Mateus 2
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 2
Wiersbe notes that "In order to understand this fulfillment, we must review Jewish history. The first mention of Bethlehem in Scripture is in connection with the death of Jacob’s favorite wife, Rachel (Gen. 35:16–20). Rachel died giving birth to a son whom she named Benoni, “son of my sorrow.” Jacob renamed his son Benjamin, “son of my right hand.” Both of these names relate to Jesus Christ, for He was a “man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3), and He is now the Son of God’s right hand (Acts 5:31; Heb. 1:3). Jacob put up a pillar to mark Rachel’s grave which is near Bethlehem. Jeremiah’s prophecy was given about 600 years before Christ was born. It grew out of the captivity of Jerusalem. Some of the captives were taken to Ramah in Benjamin, near Jerusalem; and this reminded Jeremiah of Jacob’s sorrow when Rachel died. However, now it was Rachel who was weeping. She represented the mothers of Israel weeping as they saw their sons going into captivity. It was as though Rachel said, “I gave my life to bear a son, and now his descendants are no more.” Jacob saw Bethlehem as a place of death, but the birth of Jesus made it a place of life! Because of His coming, there would be spiritual deliverance for Israel and, in the future, the establishment of David’s throne and kingdom. Israel, “the son of my sorrow,” would one day become “the son of My right hand.” Jeremiah gave a promise to the nation that they would be restored to their land again (Jer. 31:16–17), and this promise was fulfilled. But he gave an even greater promise that the nation would be regathered in the future, and the kingdom established (Jer. 31:27ff). This promise shall also be fulfilled. Very few people today think of Bethlehem as a burial place; they think of it as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. And because He died for us and rose again, we have a bright future before us. We shall live forever with Him in that glorious city where death is no more and where tears never fall. (BEC) RACHEL WEEPING (klauthmos) FOR HER CHILDREN (teknon); AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED (parakaleo), BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE: The massacre of the innocents recalls Jeremiah's prophecy lamenting the captivity of Rachel's descendants (Jer 31:15+). Ramah is located between 5.5-8 mi north of Jerusalem and was the scene of the gathering of the exiles. As they pass Ramah, Jeremiah pictures Rachel's weeping from her tomb over the fate of the fallen Ephraimites. Jeremiah uses this tragic event to introduce his description of the new covenant (Jer 31:31-34+). Although the parallelism of sentiment between the Exile and Herod's atrocity is evident, Matthew employs the event to introduce the new covenant which Jesus has come to inaugurate in fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy. The prophet (4396) see note above on prophetes John Butler comments that "Abortion makes Herod's act look like a Sunday School picnic. We kill millions and millions of babies every year and the news media yawns and turns the other way. What we need to learn is that there is a relationship between our lack of affection for Christ and our abortion acts. In fact much evil in our land goes back to our bad attitude for Jesus Christ. The politicians do not understand this for they are part of the problem and they pass laws to allow evil which they cannot control. Those who defend abortion are not friends of Christ. They have more in common with Herod than with Christ." Related Resource: What is the Massacre of the Innocents? Matthew 2:19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, NET After Herod had died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt GNT Τελευτήσαντος δὲ τοῦ Ἡρῴδου ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος κυρίου φαίνεται κατ᾽ ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ NLT When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. KJV But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, ESV But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, NIV After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt