. or, it may be the guests being gone, she was now received into the house it self.

fell down] A kinde of humble and lowly reverence, Exodus 34:4.

opened their treasures] The sacks or vessels, wherein they brought their treasures.

they presented] Or, offered.

gifts] For with such, the men of the eastern parts used to present themselves before their kings, Genesis 43:11; Genesis 43:25-26. These were the choisest things the countrey could afford, 1 Kings 10:10. Psalms 45:12. and 72. 10, 15.

gold, frankincense, and myrrhe] Gold was plentifull in Arabia; frankincense, peculiar to the Sabeans a people of Arabia; myrrhe, said to be found in Arabia onely, Psalms 72:15. 2 Chronicles 9:14. If any store of gold were offered, it was so ordered by God to provide for their flight into Egypt.

Matthew 2:12

being warned of God in a dream] Not by some visions that needed interpretation, as Pharaohs officers were, Gen. 40. and himself, Gen. 41. but plainly forbidden to return to Herod. Thus God kept them from betraying Christ, as he did Abimelech from adultery, Genesis 20:3.

Matthew 2:13

when they were departed] Not presently, but some time after, for Joseph and Mary were at Jerusalem after this, before they went into Egypt, Luke 2. 22.

appeareth to Joseph] Very likely at Jerusalem, and so Joseph went thence into Egypt, for his abiding at Nazareth mentioned, Luke 2:39-40. was for a long time, till Christ grew great, and therefore could not be before his going into Egypt.

flee] Because the time of his death was not yet come, but our Saviour must live to preach, and do many miracles first. This flight was part of Christs humiliation.

into Egypt] Far out of Herods reach. See the like, 1 Kings 11:40.

till I bring thee word] This shews, that God would take care to provide for them there, and to bring them back again.

Matthew 2:14

by night] Lest his flight should be perceived. He would rather trust God in the dark night, then men in the day.

Matthew 2:15

that it might be fulfilled] That performed, that was in the former shadowed: The deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt, being a type of Gods bringing Christ out of the same place.

Out of Eypt have I called] Hosea 11:1.

thy son] The people, Gods first-born son, Exodus 4:32. Jeremiah 31:20. and his anointed, Habakkuk 3:13. before time: and now Christ called his son, Luke 1:35. and his onely begotten son, John 1. 14. and 3. 16.

Matthew 2:16

Then Herod] Not presently after the departure of the wisemen, but after Josephs going into Egypt with the childe. Either Herod had other businesse, or he might think the wisemen staid there still with Christ, or could not finde him, and so went home ashamed.

that he was mocked] As he though; for he knew not that God had sent them home another way, verse 12.

sent forth] Souldiers to kill the children without any legall tryall.

all the children] Or, all the male-children. For the article is masculine in the Greek, and there was no need to kill the females, for it was a male he sought so for. So also it was in Egypt, Exodus 1:16.

in all the coasts thereof] Lest Christ should be born out of the town.

from two yeers old] Lest Christ should be born before the star appeared, and so escape. It was just with God to take away their children, who so lightly regarded his son, manifested to them so strangely by angels, shepherds, wisemen, and the star it self.

and under, according to the time, &c.] Some think Herod committed not this murder till neer two yeers after the wisemens coming to him, and that he went first to Rome, to cleer himself of things objected to him, by his sons. Others, that he would be sure to take time enough, before, and after, that Christ might not scape him: so he enlarged the place to the same purpose. Others, that those words, according to the time, &c. must not be referred to, from two yeers old, but onely to the last words, and under. That is, Herod killed onely such as were born before the wisemen came to Bethlehem, and not those that were born after. Others conceive, that the star appeared at Christs conception, and God directed the wisemen to come after his birth; for such tokens use to go before the things they portend: And Herod might put off the businesse, till he was further provoked: For many crosses fell on him in his last yeer, as Josephus reports.

Matthew 2:17

Then was fulfilled] See notes on verse 15.

by Jeremy the prophet] Jeremiah 31:15.

Matthew 2:18

In Rama] Between which and Bethlehem was Rachels sepulture, Gen. 35. 16, 19, 20. in the confines of Judah and Benjamin, 1 Samuel 10:1.

a voice heard] The cry was so loud, as if it had been heard from Rachels sepulchre to Ramah.

Rachel weeping] The women who came of Rachel did weep so bitterly for their children led into captivity, as if she her self had bemoaned them out of her grave. And so did the women of Bethlehem now mourn for their slain infants.

because they are not] Because they were carried into captivitie, in the prophet, and these were killed. See the like phrase, Genesis 42:13; Genesis 42:36.

Matthew 2:19

appeareth in a dream] Thus God performe his promise made, verse 13.

Matthew 2:20

go into the land of Israel] Lest Christ should bee esteemed a stranger in Israel, if he had been bred in Egypt, and that they might enjoy the publike service of God, their countrey, and friends.

they are dead] The plurall number for the singular. Herod is dead. So Exodus 4:19. with 2. 15. and 32. 4. Joshua 7 11, 15. Matthew 27:44. with Luke 23:39. Others conceive, that some of Herods instruments, or of the Scribes, who hated Christ, died also with Herod.

which sought the young childes life] Not to preserve it, as Proverbs 29:10. but to destroy it, 1 Kings 19:10. Psalms 40:14.

Matthew 2:22

Archelaus] One of the cruellest of Herods issue.

he was afraid to go thither] It seems he had some thoughts of going thither, peradventure, because Christ was born there, or, that he might be neerer the temple.

being warned of God in a dream] This is the fourth time that Joseph was thus warned. See Chap. 1. 20. and in this Chapter, verse 13, 19. and this verse. It is a fit time for God to acquaint man with his will, when he is taken off from all worldly cares. Hereby also God intimates, that he takes care for his, when they take none for themselves.

Matthew 2:23

spoken by the prophets] He doth not say, By the prophet, as verse 15. because it is not found in any one prophet, but in divers, and that not in the words, but in the sense.

He shall be called] See notes on Chap. 1. 23.

a Nazarene] The name of Nazareth was not known in the old Testament. It must therefore be an allusion to Neiser, a. branch. A name often given to Christ by the prophets, Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 11:1. Jere. 23. 5. and 33. 15. Zechariah 3:8. and 6. 12 From thence it is likely, that Natsareth had that name, for so it is written in the Syriack. The application of it to the Nazarites, agrees not with the letters, though some expound it so, and apply to Christ, as typified by Samson, who was a Nazarite from his birth, Judges 13:5.