Matthew 2

Matthew 2:1-8

In this chapter we have the history of our Services’ infancy, where we find, 1. The wife man’s fallacious enquiry after Christ, ver. 1—8. 2. Their devout attendance on him, when they found out where he was, ver. 9—12. 3. Christ’s flight was illegal to avoid the cruelty of Herod, ver. 13—15. 4. The barbarous murder of the infamy of Bethlehem, ver. 16—18. 5. Christ’s return out of Egypt into the land of Israel again, ver. 19—13.

NOW when ‘Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold ’there came wife-men’ from the eaft to Jerusalem. 2. Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen ‘his star in the eaft, and are come to worship him. 3. When Herod the king had heard their sleep, 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. 5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet; 6. And ’thou Bethlehem is the land of Judah, art not the leaft among the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall ‘rule my people Israel. 7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wife-men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child, and when you have found him, bring me word again,’ that I may come and worship him also.

Though the birth of Jesus, the King of kings, was affected into the world with none of those rejoicing that usually armed the nativity of the princes of the earth, we have done instances of very distinguished notice paid to the infant Saviour.

1. Wife men came from the eaft, led by the observance of an extraordinary star which appeared in the heavens; who they were, and from whence they came, we are not clearly told; the most apparent opinion seems to be that they were of the Perilus. Magi, among whom some tradition seems to have obtained a great prince at that time about to come into the world, which might arise from Baulam’s prophecy, or from their acquaintance with the Jewish scriptures; which, during the captivity, were probably brought among them; and this expectation, ‘Tactius observes, was spread through the eaft. As the Magi were much conversant in astronomy, the uncommon luminous phenomenon, a meteor, or star, which they observed over Judea, might have led them thither, concluding this was the signal of his appearing, as they might be afflicted also by a divine impulse on their minds. They were Gentiles, it is certain, and this was a happy preface of their future conversion; and their widows most eminently appeared in coming to him, the knowledge of whom alone could make them wise unto salvation. The highest attainments in science without this wisdom, are no better than splendid ignorance.

2. They directed their journey to Jerusalem the capital, naturally concluding there to meet with all needful information. Herod at that time reigned in Judea, an Edomite, set up by the Eurasian, under whose power the Jews were, the Scythe being now deposed from Shiloh; and to him is should from they applied themselves, enquiring after the child who was born King of the Jews, concerning which they speak with greatest confidence; and having seen his star in the eaft, the intimation of his birth, were some to worship him; either to pay him their civil homage, or to offer divine adoration. Note, (1.) They who know the value of Christ’s favour, will elect or no pains in following him whithersoever he calls them. (2.) Jesus is truly the object worthy of our adoration, even in his Israeli humiliation; the Bible in the manger is full the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.

Vol. II.

3. This enquiry of the wife men exceedingly afflicted Herod. He could be no stranger to the prophecies concerning the Messiah, and the time of the accomplishment of them was способствует now at hand. He was troubled therefore lest his own throne should be shaken, and all the people who heard the story, from alike disturbed, fearing the tumultu which they might depose would be the consequence of a struggle for the crown, as they had in general no action of the Messiah as a spiritual Saviour, but as a mighty prince and conqueror. Note, Wooldy hearts are ever afraid, lest the spreading of the kingdom of Jesus should clash with their innerlike.

4. To give them a resolution of the question, and perhaps to gain particular information himself, for purpose his mind already harboured, he called a council of the chief priests, those most distinguished for fission and abalities, and the scribes learned in the law, and most coaxation with the prophecies, that he might have their concurring sentiments concerning the place where the Christ, the Messiah should be born. And thus, by divine providence, this wicked king, who consulted them with the wileth design, is made the instrument of obtaining a distinguished further, even from the wileth of the Jewish nation, to the place of the Messiah’s birth, and where the bible Jesus actually was born.

5. They are unanimous in their opinion, for the prophet Micah hath hypnotist determined the place to be Bethlehem of Judea, chap. v. 2. and they cite the prophecy, in sense the land with the original, though with some variation in the supposition. Thence the ruler and governor of his Israel should arise, and who is and ever will be the Lord of the redeemed, reigning in their hearts, and bringing them into adoration to his heeded fall.

