2:1__12 _Magi Report the star-sign of the Birth of "the King of Jews." As much as two years have passed since the events of chapter 1. Matthew highlights God's sovereign care in this infancy account of Jesus the King.
2:1 _Jesus birth in BETHLEHEM OF JUDEA, about 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Jerusalem, marks him as being from the tribe of Judah and from the city that produced the Davidic kings (RUTH 1:1, 19; 2:4;
1 SAMUEL 17:12, 15; See LUKE 2:4). HEROD THE KING (also commonly Herod 1 or Herod the Great) ruled Israel and Judah 37__4
B. C. He was an idumean, appointed king of the Jews under the authority of Rome. He ruled firmly and at times ruthlessly, murdering his own wife, serveral sons, and other relatives. He was a master builder who restored the temple in Jerusalem and built many theaters, cities, palaces, and fortresses. Herod's building programs included his palace at Jericho, the fortresses of Herodium, Machaeus, Sebaste, and Masada, the harbor and city of Caesarea Maritima (See ACTS 8:40)
2:1 _And especially the Jerusalem temple (JOHN 2:14). He also financed structures (including pagan temples) throughout the Roman Empire__at Antioch (ACTS 11:19), Nicopolis (TITUS 3:12), and Athens (ACTS 17:16). Herod ravaged by disease, died in his palace at Jericho (LUKE 19:1) and was buried at Herodium (Josephus, Jewish Antiquties 6:168__181). Excavations at Herodium since the 1960s have revealed the circular palace-fortress built atop its mountain, as well as the monumental building and huge pool below; in 2007 the excavator announced the discovery of Herod's mausoleum and sarcophagus. In earlier times, WISE MEN (Greek magoi, plural of magos) referred to priests and experts in mysteries in Persia and Babylon (Septuagint of DANIEL 1:20; 2:2, 10, 27; etc), but by this time it applied to a wide range of people whose practices included astrology, dream interpretation, study of sacred writings, the pursuit of wisdom, and magic.
2:2 _WE SAW HIS STAR WHEN IT ROSE. The wise men would likely have been familiar with OT prophecy through interaction with Jews in Babylon, and they may have remembered Balaam's prophecy that "A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel" (NUMBERS 24:17). This was understood by Jews to point to a messianic deliverer (Dead Sea Scrolls, Damascus Document 7. 18__21; Testimonia 9::13). The movement of the star (MATTHEW 2:9) suggests that it is not a natural phenomenon (a comet, supernova, or conjunction of planets) but was supernatural, perhaps a guiding angel that appeared as a star, or perhaps some specially created heavenly phenomenon that had the brightness of a star. HAVE COME TO WORSHIP HIM. The wise men likely traveled with a large number of attendants and guards for the long journey, which would have taken serveral weeks. For example, if they had come from Babylon by the main trade route of about 800 miles (1, 288 km), averaging 20 miles (32 km) per day, the trip would have taken about 40 days.
2:3 _HE WAS TROUBLED, AND ALL JERUSALEM WITH HIM.
The arrival of this true King of the Jews presents a threat to Herod the Great's throne and to Israel's corrupt religious and political leardership in Jerusalem (21:10).
2:4 _The CHIEF PRIESTS gave oversight to temple activities; SCRIBES were the official interpreters of the OT (See 8:19). The concept of "King of the Jews" had become associated with THE CHRIST, the Messiah.
2:5__6 _BETHLEHEM was BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE RULERS OF JUDAH, because it would be the birthplace of the future ruler, the Messiah (MICAH 5:2). The quotation also alludes to a shepherding theme cited at David's coronationas king over Israel (2 SAMUEL 5:2).
2:9 _THE STAR . . . WENT BEFORE THEM. Bethlehem was only 6 miles (9.7 km) from Jerusalem, almost directly south, so this implies very specific, localized guidance from the traveling star, which CAME TO REST over the young Jesus specific location.
2:11 _The wise men did not arrive at the time of Jesus birth in a manger, but up to two years later, when Jesus was living in a HOUSE (See verse 16). WORSHIPED HIM it is doubtful that these quasi-pagan religious men understood Jesus divine nature, but their actions were unknowingly appropiate and wonderfully foreshadowed the worship of Jesus by all the Gentile nations 28:19; ROMANS 1:5; PHILIPPIANS 2:9__11; REVELATION 7:9__10; 21:24), GOLD AND FRANKINCENSEAND MYRRH. The number of gifts contributed to the tradition that there were three men, but the actual number is unknown. Frankincense is resin used ceremonially for the only incense permitted on the alter (EXODUS 30:9, 34__38). Myrrh is sap used in incense and perfume and as a stimulant tonic. The gifts were likely used providentially to support the family in their flight to Eygpt. (MATTHEW 2:13__15),
2:13__23 _OT prophecies Are fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah. Matthew explains how Jesus personal history repeats certain aspects of Israel's national history.
2:13 _FLEE TO EGYPT. The Egyptian border lay approximately 90 miles (146 km) from Bethlehem. Jesus and his family would be safe from Herod the Great in Egypt, since it was outside his jurisdiction.
2:15 _FULLFILL. The prophet Hosea recounted how God had faithfully brought Israel out of Egypt in the exodus (HOSEA 2:15), which Matthew cites in comparing Israel, God's "son," being rescued and delivered, to Jesus, the One who will be revealed as God's true son.
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 earlier query to the wise men about the time of the appearing of the star (Verse 7) gave him an estimated time of birth for his potential challenger.
2:17__18 _Jeremaih used personification to describe the mothers of Israel (RACHEL) mourning for their CHILDREN who had been removed from the land and carried off into exile, leaving Israel no longer a nation and considered dead (JEREMAIH 31:15). Like the exile, the attempt on Jesus life was intended to wipe out the chosen one of God.
2:22 _ARCHELAUS, one of Herod the Great's sons, succeeded Herod's throne over Judea, Samaria, and Idumea and ruled 4 B.C.__A.D. 6. He was hated by the Jews and displayed the same kind of cruelty that had characterized his father's reign. Ceasar Augustus, fearing a revolution from the people, deposed and banished him to Gaul.
2:23 _NAZARETH, in the lower Galilean hills halfway between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee, was a relatively small village (population estimates vary from 200 to 1,600). Luke 1:26__27 and 2:39 indicate that Joseph and Mary had earlier come from Nazareth. HE WOULD BE CALLED A NAZARENE. Matthew is not quoting any soecific OT prophecy but is referring to a general theme in the OT PROPHETS (plural). Thus Matthew is saying that the OT prophets foretold that the Mesiah would be despoised (See PSALM 22:6; ISAIAH 49:7; 53:3; Danuel 9:26), comparable to the way in which the town of Nazareth was despised in the time of Jesus (JOHN 1:46; 7:41, 52). Matthew may also have intended a wordplay connecting the word "Nazareth" to the OT messianic prophecy in Isaiah 11:1, Since "Nazareth" sounds like the word for "branch" in Hebrew, which was a designation for the Messiah "Nazarene" has no evident connection with the OT "Nazirite" vow (NUMBERS 6:2; JUDGES 13:5), which is spelled differently, has no messianic significance, and has no connection with the town of Nazareth.
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