Herod - Ps 76:10 Isa 51:12 Da 8:25 11:45 an angel - Mt 2:13 1:20 Ps 139:7 Jer 30:10 Eze 11:16 HEROD'S DEATH MARKS RETURN FROM EGYPT But (term of contrast) when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said - Notice God's perfect timing when Herod died. His timing is perfect in our lives also beloved. Herod the Great died in 4 B.C. and his kingdom was divided up among his three sons: Archelaus, who ruled over Judea (where Bethlehem was located, Mt 2:22); Philip, who became tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis (cf. Lk 3:1); and Antipas, who became tetrarch of Galilee (location of Nazareth). Heb 1:1+ says God "spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways" and here speaks in a dream. Broadus on when Herod died - The death of Herod (comp. on v. 1) occurred in the spring (just before the Passover) of the year of Rome 750. Josephus mentions an eclipse of the moon (“Ant.,” 17, 6, 4) as taking place shortly before his death, and astronomical calculations enable us to fix the year with practical certainty. (Wieseler, Andrews, Caspari, Nicholson.) The birth of Jesus must have preceded Herod’s death by several months, if not longer, and must therefore have occurred at least four years before the common Christian era, the first year of which coincides with the year of Rome 754. The poor old tyrant died of a most loathsome and torturing disease (see Jos. “Ant.,” 17, 6, 5), in the seventieth year of his life, and the thirty-seventh of his nominal, or thirty-fourth of his actual reign. (Jos. “War,” 1, 33, 8; “Ant.,” 17, 8, 1.) Died (5053)(teleutao) means to complete, to come to an end, hence to die. Note especially Mt 9:18+ and Jn 11:39 which refer to persons raised from the dead by Jesus. Friberg - "intransitively in the NT come to an end; euphemistically die." Thayer - "to have an end or close, come to an end; hence, to die, very often so from Aeschylus and Herodotus down." Liddell-Scott - to complete, finish, accomplish (to fulfil an oath or promise; to bring about an evil day for one), to bring to an end, esp. to finish life, i.e. to die. Intransitively. 1. to be accomplished, Id. 2. to come to an end. Teleutao - 13x in 13v - deceased (1), die (4), died (5), dying (1), put (2). - Mt. 2:19; Mt. 9:18+; Mt. 15:4; Mt. 22:25; Mk. 7:10; Mk. 9:44; Mk. 9:46; Mk. 9:48; Lk. 7:2 (" was sick and about to die."); Jn 11:39 ("Martha, the sister of the deceased"); Acts 2:29+ ("the patriarch David that he both died and was buried"); Acts 7:15+; Heb. 11:22+ Teleutao in the Septuagint - In the Septuagint teleutao almost always translates the Hebrew term mûth, meaning “die” or “end one’s life,” especially in reference to physical death. Ge. 6:17 (Heb = gava = perish; Lxx = teleutao); Gen. 25:32; Gen. 30:1; Gen. 44:31; Gen. 50:16; Gen. 50:26; Exod. 1:6; Exod. 2:23; Exod. 4:19; Exod. 7:18; Exod. 7:21; Exod. 8:13; Exod. 9:4; Exod. 9:6; Exod. 9:7; Exod. 9:19; Exod. 11:5; Exod. 19:12; Exod. 21:16; Exod. 21:17; Exod. 21:34; Exod. 21:35; Exod. 21:36; Exod. 22:10; Exod. 35:2; Lev. 16:1; Lev. 21:11; Lev. 24:16; Num. 3:4; Num. 6:6; Num. 20:1; Num. 35:16; Deut. 17:5; Deut. 25:6; Deut. 32:50; Deut. 34:5; Deut. 34:7; Jos. 1:2; Jos. 24:33; Jdg. 2:8; 1 Chr. 29:28; 2 Chr. 13:20; 2 Chr. 16:13; 2 Chr. 24:15; Job 1:19; Job 2:9; Job 3:11; Job 12:2; Job 14:8; Job 14:10; Job 21:25; Job 27:15; Job 34:15; Job 42:17; Prov. 5:23; Prov. 10:21; Prov. 11:7; Prov. 15:10; Isa. 66:24; Jer. 11:22; Ezek. 6:12; Ezek. 7:15; Ezek. 12:13; Ezek. 17:16; Ezek. 18:17; Amos 7:11; Amos 7:17; Amos 9:10; Note that this is an angel of the Lord, not "the Angel of the LORD" (OT Christophany), but a literal angel created by the the Angel of the LORD. Presumably this is the same angel as in Mt 2:13 who declared "remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” And now he tells Joseph. Behold (2400)(idou) is the second person singular aorist middle imperative of eidon which means to see, perceive, look at. In the NT idou is used as a demonstrative particle that draws attention to what follows. Idou in the middle voice means "you yourself look, see, perceive!" The aorist imperative is a command emphasizing "Do it now! Don't delay!"