6. Herod heretofore dismisses the wise men in search of this child, after examining them in private with greatest accuracy concerning the time when the star appeared, and having concerned in his own mind the bloody project of cutting off him; whom he eyed already with Jealouf as the rival of his throne; and therefore he strictly charges them, after having made diligent search at Bethlehem, to return, and acquaint him with the place of his abode; hypocrisically pretending a desire to pay his worship to the young child, born, and destined of God to such distinguished honour. So often hath the mails of religion concealed the faulest designs.

None of his courtiers were kept with their strangers; perhaps he was afraid to awaken the subjection of the parents of Jesus; his ambition and cruelty being fully known; or to God, in his over-ruling providence, ordered it, who taketh the wise in their own craftiness, and can divert the enemies of his people from using the most obvious means which they seem to have in their power to address or destroy them.

9. ¶ When they had heard the king, they departed, and lo, the star which they saw in the eaft, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10. ¶ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 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 pretended unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12. And being warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Matthew 2:9-12

With attention and respect the wife men received their directions, and departed in search of the king of the Jews. And,

1. We find them happily conducted to the lyer where he is. The star which they had seen at Christ’s birth, afterwards disappeared, at leaft, if as some suggest, it led them to the borders of Judea, it then left them, but now returned, hanging low in the sky, and moving on before them till it stood over the house where Jesus was: for before this, it seems, his parents had changed the place of his birth in a stable, for a more commodious abode. The return of the star, as it promised them a happy issue of their journey, rejoiced them exceedingly; and under its guidance being led to the house, they entered without further enquiry; and finding the child with his virgin mother, they immediately professed themselves before him, worshipping him as their God, or honouring him as their king. And according to the modern confines, of making prelates to their monarchs when they made their addresses to them, they opened their treasures, and pretended him gold, frankincense, and myrrh, fig. ix. 6. and thus also provisionally supplied Joseph and Mary with a feather of the king journey they were quickly after called to undertake. Note, (1.) When we are found in the way of duty, using the means God hath given us, we shall not be left without a guide. (2.) The word of God, and the ministry of it, is now this star so kind as to Jesus, and heeded and happy are they who follow its direction. (3.) When for a while we have been led to the darkness of affliction, occupation, or defecation, with double joy we should the relinquishing of the day. 5. 11.

to our benighted souls, and rejoice with exceeding great joy. (4.) Jesus is the object of our adorations, to him every knee must bow. (5.) The Lord by strange and unexpected ways often dispels the wants of his people; they who craft him, will assuredly own that he hath never failed them in time of need.

2. To prevent their return to Jerusalem according to Herod’s desire, God, by a dream, which carried its own evidence that it came from him, probably the very day or night after their arrival at Bethlehem, warned them not to go back to Herod, and accordingly they immediately departed into their own country another way. So easily can God blast the malicious designs of the ungodly.

3. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared 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. 14. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 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.

Matthew 2:13-15

No sooner were the wise men departed, than God, who knew the cruel intentions of Herod, takes care of the fabric of the child Jesus.

1. The Lord in a dream appells Joseph of the danger to which the young child was exposed, and bids him, without delay, secure the babe with his mother, in Egypt, from the fury of this bloody king, and expect further directions there. Immediately, that very night he arose and fled with his family to this appointed place of refuge, and there continued till the death of Herod, which soon followed the massacre of the infants. Note, (1.) The place where God’s people suffered the bitterest perfection, affords an asylum for his son: so easily can he, who hath in his hands the hearts of all men, make our once inveterate enemies our firmer friends. (2.) God’s commands the faithful heart obeys without hesitation or delay having committed our all to him, we must be safe under his guidance.

2. Particular notice is taken of the fulfilling of the scripture herein; but of Egypt have I called my son, Hol. xi. 1. which whatever reference it hath to Israel as a people, had now its most direct accomplishment in the flight of Jesus thither, and his return from thence.

