Mateus 2

Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin

Mateus 2

Spurgeon reminds us that "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!" Behold is used by Matthew 62 times. (Behold) Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem - Thinking that the King of the Jews would be born in the royal palace, they went to Herod. From the east is the picture "from the rising of the sun" in this case to the east of Israel, the "orient", the direction east; the part of the horizon where the sun first appears. I see a slight play on words here for men coming from the rising sun were coming to see the newborn Son! Fruchtenbaum adds that " In the Bible the east is always the area of Mesopotamia, so there are at least two astrologers from Babylonia." Luke makes no mention of the magi. Notice first that they are magi or wise men, not kings. The magi had in some way (NOT SPECIFIED) been made aware of this divine birth and had come seeking the KING OF THE JEWS. Notice also that in Mt 2:2 they asked "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" but Herod did not know as we see in Mt 2:4 for he himself gathered "together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born." Apparently, the magi were ignorant of the prophecy in Micah 5:2 as was Herod. Fruchtenbaum agrees noting that "The Magi come to Jerusalem, since they did not have the book of Micah which predicts where Messiah was to be born (Micah 5:2). They would have assumed that the Messiah would be born in the capital of Israel, Jerusalem." So how did the magi find their way to the King of the Jews? Mt 2:10-11 tell us "they saw the star (HIS STAR)...and they came into the house and saw the Child." Many writers seek to locate where the magi were from and how many there were, but the Bible is silent on both accounts. The beautiful worshipful hymn We Three Kings of Orient has led many to believe there were 3 magi, but that is not absolutely certain. They probably base this presumption on the fact that Matthew mentions 3 gifts. Here is what we can say with certainty -- There were at least two because the word magi is in the plural, but this may have been two or two thousand for the Bible does not say. They were men. The were directed. They came. They acknowledged. They worshipped. And this is what every "wise" man (and woman) should do while today is still called today (cf Jn 9:4). Magi (wise men)(3097)(magos) is derived from the Persian word magus meaning "great" (thus "great, powerful men") and in the plural ("magi") as in Mt 2:1, 7, 16, magi referred to the high priestly caste Persians (also Medes and Babylonians) who are affectionately called the "wise men." The other sense of magos is that of a magician or sorcerer, one who used magic crafts or "witchcraft." We know that the magi were not kings because this specific title means “wisemen” or more specifically, “astrologers.” BDAG adds that magos referred to "a Persian and then also Babylonian wise man and priest, who was expert in astrology, interpretation of dreams and various other occult arts (Herodutus, Josephus 20.142). The Septuagint uses magos in Daniel 2:2 when King Nebuchadnezzar desired to know the meaning of his dream and called "the magicians (epaoidos - one that uses charms or incantations), the conjurers (magos), the sorcerers (pharmakos)." Matt. 2:1; Matt. 2:7; Matt. 2:16; Acts 13:6; Acts 13:8 East (395) see note below on anatole John