Mateus 2
Wiersbe adds that "We cannot help but admire Joseph for his faithfulness in obeying God and caring for both Mary and Jesus." (Expository Outlines) Arnold Fruchtenbaum - They would have spent one to two years in Egypt, based on Josephus’ account of Herod dying in Jericho in 4 B.C. Henry Morris suggests that "Joseph apparently intended to return to the house in Bethlehem (Mt 2:9) where they had been living before their quick flight to Egypt. Instead, in response to another divine warning (Mt 2:22), he took the family back to Nazareth where they had lived before journeying to Bethlehem. The parallel account in Luke makes no mention of the visit of the Magi or of the flight to Egypt. It simply notes that they returned to Nazareth after a short visit to Jerusalem to dedicate Jesus to the Lord and to offer the appropriate sacrifice after his mother's month of purification (Lu 2:21-24,39 Lev 12:1-8). They evidently had returned to Bethlehem from Jerusalem, which was only a few miles away, by the time that the Magi came several months later." (Defender's Study Bible)
Mateus 2
Wiersbe asks "What were the responses to His birth? Creation responded by putting a miraculous star in the heavens to tell the world a King had been born (Nu 24:17). The Gentiles responded by worshiping Him and bringing Him gifts. Matthew shows early in his book that Jesus came to save Gentiles as well as Jews. The wise men were astrologer-scientists who studied the heavens. The star led them to the Scriptures, and the Scriptures led them to the Savior. (See Ps. 19.) God speaks to us in ways we can understand. (ED: But as noted below, they may have had access to the "Daniel Papers!") Herod responded with fear and deception. He wanted no new King to threaten his reign. The chief priests and scribes gave the right information but the wrong response. They were only five miles away from the Messiah, yet they refused to go to see Him! What good is it to understand Bible prophecy if it doesn’t make a difference in your life? (With the Word Commentary) Matthew 2:2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." NET saying, "Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." GNT λέγοντες, Ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ τεχθεὶς βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων; εἴδομεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ. NLT Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him." KJV 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. ESV saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." NIV and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." born - Mt 21:5 Ps 2:6 Isa 9:6,7 Isa 32:1,2 Jer 23:5 Zec 9:9 Lu 2:11 19:38 Lu 23:3,38 Joh 1:49 12:13 18:37 19:12-15,19 His - Nu 24:17 Isa 60:3 Lu 1:78,79 Rev 22:16 worship - Mt 2:10,11 Ps 45:11 Joh 5:23 9:38 20:28 Heb 1:6 THE PURPOSE OF THE MAGI - WORSHIP! Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? - This is the essence of the story - Jesus is to be the King of the Jews. In Mt 2:4 the King of the Jews is equated with the Messiah! Jesus did not assume His throne in His first advent, but rest assured He will be the King of the Jews in His Second Coming for He will return as King of kings (Rev 19:16+), set up His Messianic Kingdom and reign from His throne in Jerusalem. Imagine the threat that such a question posed to Herod the Great, for he considered himself "King of the Jews." (cf "Herod the king" in Mt 2:3) No wonder Herod was "troubled" (Matthew 2:3). While we do know that nature was a witness to the Creator (Ps. 19:1-6) and that He had set eternity in their hearts (Eccl. 3:11), that is only natural revelation which will not accomplish salvation (contrary to some having taught the Gospel is in the stars). The wise men would have needed wise, special revelation. (See also How did people know about God before the Bible?) King of my life I crown Thee now— Thine shall the glory be; Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary. —Hussey Jesus is King of our lives, so we must serve Him all of our lives. Notice that for the magi to even ask this question about the King of the Jews clearly indicates that they had divine revelation from some source. They simply could not have known this of their own accord. What was the source? We cannot be certain. There are a number of prophecies that allude to Messiah as King and considering that Daniel was captive in Babylon (in the east), and wrote his prophecies while in Babylon, and Da 2:4-7:28 were in Aramaic, the common language of the land (cf Da 12:4+), it is certainly possible that the magi had access to his prophecies which would have included predictions of a great King such as the ones below: I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man (THE MESSIAH) was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days (GOD THE FATHER) And was presented before Him. “And to Him (THE MESSIAH) was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom (CLEARLY INDICATING HE WOULD BE THE KING OVER THIS KINGDOM), That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. (Da 7:13-14+) ‘Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’ (Da 7:27+) Arnold Fruchtenbaum makes an interesting comment - Daniel saved the lives of all the astrologers by correctly interpreting the king’s dream, and many must have become believers in Daniel’s God through this. No doubt many of these men turned from worshipping the stars to worshipping the Creator of the stars. So this body of “wise men” most likely had Daniel’s writings from which to determine the time of Messiah’s coming. As to the knowledge of the star being the herald, they also may have had the book of Numbers. Read Numbers 24:17. Why may they have had this book? There is another Babylonian connection here. Balaam was a Babylonian astrologer (Deuteronomy 23:4 “Balaam son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia- that is on the banks of the Euphrates river in Babylonia). He was probably from the Babylonian School of Astrology. One other point that is worth noting is that the magi could have known about when the Messiah would have been born from studying (and having the Spirit open their eyes) Daniel's great prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27. However even Daniel's prophecies say nothing about HIS STAR, which must remain a mystery until Heaven (cf Dt 29:29 = “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.") Da 9:24+ Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. Da 9:25+ “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; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. Da 9:26+ “Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. Da 9:27+ “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.” Compare Jesus fateful words of warning in Luke 19:41-44+ When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, 42saying, “If you had known in this day (JESUS' POINT IS THAT THEY COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS DAY - HOW? FROM DANIEL'S PROPHECY ABOVE!), even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. 43 “For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, (ROMAN DESTRUCTION OF TEMPLE BY TITUS IN 70 AD) 44 and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” In addition there are other OT prophecies which speak of Messiah as King: Psalm 2:6 “But as for Me (GOD THE FATHER), I have installed My KING (GOD THE SON, MESSIAH) Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” Psalm 48:1-2 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion in the far north, The city of the great KING . Psalm 110:1-2 A Psalm of David. The LORD (GOD THE FATHER) says to my Lord (GOD THE SON, MESSIAH): “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your (MESSIAH'S) enemies a footstool for Your feet.” 2 The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion (A KING POSSESSES A SCEPTER), saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” Isaiah 9:6; 7+ For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom (JESUS THE KING), To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 32:1; 2 Behold, a KING (MESSIAH) will reign righteously And princes will rule justly. 2 Each will be like a refuge from the wind And a shelter from the storm, Like streams of water in a dry country, Like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land. Jeremiah 23:5 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as KING and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land. Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your KING is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Comment - Note that Matthew quotes this passage in Mt 21:4-5 (This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, ‘BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.’”) as fulfilled by Jesus as He entered Jerusalem riding a colt down the Mount of Olives (Lk 19:37+) to begin His "Passion Week" - "The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting (Ps 118:26), “Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!” " (Mt 21:9). Luke has the crowd "shouting: “BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Lk 19:38+) Notice... (1) Matthew omits part of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 = "He is just and endowed with salvation." (Mt 21:5) (2) Matthew quotes Psalm 118:26 "BLESSED IS HE..." while Luke quotes it "BLESSED IS THE KING...." But only a few days later the Jews denied Jesus was their KING and "cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your KING?” The chief priests answered, “We have no KING, but Caesar.” " (Jn 19:15) Can you see the tragic irony - At the beginning of His life on earth, the Gentiles (magi) acclaimed Jesus as KING of the Jews, whereas at the end of His life, the Jews denied He was their KING!
