Matthew 2

1. Bethlehem. A small town about six miles south of Jerusalem, well known as the original seat of the family of David: see Ruth i. 1; iv. 11; 1 Sam. xvi.; Psa. cxxxii. 6; Micah v. 2.

Herod the king. Herod, the son of Antipater, who was an Idumasan, had obtained the kingdom of Judæa from the Romans, to whom Palestine, with all the neighbouring territory, was now subject. He is called Herod the Great, being the most distinguished of his family. But neither his kingly qualities, nor the splendid style in which he rebuilt the Temple, could obtain for him the affection of his subjects. They were prejudiced against him as a foreigner, and hated him for his treatment of the Hasmonean family (the Maccabees’ family name); his compliance with heathen customs, and his numerous cruelties.

wise men. Rather, “Magi.” This name, originally designating the sacerdotal caste among the Medes, was applied also generally to other Eastern philosophers who followed them in cultivating the sciences. Astronomy, which was always connected with astrology, was one of their chief studies. The chief home of the Magi was in Persia and Babylon. “Heathen wisdom led by God to the cradle of Christ” (A. Maclaren).

2. His star. (Not “His star in the East”; but “We have seen in the East.” To them the star would be in the west.) The East was at this time pervaded by an expectation of a new and universal empire to arise in Judæa (Sueton, Vesp. c. 4; Tacit, Ann. v. 13); and there were remarkable

3 he was troubled. Herod, as a foreigner and usurper, feared one who was born King of the Jews. The people dreaded fresh tumults and wars, which would be sure to lead to further cruelties on the part of Herod.

4 the chief priests and scribes of the people. The “scribes” were mostly men of the priestly or Levitical families, whose office it was to preserve, copy, and explain the Scriptures and the traditions.

Christ. Rather, “the Christ”: see note on the name at i. 1.

6. And thou Bethlehem, etc. The passage (Micah v. 2) is quoted rather according to the sense than the exact words. The negative (“not the least”) is an addition of the scribes, but well suits the prophet’s sense. He says, “the least” materially; they, “not the least,” morally.

shall rule. Lit., “shall be shepherd of” (R.V.). 7 Inquired of them diligently. Rather, “ascertained from them exactly.”

8 search diligently for the young child. The R.V. better represents the force of the original, “Search out carefully concerning the young child.”

11 gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. “Frankincense” is a fragrant resin, probably obtained from the Boswellia serrata, which grows in the mountains of India. “Myrrh” was a favourite perfume; ep. Gen. xxxvii. 25; Ps. xlv. 8. These valuable offerings, such as would be made to a king, probably afforded to Joseph and Mary the means of support on their journey to Egypt. Herod, the chief priests, and the Magi, afford an instructive representation of the different ways in which men treat the Saviour and the gospel. Some regard Him with malignant hostility; others, and often those who have the greatest religious advantages, with unbelieving indifference; whilst a third class, perhaps having fewer privileges, thankfully look to Him as their Lord, and consecrate what they have to His service; ep. viii. 11, 12.

12 another way. So as to avoid Jerusalem. 13 the angel. Rather, “an angel,” as R.V., and ver. 19.

flee into Egypt. Egypt being near, and a Roman province, and much inhabited by Jews, was an easy and convenient refuge.

15 until the death of Herod. Herod died in April of the year 750 A.U.C. or 4 B.C., according to the usual computation. But some careful writers think that he lived until 753.

that it might be fulfilled, etc. See Hos. xi. 1. Egypt, under the Old Covenant and the New, became “the cradle of the Church.”

16 that he was mocked (trifled with). That is, as he himself supposed.

all the children. Greek, “all the boys.” Bethlehem being a very small town, the number of victims probably was not large. So many and atrocious were Herod’s cruelties, that this probably would never have been recorded except for its connexion with the life of our Lord.

the coasts. Or, “borders”; i.e., the immediate neighbourhood; see note on Exod. v. 4.

diligently inquired. Rather, as R.V., “exactly learned.” The limit of age (two years old and under) seems to define the time within which the star had appeared.

17. Then was fulfilled, etc. See note on Jer. xxxi. 15.

20 they are dead, etc. There is here a verbal reference to Exod. iv. 19: probably designed to remind Joseph that He who had protected Moses was now watching over “the young child” Jesus.

22. Archelaus. By Herod’s last will, which Augustus confirmed, his dominions were divided; and Archelaus somewhat unexpectedly obtained the government of Judæa, Idumæa, and part of Samaria, with the title of “ethnarch”; though he was sometimes popularly called “king.” After a reign of about nine years his oppression and cruelty caused the emperor to depose and banish him.

23. Nazareth. A small village in Southern Galilee, about six miles north-west of Mount Tabor. It is first noticed as the residence of our Lord’s mother (Luke i. 26). It is now a larger place, containing about 7,000 people. A fine description of Nazareth and its surrounding scenery is given by Geikie: Life of Christ, ch. xii.

He shall be called a Nazarene. A prophecy nowhere found literally in the O.T. But in several prophecies it had been foretold that the Messiah should be reproached and despised (see refs. and Psa. lxix. 7, 12; Isa. xlix. 7, etc.). In our Lord’s days the people of Nazareth were held in contempt, not only by the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but even by those of the small towns in their own neighbourhood; as appears from the question of Nathanael of Cana (John i. 46). Hence it may be inferred that the evangelist has here condensed the substance of ancient prophecies in a phrase of his own time. This seems intimated in the general phrase, “by (or, through) the prophets.” The Saviour, brought up in Nazareth, was “a root out of a dry ground” (Isa. liii. 2).