Mateus 2

Spurgeon observes that "A stir begins as soon as Christ is born. He has not spoken a word; he has not wrought a miracle; he has not proclaimed a single doctrine; but ‘when Jesus was born,’ at the very first, while as yet you hear nothing but infant cries, and can see nothing but infant weakness, still his influence upon the world is manifest. ‘When Jesus was born (PROBABLY NOT IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS BIRTH AS EXPLAINED ABOVE), there came wise men from the east,’ and so on. There is infinite power even in an infant Savior.” For (gar) - Term of explanation. The magi explain to Herod why they have come to see the King of the Jews. Can't you just imagine Herod's jaw drop when they tell him how they were led to come! A star! And not just any star, but they refer to it as "HIS star." Now if their mention of a King did not get Herod's attention, imagine Herod's reaction when he finds out this King has His Own STAR! In a sense, the magi actually have good theology, for we know it was the preincarnate Jesus Who created that STAR (Heb 1:2+, Col 1:16+, Neh 9:6)! So in that sense it is "His star." (Dt 10:14) Oh, how mysterious is this truth. John Piper writing on God's power in all the events surrounding His Son's incarnation points out that "Luke shows God influencing the entire Roman Empire so that the census comes at the exact time to get a virgin to Bethlehem to fulfil prophecy with her delivery. Matthew shows God influencing the stars in the sky to get foreign magi to Bethlehem so that they can worship him." We saw His star in the east - The identity of HIS STAR is subject of much speculation as discussed below. The point of the STAR guiding the magi is that God is in some way exerting supernatural power to bring about the result that He desires, in this case the worship of His Son by these Gentile magi. Don't miss this because you are "star gazing" so to speak. Focus on the real "Star" of the story, Jesus Christ! East is anatole which is used in Mt 2:1 (magi from the east) and is also used Luke's account of Jesus' birth when John the Baptist's "father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied" (Lk. 1:67+) a prophecy which included the following description of Jesus "Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise (anatole) from on high will visit us (REFERRING TO THE BIRTH OF JESUS)." (Lk. 1:78+) As alluded to the Bible does not definitively tell us about HIS STAR but there is one passage that is worth noting and it comes from one of the four messianic prophecies from Balaam in the book of Numbers. Could the magi have had a copy of the Pentateuch? We cannot know for certain. Numbers 24:17 “I see HIM, but not now; I behold HIM, but not near; A STAR shall come forth from Jacob, a SCEPTER shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, and tear down all the sons of Sheth. COMMENT - Balaam reluctantly was forced by God to prophesy of the coming of the Jewish Messiah and he related that to a STAR and a SCEPTER. Obviously this was not a literal star because it is described as coming forth from Jacob. He goes on to state that the STAR and the SCEPTER are essentially one and the same. Remember, that the term scepter is a symbol of royalty, of kingship. This STAR which would rise out of Jacob, is himself a KING. The Septuagint translates scepter with the Greek word for man (anthropos) and reads "a man shall rise out of Israel." It is fascinating to note that Balaam’s occupation was that of astrology. Even more significant, he came from the city of Pethor, a city on the banks of the Euphrates River in Babylonia (Nu 22:5; Deut 23:4). It is therefore possible that the magi were exposed to the prophecies of Balaam. As intriguing as these possible associations are, they would still not explain the appearance of the star to the magi. And so we will have to wait until Heaven for the full revelation! Be patient, beloved. There will be many joys in store for us in Heaven! NET Note on His star - Some have argued that it was a comet, but these are frequent and would hardly be associated with Israel or the Messiah. Most modern evangelicals probably take it as a special supernatural light that guided the wise men from Persia to Jerusalem. This theory, however, does not explain why they followed it at all; there was little reason to connect a sudden, slow-moving light in the sky with the promised Jewish king. The magi, expert astronomers as they were, would hardly call such a light a star. The magi may have been familiar with Scriptures such as Ge 3:15, Nu 24:17 (promised "Star out of Jacob"), Isa 7:14 (promised "God with us"). ED: BUT NONE OF THESE PASSAGES PROPHESY OF A STAR THAT WOULD GUIDE ONE TO THE KING OF THE JEWS. EVEN IF IT WERE A "SUPERNATURAL PHENOMENON," WHICH IS VERY POSSIBLE, HOW WOULD THE MAGI HAVE KNOWN TO FOLLOW IT UNLESS THEY HAD SPECIFICALLY BEEN GIVEN SUPERNATURAL INSTRUCTION? I PERSONALLY THINK WE MUST WAIT UNTIL HEAVEN TO LEARN ABOUT "HIS STAR.") What was the star of Bethlehem? - (ED: NOTE THAT THE BIBLE NEVER CALLS IT THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM, BUT DOES CALL IT "HIS STAR") (Excerpt) - The star of Bethlehem is associated with the birth of Christ and the visit of the magi (wise men) as recorded in Matthew 2:1–12. The text implies the star of Bethlehem appeared only to the magi in the East (most likely the area of Persia, or modern-day Iran). There is no biblical record of anyone else observing the star of Bethlehem. The magi in the East saw something in the heavens—the star of Bethlehem—that alerted them to the fact that the Jewish Messiah was born. The magi do not call the star of Bethlehem by that name; in Matthew 2:2 they refer to it as being “HIS STAR” since it was a sign to them that a king was born. The star prompted the magi to travel to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. This would be the logical place to start looking for the birth of the King of the Jews for someone who did not know of Micah’s prophecy about Bethlehem. (click full article - What was the star of Bethlehem?) Spurgeon - - We believe it to have been a luminous appearance in mid-air; probably akin to that which led the children of Israel through the wilderness, which was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Whether it was seen in the daylight or not we cannot tell. Fruchtenbaum - This passage contains the record of the visit of the Magi from the east who were led there by the visibility of a star. Because of this, even some Christians have stated that there is some validity to astrology, and some have even attempted to develop a doctrine of biblical astrology. John