Mateus 2
Wiersbe adds that "Just as Satan had tried to keep Christ from being born, now he tried to destroy Him after He was born (see Rev. 12:1–4). The flesh wars against the Spirit (Gal 5:17), and Herod (an Edomite) warred against Christ (a Jew)." (Expository Outlines) Herod, The Actor Matthew 2:8 "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" (Matthew 2:8). Herod was acting very deceptive here in speaking with the wise men. He spoke some truth but not all truth. It was obvious that he did not belong in the 'truthful' category but in the 'lying' category. FIRST—THE WAY PROCLAIMED "He sent them to Bethlehem." Bethlehem was just five miles south. The wise men had asked where Christ was born. Herod called the religious leaders to him to tell him this fact. He obviously did it clandestinely, he wanted to look good in telling the wise men where to go. Then he called the wise men privately to ask about the star. Herod would use this inquiry of the wise men to advance his own evil plans (Matthew 2:13). He was like many evil people who will use tragedy, floods, sports, and whatever to promote themselves, to get their picture on the front page, to be interviewed by radio and TV, to get votes for himself or herself. It is the Jesse Jackson syndrome (QCT newspaper). SECOND—THE WORK PRECEPT "Go and search diligently for the young child." This was both guileful advice and good advice. Guileful advice. You will note Herod did not volunteer to help them search. He was like a lot of people, they can give good advice but they do not follow it themselves. Jesus said of the religious leaders of his day, who were like that, "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say and do not:" (Matthew 23:3). Good advice. We ought to search diligently in spiritual matters. "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found." (Isaiah 55:6). Lack of diligence in spiritual matters will curse a person with many missed blessings. Often folk are diligent where it doe not matter, but not where it matters. Folk will get up early to get their kid to soccer practice, but not for church. If church attendance requires any diligence they complain, for they reserve their diligence for carnal efforts. THIRD—THE WORSHIP PROMISED "When ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also." Herod promised that he too wanted to worship the Christ-child. It must have been a very convincing bit of subterfuge, for the wise men required a special revelation from God not to inform Herod of their finding the Christ-child (Matthew 2:12). Herod was so deceptive here. He feigned interest in Christ so he could destroy Him. Satan puts many in church like that. They feign an interest in spiritual matters to get their foot in the door, to get elected to office, and to be appointed as a teacher of some prestigious class, but then they become such problems to deal with at board meetings and business meetings that they actually are a liability and not an asset in the church. (John Butler - Sermon Starters - Volume 7) Matthew 2:9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. NET After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. GNT οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπορεύθησαν καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀστήρ, ὃν εἶδον ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ, προῆγεν αὐτούς, ἕως ἐλθὼν ἐστάθη ἐπάνω οὗ ἦν τὸ παιδίον. NLT After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. KJV 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. ESV After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. NIV After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. the star - Mt 2:2 Ps 25:12 Pr 2:1-6 8:17 2Pe 1:19 After hearing the king, they went their way - At this time they were doubtless duped by the deceiver Herod and had all intentions of returning as indicated by the fact that God had to give them a specific warning not to return. And the star, which they had seen in the east (see anatole), went on before them - This is not just "a" star, not just "any" star, but was "the star," identified as a specific star by use of the definitive article "the" (in Greek). The recognized something about the star that identified it as "His star." (Mt 2:2+) and so off they went on the short journey to Bethlehem. They knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was His star. How did they know? We simply do not know but won't Heaven be fun to talk with them about their journey of a lifetime! Went on before is proago in the imperfect tense picturing the star as going on an on in front of them toward it's target. They knew the town was Bethlehem but the star was directing them to the specific location of the Child. THOUGHT- The supernatural light of God gave direction to the wise men in their search for Jesus. Today that same supernatural light comes from His Word and gives light for those seeking Jesus. Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life Psalms 119:105 Nun. