Observe here, 1. The place of our Lord's birth, Bethlehem; he was born, not at Athens, not at Rome, not at Jerusalem, not in any opulent or magnificent city, but in the meanest cities of Judah; thereby showing us, that his kingdom was not of this world, and that he little regarded pomp and outward g... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The enquiry that they make after Christ: they do not ask WHETHER he was born, but WHERE he was born; not doubting of the fact, but ignorant of the place. Observe, 2. The ground of their enquiry: FOR WE HAVE SEEN HIS STAR, They had seen. star; but how did they know it was his star?... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, That when Christ came into the world to save men, it cast the world into. consternation, and caused wonderful disturbances. Herod is first concerned, and next ALL JERUSALEM WITH HIM; Herod for fear of losing his kingdom, Jerusalem for fear of new commotions. Thus Christ, who was the an... [ Continue Reading ]
Herod being in great perplexity, convened. council of the chief priests and scribes, and demands of them the place where Christ, the promised Messiah was to be born. They readily reply, out of the prophet Micah, Micah 5:2. that Bethlehem was the place; this was the city of David's birth, and of Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How Herod clokes his intended cruelty with disguised hypocrisy: he had. murder in his heart, when he pretended to worship Christ with his mouth. There is no villainy so great, but will mask itself under. pretence ond shew of piety. Herod veils his intent to kill Christ, with. preten... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How the star, which for some time disappeared now appears again, to their farther direction in finding Christ: teaching us, That God will not be wanting to such as are on the way to seek Christ, but will renew direction and encouragements to them, according as they stand in need: no... [ Continue Reading ]
God having warned these wise men in. dream not to go back to Herod, they returned home another way. But did these wise men play the parts of honest men, in that they returned not again to Herod? Answer, it appears not that they promised Herod to return, though he expected it; or if they did, it wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Our Lord's humiliation, by persecution in the very morning of his life; he was banished almost as soon as born. FLEE INTO EGYPT, FOR Herod WILL SEEK THE YOUNG CHILD TO DESTROY HIM. Ungrateful Herod! Was this entertainment for. Savior? What! raise the country upon Christ, as if. des... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, How Herod, having played the fox before, acts the lion now; his secret policy not succeeding, he breaks out into open and inhuman cruelty. Learn, That when fraud and subtilty fail the enemies of the church, then thay fall to open rage, and barbarous inhumanity. Thus here these holy in... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The loud and bitter cry which the mothers of Bethlehem make for the death of their innocent children which were barbarously slain by the sword if Herod; here was lamentation, weeping, and great mourning made by Rachel, that is, by the women inhabiting in and about Bethlehem, where Rach... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, 1. Herod's death: like. bloody persecutor, he is sent unlamented to his grave. Historians say, that out of his body issued forth such impure streams of blood that the loathsomeness and pain made him attempt the killing of himself. God seldom suffers persecuters to pass in quiet to their gra... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The just fear that Joseph has upon his mind, that Herod's son would be as bloody. tyrant as his flagitious father. No wonder that the children of cruel persecutors are suspected to tread in their bloody parents' steps. Observe, 2. How God's warrant and direction doth quiet Joseph's... [ Continue Reading ]
A threefold interpretation is given of these words, HE SHALL BE CALLED. NAZARENE. Some read the words, 1. HE SHALL BE CALLED. NAZARITE. The Nazarites were. religious and separate rank of persons among the Jews, who abstained from wine, and came not near the dead, for fear of pollution. Christ was.... [ Continue Reading ]