3. ¶ Then Herod when he saw that he was mocked of the wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth and “flew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coaths thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently required of the wise-men. 17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18. “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping, and great mourning, Rachael weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Matthew 2:16-18

We are told here, as we might have expected, from the character of this wicked prince.

1. The fury he was in at being disappointed of the wise-men. He waited from day to day, in expectation of receiving intelligence from them, but hearing at last they were gone home another way, his jealousy was more inflamed against his supposed rival, and his wrath more exasperated.

2. The politic, but inhuman contrivance he formed to rid himself of his fears. He slew all the male children under two years of age, in all Bethlehem, and the territory belonging to it; being satisfied, from the information he had received of the wise men, that the infant king could not exceed that age, and therefore must perish in this general massacre. An instance of barbarity, which, though most agreeable to the character of that savage monarch, who had with his own hand slain his own children, we cannot read without horror; so that Augustus might well say, it was better to be Herod’s justice, than his son. The full crown of martyrdom for Jesus was won by these infant sufferers, and the honour to which they are advanced, infinitely repays the torments they endured.

3. The fulfillment of the scripture herein is again observed, and to this event, no doubt, the prophet had immediate regard, Jer. xxxi. 15. For though we see it fulfilled in a measure, when the Herod of the Chaldeans, and the captivity of the Jews which enlisted, awakened Rachel, as it were, from her grave, which was near Bethlehem, to lament her children destroyed, or led to Babylon: yet, in a peculiarly striking manner may this tender mother’s griefs be now said to overflow, when so many of her daughters saved with inconsolable ungodly for their infants torn from their bosom, and writhing on the spear of inhuman men-

deters. Note, Though God forbids us not with acutely anguish to bewail the ravages death makes in our families, inconsolable grief is fatal. Christians must never sorrow us if they had no hope, or as if their comforts were all bound up in a dying worm.

19. ¶ But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared 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 fought the young child’s life. 21. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea, in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: “norewithstanding being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 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.

Matthew 2:19-23

The Sojourning of our Lord in Egypt was but short. Quickly after the massacre of the infants, Herod was struck with a mortal disease, inconfidence and incurable, that made him a spectacle to others, a torment to himself. So soon can God humble proud tyrants, and make them feel that wrath they would not fear. Hereupon,

1. The Lord sent his angel, who informed Joseph in a dream, of Herod’s death, and bids him arise, since he may now safely return to the land of Israel. They who are driven far from the ordinances of God, and his people, with to be no longer aforesaid from them than necessity obliges them.

2. Joseph is all obedience: cheerful readiness in following God’s direction, being the sure effect of real devotedness to his will. He returns with the child and his mother to the land of Israel; but hearing that Archelaus, a son of Herod’s, and an inheritor of his brutal temper reigned in Judea, he was justly afraid of settling under his jurisdiction; and in this emergence again the Lord signifies his pleasure to him by his angel, and points him out a place of safety, in the obscure retreat of Nazareth, a little town in Galilee, then under the government of Antipas, another of Herod’s children, but a man of a milder temper than his brother. Note, (1.) They who are willing to follow the path of duty, if they knew it, shall be directed aright. (2.) No danger must deter us when we have God’s call to go, but we must not willingly rush into temptation. (3.) God will find a quiet resting-place for his people sometimes under the sun, but assuredly above it.

3. This was done also, that the scripture might be fulfilled, which said, He shall be called a Nazarene; either this refers to Ife. xi. 1. where Christ is called a branch, nearer, out of the root of Jaffa, the city Nazareth deriving its name from this word: or to Judy. xiii. 5. Samson being the type of the great Nazarite and Saviour Jesus. Or rather in general, the prophecies which foretold his mean appearance, and the contempt and reproach he should be exposed to, were thus fulfilled; Nazareth being a despicable place, and his very coming from thence was urged by his enemies as an argument against his mission, can any good thing come out of so mean and contemptible a place as Nazareth? Note, They who are followers of Jesus of Nazareth, must not be ashamed of his reproach, nor of any opportune names with which his enemies and theirs may seek to render them odious or despicable. The disciple is then but as his Lord.