Mateus 2

Mateus 2

Constable adds that "Some of the Jews—particularly the Essenes whom Herod did not consult, but not the Sadducees and Pharisees—were expecting a Messiah to appear soon because of Daniel 9:24–27+ (ED: SEE ESPECIALLY PREDICTION OF MESSIAH'S COMING IN Da 9:25 see note = "So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks." cf JESUS' WARNING - "“If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace!...." - see note on Lk 19:42). Daniel had been a wise man in the East also." Messiah (literally Christ)(5547)(Christos from chrio = to rub or anoint, consecrate to an office) describes one who has been anointed with oil, one who has been consecrated. The majority of the NT uses refer to Jesus. Christos describes Jesus as the "Anointed One" the Greek synonym for "Messiah (Anointed One). Inquired (ask)(4441)(punthanomai means to inquire, ask, seek to learn usually from someone (Mt 2:4; Lk 15:26; 18:36; Jn 4:52; Acts 4:7; 10:18, 29; 21:33; 23:19f. The word carries the sense of asking by inquiry, rather than asking by making a request to receive Inquiry Of Ignorance Matthew 2:4 "And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born" The wise men had asked where this special person was bom and Herod would find out for them in spite of his spiritual ignorance. FIRST—HIS SYCOPHANTS "He . . . gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together." Herod had the religious leaders as sycophants. They fawned his person for special favors. Therefore it was no trick for him to gather the religious leaders together to learn where the Christ-child was born. There are always those ministers who are more interested in political clout then they are in spiritual clout. They prefer the recognition of the powers that be to the recognition of the Power that is, namely, God. "They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:43). If they prefer Christ, they will be secret disciples like Joseph of Arimathaea. They equate respect for high office with fawning of high officers (though evil). We could do without this kind. One can easily imagine how honored these religious leaders would be to be invited to give Herod some spiritual advice. In their long and decorative robes they would vie with one another to be the closet to wicked Herod so they could boast about it at the next Sanhedrin meeting. SECOND—HIS SERIOUSNESS "Demanded." The translation is a bit strong. It means simply to inquire, to seek information etc. But the tense of the verb gives away the seriousness of Herod. It is in the perfect tense which means Herod continually asked them where Christ would be born. You can see why the translators used "demanded." Herod was a worried man. "King of the Jews" (Matthew 2:2) upset him and he looked at Christ as an usurper. He must know where Christ is to be born so he can take immediate action to stop the Christ-child from taking Herod's prestigious and powerful throne. Herod was very serious in his inquiry. He did not 'demand' as we think of 'demanding' today, but his continual repeating of his request showed his agitation. THIRD—HIS STUPIDITY "He demanded of them where Christ should be born." Herod was spiritually a dunce. He did not know the important facts spiritually. He obviously knew how to politic. He curried Rome into making him a very powerful ruler over Israel. But he did not know much spiritually. He would get along well with our politicians today. Be they Republican or Democrat, they all have one thing in common—they know little, if anything about spiritual matters. They know how get elected again and again but they do not know anything much where it really matters. They approve of things the Bible condemns (abortion, homosexualism, gambling, and booze) and do not seem to realize that the solution to the world's problems is being in deference to Christ. (John Butler - Sermon Starters - Volume 7) Matthew 2:5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: NET "In Bethlehem of Judea," they said, "for it is written this way by the prophet: GNT οἱ δὲ εἶπαν αὐτῷ, Ἐν Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας· οὕτως γὰρ γέγραπται διὰ τοῦ προφήτου· NLT "In Bethlehem in Judea," they said, "for this is what the prophet wrote: KJV And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, ESV They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: NIV"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: Ge 35:19 Jos 19:15 Ru 1:1,19 2:4 4:11 1Sa 16:1 Events of Jesus' birth. See another map without captions. Holman Bible Atlas (digital; Hardcover) © 1998 B&H Publishing by permission. Please do not download or copy. BORN IN THE VERY CITY GOD PREDICTED They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet - This is interesting. They did not answer, we need to go back to our Scriptural scrolls and check this one out. They seem to know the answer (after Herod had inquired several times - see notes on Mt 2:4). This is sad when religious leaders know the answers but fail to communicate (much less even believe) the truth to those under their tutelage! The priests were to teach the people and they did apparently know the facts but there was a problem ( Ezek 44:23) There is no record of them going to Bethlehem! They know but refuse to go! Wow! John Walvoord - Matthew adroitly answers Jewish unbelief concerning Jesus Christ by quoting their own official body to the effect that the prophecy of His birth in Bethlehem was literal, that the Messiah was to be an individual, not the entire Jewish nation, and that their Messiah was to be a King who would rule over them. (Matthew - Thy Kingdom Come) J C