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; Until it came and stood over the place where the Child was - Passages like this should simply cause us to pause and worship Him Who created the stars, the One "Who makes the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south; Who does great things, unfathomable, and wondrous works without number." (Job 9:9-10) When we get glimpses into God's mysterious omnipotent workings as in this passage, I am always reminded of the words of Job "Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; and how faint a word we hear of Him!" (Job 26:14) That the star stood over the place where the Child was is the idea is that it "hovered" over where Jesus was! Will God show us these wonderful workings some day in Heaven? I pray so! Child (3813)(paidion diminutive of pais = child) is a little child of either sex, ranging from an infant (Mt 19:13, 14; Mk 10:13-15; Lk 18:16, 17, etc) to children who are older (Mt 11:16; Mt 14:21; 15:38; 18:2-5, etc) Paidion is used repeatedly of the infant Jesus in Matthew Matt. 2:8; Matt. 2:9; Matt. 2:11; Matt. 2:13; Matt. 2:14; Matt. 2:20; Matt. 2:21. Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. NET When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. GNT ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα. NLT When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! KJV When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. ESV When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. NIV When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. they rejoiced - De 32:13 Ps 67:4 105:3 Lu 2:10,20 Ac 13:46-48 Ro 15:9-13 UNSPEAKABLE INCOMPARABLE JOY When they saw the star - It was "the (specific) star," His star. And why did they rejoice? Because the star signaled the goal of their long journey and the anticipation of seeing Jesus brought them great joy. THOUGHT - The hope (absolute certainty, not "hope so" but "hope sure") that we as believers will one day (SOON) see our Savior face to face (the Goal of our life's journey) ought to stir in our hearts exceedingly great joy today! Are you downcast, despairing? Then preach to your soul to hope in God (Ps 43:5). Ponder your future appointment with Jesus the Lover of your soul. Let that thought invigorate your heart. We need to heed Peter's exhortation to "prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13) We need to obey Paul's command to "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." (Col 3:2-4) And we need to heed the exhortation of the writer of Hebrews to fix "our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:2). They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy - The NET rendering is very weak "they shouted joyfully." Matthew could have simply said "they rejoiced" and we would have understood him. Instead, he piles up words that literally read "they rejoiced with exceeding great joy" Rejoiced is chairo means to enjoy a state of gladness, to be delighted. Exceedingly is sphroda an adverb meaning extremely, greatly, very much. Great is megas which means out of the ordinary in degree, magnitude, or effect. And finally joy is chara is a feeling of great pleasure, of inner gladness, or of delight, an emotion evoked by a sense of well-being and a deep feeling of happiness and contentment. It is almost as if they could not experience a greater degree of joy. So as stated above their "over the top" joy was because of their anticipation at their imminent meeting with the real "Star," the King of the Jews! The reaction of these Gentile magi recalls a similar reaction of the Jewish shepherds.... (Lk 2:10) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; (Lk 2:20) The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. John Butler observes that "Herod was not rejoicing (HE WAS TROUBLED. HE WAS SCHEMING). Evil people are too busy doing evil to rejoice and to know joy. Their joy is hallow, unreal, superficial, but when God gives joy, it supersedes anything the world has to offer. The wise men knew tremendous joy because Christ was their focus. He is the key to true joy. There is no true joy apart from Jesus. (John Butler - Sermon Starters - Volume 7) As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold; As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright, So, now gracious Lord, may we, Even more be led to Thee. William C. Dix Matthew
Mateus 2
Wiersbe quips that "Joseph used his “sanctified common sense” and did not return to Judea. God affirmed the decision, and the family moved to Nazareth." Matthew 2:23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: "He shall be called a Nazarene." NET He came to a town called Nazareth and lived there. Then what had been spoken by the prophets was fulfilled, that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. GNT καὶ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς πόλιν λεγομένην Ναζαρέτ· ὅπως πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν ὅτι Ναζωραῖος κληθήσεται. NLT So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: "He will be called a Nazarene." KJV 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. ESV And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. NIV and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene." Nazareth - Joh 18:5,7 19:19 Acts 2:22 He shall - Mt 26:71 Nu 6:13 Judges 13:5 1Sa 1:11 Ps 69:9,10 Isa 53:1,2 Am 2:10-12 Joh 1:45,46 Ac 24:5 And came and lived in a city called Nazareth (See another map which shows Jerusalem or here) - That they came and lived here makes sense as Nazareth is where Gabriel was sent to announce to Mary she would be the mother of Jesus (Lk 1:26-30, cf Lk 2:4). Nazareth