_CRITICAL NOTES_
Matthew 2:1. BORN.—The birth of Jesus has been assigned to “the
fourth year before the common account called Anno Domini.” But Rev.
A. Carr (Cambridge Bible for Schools) says, “the year 3 before the
Christian Era has been fixed almost beyond a doubt as the date of the
Nativity.” BET... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Matthew 2:11. HOUSE.—It is not reasonable to suppose that the holy
family would require to stay long in the public khan or caravanserai,
where the infant Saviour was born. WORSHIPPED.—The gathering of the
Gentiles to the light of Israel was an essential part of true Judaism,
and co... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Matthew 2:13. EGYPT.—At all times the readiest place of refuge for
the Israelites, whether from famine or from political oppression. In
Alexandria the Jews numbered a fifth of the population. Wherever,
therefore, the infant Saviour’s home was in Egypt, it would be in
the midst of H... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_
Matthew 2:22. ARCHELAUS.—Succeeded to Judæa, Samaria and Idumea,
but Augustus refused him the title of king till it should be seen how
he conducted himself, giving him only the title of Ethnarch. Above
this, however, he never rose. The people, indeed, recognised him as
his father’s... [ Continue Reading ]