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Spurgeon - This trouble is again testimony to the greatness of Jesus, even as a young child. “Jesus of Nazareth is so potent a factor in the world of mind that, no sooner is he there in his utmost weakness, a now-born King, than he begins to reign. Before he mounts the throne, friends bring him presents, and his enemies compass his death.....Herod heard a good Bible study about the birthplace of the Messiah, but it did him no good. “When the earth-king dabbles in theology, it bodes no good to truth. Herod among the priests and scribes is Herod still. Some men may be well instructed in their Bibles and yet be all the worse for what they have discovered....Mark that the wise men never promised to return to Herod; they probably guessed that all this eager zeal was not quite so pure as it seemed to be, and their silence did not mean consent. He was troubled - NLT = "was deeply disturbed" Just the thought of a rival King of the Jews would have been sufficient information to give him quite a fright. One can almost see him shaking which is the literal meaning of the Greek verb tarasso. This picture recalls another king named Belshazzar, who became frightened by the sudden appearance of a hand writing on the wall (Da 5:5+) and as a result "the king’s face grew pale and his thoughts alarmed him, and his hip joints went slack and his knees began knocking together." (Da 5:6+) Was troubled (disturbed) (5015)(tarasso) literally means to shake back and forth, be agitated (like water boiling) and stir up (like the pool in John 5:4,7, Lxx = Isa 51:15 = "stirs up the sea"; Ps 46:2, 3, 6 referring to earth, water, nations; 2Sa 22:8 = of earth shaking). Most of the NT uses of tarasso are figurative and describe the state of one's mind as stirred up, agitated or experiencing inward commotion. The passive voice is always used in the NT with a negative meaning, and refers to an unsettled mind, as here when Herod heard of the birth of the King of the Jews. Tarasso is used in two commands (present imperative with a negative - stop this or do not let it begin) from Jesus to disciples (and applicable to all believers) in Jn 14:1 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." and Jn 14:27 "“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." Sometimes we need to hear Jesus say this twice to us also, don't we! Matt. 2:3; Matt. 14:26; Mk. 6:50; Lk. 1:12; Lk. 24:38; Jn. 5:4; Jn. 5:7; Jn. 11:33; Jn. 12:27; Jn. 13:21; Jn. 14:1; Jn. 14:27; Acts 15:24; Acts 17:8; Acts 17:13; Gal. 1:7; Gal. 5:10; 1 Pet. 3:14 And all Jerusalem with him - Notice the adjective "ALL" while probably hyperbole is clearly speaking of the majority of the unholy populace of the Holy City! Why would the Holy City be so disturbed by the birth of the Holy One? Probably because they were not living holy lives. Certainly the religious leaders would have been disturbed as this true King of the Jews would threaten their power base and their false "religion" based on rabbinical traditions and not on the Word of Truth, the Bible. J C