was a no name town, thought to be home of nobody, but when Joseph moved his family there after returning from Egypt, Nazareth became the home of the greatest Somebody in the history of the world! But when looked at in the historical context (see more on Nazareth below), Jesus came out of a region (Galilee) and town (Nazareth) that were held in low esteem by most Jews, especially the Jews in Judea. While not everyone agrees with the following interpretation Barbieri notes that "Isaiah said the Messiah would be “from [Jesse’s] roots” like “a Branch” (Isa. 11:1). “Branch” is the Hebrew word neṣer, which has consonants like those in the word “Nazarene” and which carry the idea of having an insignificant beginning. (BKC) Nazareth (3478)(Nazaret) is a transliteration of the Greek word. It is located about 14 miles west, southwest from the Sea of Galilee, 6 miles west and NW of Mount Tabor and about 60 miles due north of Jerusalem. Mark refers to it as "Nazareth in Galilee" (Mk 1:9). Nazareth had such a low reputation, it was not even mentioned in the Old Testament, Josephus, the Talmud or even any of the classic Greek writers before the time of Christ! While the region of Galilee in Jesus' day generally had a negative reputation, and was looked down on by Judeans (Jerusalem and Bethlehem were in Judea), Nazareth was even more looked down upon. In Jn 1:46 "Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see (REFERRING TO MESSIAH)." There were no rabbinic schools in Galilee in Jesus' day for they were all in Judea. The rabbis had a saying “if you want to get rich, go north, if to get wise, go south.” It was situated on a mountain (Luke 4:29) within the province of Galilee (Mark 1:9) and near Cana (John 2:1, 2, 11). There was a precipice near the town from which the people proposed to cast Jesus (Luke 4:29). The angel appeared to Mary at Nazareth, which was also the home of Joseph (Luke 1:26; Lk 2:39). Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth after their flight into Egypt (Mt 2:23). Jesus preached in its synagogue, but was rejected by the people. He was known as "Jesus of Nazareth" (see "the Nazarene" = Acts 2:22; 3:6; 4:10; 6:14) and His disciples were called Nazarenes. When the Turks conquered Palestine in a.d. 1517, the Christians were driven from the town. In a.d. 1620 the Franciscan monks gained a foothold there and began to rebuild the village. At the Battle of Mount Tabor in a.d. 1799, Napoleon and his army encamped near Nazareth. Nazaret is cited in both literature (Eusebius HE i.7.6-12) and inscriptions (Israel Exploration Journal 12 [1962] 137ff.), and archaeological discoveries have confirmed a continuous habitation of the site since ca. 900 b.c. See notes on "The Puzzling Problem of Nazareth" Nazareth - 12x in 12v and not in Septuagint- Matthew 2:23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 4:13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. Matthew 21:11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.” Mark 1:9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, Luke 2:4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, Luke 2:39 When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. Luke 2:51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. Luke 4:16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and *said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote–Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Acts 10:38 “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Some have suggested that “Nazarene” is a reference to the Heb. word for branch in Isaiah 11:1. Others point out that Matthew’s statement that “prophets” had made this prediction may be a reference to verbal prophecies nowhere recorded in the OT. A still more likely explanation is that Matthew is using “Nazarene” as a synonym for someone who is despised or detestable—for that was how people from the region were often characterized (cf. John 1:46). If that is the case, the prophecies Matthew has in mind would include Ps. 22:6–8; Is. 49:7; 53:3. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: "He shall be called a Nazarene." - This is the fourth of four fulfilled prophecies in Matthew - (1) Mt 2:6 fulfilled Micah 5:2 (2) Mt 2:15 fulfilled Hosea 11:1 (3) Mt 2:18 fulfilled Jeremiah 31:15 and (4) Mt 2:23 is said to "fulfill what was spoken through the prophets. There is however no specific Old Testament prophecy or prophecies that can be definitely linked to Matthew 2:23. See discussion below on OT quotes in the NT. THOUGHT - The phrase spoken through the prophets is interesting indicating that the prophets did not just record these words but spoke them. And if they spoke what God's Spirit inspired them to speak (2 Pe 1:21+), when we read their "spoken words," we are reading the words God Himself had spoken. In short, when the Bible speaks, God speaks. Oh, how we need to continually go to this Holy Book to hear from our Father! Are you in the Book every day, so that the Book can get into you and renew your mind? If not, then rest assured that your mind is being "unrenewed" (so to speak) by the godless, God hating world system that bombards us with it's vile anti-God propaganda under the guise of advertisements, etc. Was to fulfill (4137) see note above on pleroo Prophets (4396) see note above on prophetes