Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Ver. 1. _Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem_] The house of bread, that bread of life that came down from heaven, John 6:50, and dwelt among us in this city of Davi... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Ver. 2. _Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?_] As presupposing a common notice. But the "kingdom of God cometh not by observation," Luke 17:21, neither is it of this... [ Continue Reading ]
When Herod the king had heard _these things_, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Ver. 3. _When Herod the King heard these things he was troubled_] At that wherein the sages and shepherds rejoiced. It is fair weather with the saints when foulest with the wicked. Abraham stands upon the hil... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. Ver. 4. _And when he had gathered all the chief priests_] The true picture of Popish councils, who propound grave questions as this was, Where Christ should be born? a... [ Continue Reading ]
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, Ver. 5. _And they said unto him, In Bethlehem_] Lo, how readily and roundly, out of the Scriptures, they could answer to this capital question; giving such signs of the Messias as did evidently agree to Jesus Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
And thou Bethlehem, _in_ the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Ver. 6. _And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least_] "Thou art the least," saith Micah, Micah 5:2, via in comparison of g... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. Ver. 7. _Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently_] _a_ The children of this world are wise in their generation, but so are serpents, foxes, &c., to... [ Continue Reading ]
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found _him_, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. Ver. 8. _And he sent them to Bethlehem_] It was a wonder he went not himself, or sent not some assassin underhand, to despa... [ Continue Reading ]
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. Ver. 9. _And, lo, the star_] A star either newly created, or at least wise strangely carried: for it stands one while, moves another,... [ Continue Reading ]
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Ver. 10. _When they saw the star_] The sight whereof they seem to have lost when they turned out of the way; it led them to Jerusalem. But this text is excellently paraphrased and applied by Bishop Hooper, martyr, in a letter of his, w... [ Continue Reading ]
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 presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Ver. 11. _And when they were come into the house_] Not a palace prepa... [ Continue Reading ]
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Ver. 12. _And being warned of God in a dream, &c._] Thus were they pulled by a sweet Providence out of the lion's mouth, as Paul was; 2Ti 4:17 as Athanasius and Basil often; as... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth 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. Ver 13. _Behold, the angel of the Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: Ver. 14. _When he arose he took the young child, &e._] Whither God leads, we must cheerfully follow, though he seem to lead us, as he did Israel in the wilderness, in and out, backwards and forwards, as if he w... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 15. _And was there till the death of Herod_] Which was a matter of two or three years at least _a_ For Christ was born in 32 of Herod's rei... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Ver. 16. _Then Hero... [ Continue Reading ]
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, Ver. 17. _Then was fulfilled that which was spoken_] Fulfilling of prophecies is a convincing argument of the divinity of the Scriptures. Moses had foretold that God should dwell between Benjamin's shoulders, Deuteronomy 33:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping _for_ her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. Ver. 18. _Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning_] How impatient was Jacob in the loss of Joseph; David of Absalom, &c. Grief for sin... [ Continue Reading ]
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Ver. 19. _But when Herod was dead_] Not long after this butchery at Bethlehem he fell into a foul and loathsome disease, whereof he died: _a_ so did Sulla, that bloody man before him; _b_ so did Maximinus... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. Ver. 20. _For they are dead which sought the young child's life_] God hid him, as it were, "for a little moment, until the indignation was overpast," Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]
And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. Ver. 21. _And he arose, &c., and came into the land of Israel_] Glad they were got out of such a hell as Egypt, Eze 20:7-8 where the Israelites having been for a time, brought back with them a golden calf; Jero... [ Continue Reading ]
But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: Ver. 22. _But when he heard that Archelaus_] Neither good egg nor good bird, as they say, _C... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 23. _And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth_] Hence an opinion among the people that he was born there, Joh 7:42 and so could not be the Messiah... [ Continue Reading ]