MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:1 BETHLEHEM OF JUDEA. Located about 6
miles (9.7 km) south of Jerusalem. Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem marks
him as being from the tribe of Judah and from the city that produced
the Davidic kings (1 Samuel 17:12; see note on Luke 2:3–4). HEROD
THE KING (Herod the Great) ruled I... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:2 WE SAW HIS STAR WHEN IT ROSE. Through
interaction with Jews in Babylon, the wise men would likely have been
familiar with OT prophecy (e.g., Numbers 24:17). The movement of the
star (Matthew 2:9) suggests that it was a supernatural phenomenon. The
wise men likely traveled... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:4 The CHIEF PRIESTS were in charge of
temple activities. SCRIBES. Experts in handling written documents. In
Israel, their duties included teaching, interpreting, and applying the
Mosaic law. The concept of “King of the Jews” had become
associated with THE CHRIST, the Messia... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:5 BETHLEHEM. See Micah 5:2.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:9 THE STAR... WENT BEFORE THEM. The star
led them specifically to Bethlehem.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:11 The wise men arrived up to two years
after Jesus’ birth. By then Jesus lived in a HOUSE. WORSHIPED HIM.
Because of their pagan background, the wise men may not have
understood Jesus’ divine nature, but their actions were clearly
appropriate (see Philippians 2:9; Revelati... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:13 FLEE TO EGYPT. The Egyptian border was
approximately 90 miles (146 km) south of Bethlehem. There, they would
be free from Herod’s power.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:15 FULFILL. The prophet Hosea recounted
how God had faithfully brought Israel, God’s “son,” out of Egypt
in the exodus (Hosea 2:15). Matthew cites this in reference to Jesus,
God’s true Son.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:16 ALL THE MALE CHILDREN IN BETHLEHEM...
TWO YEARS OLD OR UNDER. The small village may have had 10 to 30 boys
of that age. Herod the Great’s question to the wise men about the
time of the appearing of the star (Matthew 1:7) gave him an estimated
time of Jesus’ birth.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:17 Jeremiah described the mothers of
Israel (RACHEL) mourning for their CHILDREN who had been carried off
into exile (Jeremiah 31:15). Like the exile, the attempt on Jesus’
life was intended to wipe out the chosen one of God.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:22 ARCHELAUS was one of Herod the
Great’s sons. He followed Herod as ruler over Judea, Samaria, and
Idumea, from 4 B.C.–A.D. 6. He was cruel like his father, and the
Jews hated him. Fearing a revolution from the people, Caesar Augustus
removed him from power.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 2:23 NAZARETH is halfway between the
Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee. It was a relatively small
village. Joseph and Mary had come from Nazareth (see Luke 1:26; Luke
2:39). HE WOULD BE CALLED A NAZARENE. Matthew is not quoting any
specific OT prophecy but is referring... [ Continue Reading ]