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Spurgeon - - Those who look for Jesus will see him: those who truly see him will worship him: those who worship him will consecrate their substance to him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh - Their treasures implies they gave their best! In effect they were showing by their gifts the this King of the Jews was their greatest treasure! I am reminded that in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col 2:3+) He is our greatest Treasure in time and eternity! The principle is clear, if we would seek to worship Jesus well, we will unreservedly offer Him our best! The worship of the magi was associated with voluntary giving of gifts. The gifts were expensive gifts and were fit for a king. It is well attested that the Jewish expectation was that both Jews and non-Jews would bring the Messiah gifts While it may be somewhat fanciful, the early church Fathers understood the gold to be symbolic of Christ's deity, the frankincense of His purity, and the myrrh of His death (since it was used for embalming). Walvoord says "Unquestionably the gifts were chosen appropriately: gold for His deity and majesty, frankincense for the fragrance of His life and His intercession, myrrh for His sacrifice and death." Psalm 72:10-11 was written for Solomon but it looks beyond Solomon to One far greater, the future worship of the Messiah "Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. And let all kings bow down before him, All nations serve him." Treasures (2344)(thesauros from títhemi = put, set) refers to the place where goods and precious things are stored for safekeeping here referring to in essence a "treasure chest." Presented (4374)(prosphero from prós = to, toward, denotes motion toward a place + phéro = bring) means to carry or bring something into the presence of someone usually implying a transfer of something to that person carry to. Prosphero refers to the presentation of an offering, in this case the magi's (doron). This first use of prophero in the NT in giving an offering to Jesus in the atmosphere of worship and reverence is in striking contrast to the use of prophero as He was being Himself offered up as an offering to God (cf Jn 1:29) and they approached Him and brought (prosphero) sour wine up to His mouth (Jn 19:29)! The first "offering" at His birth to Him in a Cradle, the last offering at His death, to Him on a Cross! Oh my! Gifts (1435)(doron) is that which is given or granted and stresses the gratuitous character of the gift which is voluntarily transferred by one to another without compensation and here refers to a gift presented as an act of worship and devotion. Almost all 17 uses of doron refer to offerings to God (except Eph 2:8 Rev 11:10). While the intent of the gifts was pure worship, there is another possible benefit of the expensive gifts from the magi, for Joseph and Mary would soon have to take the Christ Child to Egypt to escape the murderous designs of Herod. The gifts of the magi would have provided funds needed to make the trip and provide for living expenses. True worship enables the work of God to go forward. Fruchtenbaum - The Wise Men gave to Jesus three types of gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. All of these are full of Old Testament symbolism: gold is the symbol of royalty or kingship, emphasizing that Jesus is a king; frankincense is the symbol of deity because frankincense was part of the special scent burned on the Altar of Incense within the Holy Place and the smoke penetrated into God’s presence in the Holy of Holies itself, thus frankincense emphasizes Jesus is God; myrrh was associated in the Old Testament with death and embalming. While the first line of that famous Christmas song “We three kings of orient are” is not biblically accurate, the last line which says, “God and king and sacrifice” certainly is! (Messianic Christology) The Best of All Places "Sitting at the feet of Jesus" Luke 10:39+ We learn in the Gospels of nine prostrations before the Saviour. 1, Wise men (Matthew 2:11+); 2, Jarius (Mark 5:22+); 3, Women healed (Mark 5:33+); 4, Syrophenician women (Mark 7:25+); 5, Peter, (Luke 5:8+); 6, The Leper (Luke 5:12+); 7, The Gadarene (Luke 8:28+); 8, The Samaritan (Luke 17:16+); 9, Mary (John 11:32). I. Mary Learned the Secret of His Person at Jesus Feet (Luke 10:42+) Only at His feet can we be taught by Him. Cumbered and worried with much service we will never have time to be at His feet. If we have not time to sit there we will not have time to learn. II. Mary Learned the Secret of His Purpose at Jesus Feet (John 11:32) Only there could she understand why Lazarus died and why Martha and herself must be plunged into the deepest sorrow. To the grave she led him and there at the very place of deepest sorrow, came the highest joy. III. Mary Learned the Secret of His Passion at Jesus Feet This was revealed when she anointed Him for His burial. The secret was out and everywhere her testimony has been told. See Matthew 26:12-13. As I write this I help to fulfil the Lord's prophecy. Do you sit at Jesus feet? Have you learned these three secrets? - Ian Paisley Gotquestions comments that - Displaying a Christmas nativity scene is a long-standing tradition, but it can also present a bit of a skewed view of the actual events of Jesus’ birth. While each person depicted in a traditional nativity scene is a part of the Christmas story, not all the characters were present in one place on the night Jesus was born. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were in a stable that night due to the overcrowding in Bethlehem’s inn (Luke 2:7), but the Bible never mentions whether or not animals were present—in fact, it never even mentions a stable. The shepherds, once told of Jesus’ arrival, left their flocks to worship the newborn King (Luke 2:16). However, the angels, which are often part of nativity scenes, bore the good news to the shepherds in the fields (Luke 2:8–14). As far as we know, there were no angels flying visibly over the place where Jesus was when the shepherds arrived. In addition, the wise men (the Bible never says how many there were) were also probably not present that first night. The magi visited Jesus some time later, when He was in a house (Matthew 2:1–11). Despite these small details, a Christmas nativity scene is a wonderful reminder of what happened the night Jesus was born. Ever since Adam and Eve’s sin, our relationship with God has been marred and broken (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). Out of love, God sent His Son in human form “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). To that end, Jesus Christ was born in the town of Bethlehem. Modern Christmas nativity scenes help to proclaim Christ’s birth and the true “reason for the season.” (What is a Christmas nativity?) F B

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Spurgeon on Nazarene - He meant that the prophets have described the Messiah as one that would be despised and rejected of men. They spoke of him as a great prince and conqueror when they described his second coming, but they set forth his first coming when they spoke of him as a root out of a dry ground without form or comeliness, who when he should be seen would have no beauty that men should desire him. The prophets said that he would be called by a despicable title, and it was so, for his countrymen called him a Nazarene.....Certainly he has long been called a ‘Nazarene,’ both by Jews and violent unbelievers. Spitting on the ground in disgust, many a time has his fierce adversary hissed out the name ‘Nazarene,’ as if it were the climax of contempt.....There is always some city or village or another whose inhabitants seem to be the butt of every joke and the object of scorn. The people of such places are thought to be low, uncultured, not-very-smart. That is the kind of place Nazareth was. Nazarene (3480)(Nazoraios) means an inhabitant of Nazareth and all uses refer to Jesus the Nazarene, with the exception of Acts 24:5+ which refers to Christians in a derogatory sense.