2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
2 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.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
9 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.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt.
15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted,
because they are no more.”
19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”
21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.
23 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.
The True Meaning of Matthew 2
The Gospel of Matthew was written by the apostle Matthew, also known as Levi, who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Matthew, a former tax collector, had a unique perspective on the life and ministry of Christ. We witness the birth of Jesus in this chapter and the events that followed, including the visit of the Magi and the subsequent massacre of the innocents ordered by King Herod. These events foreshadow the challenges and opposition that Jesus would face throughout his earthly ministry, as well as the divine protection and guidance that would be provided to him.
The chapter also highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and the slaughter of the children (Jeremiah 31:15). These connections demonstrate the continuity between the Old and New Testaments and the unfolding of God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. The birth of Jesus, the adoration of the Magi, and the persecution of the holy family all contribute to the larger narrative of God’s redemptive work in the world as we delve into this chapter.
Matthew 2:1-6
A few important sections to unpack are found in Matthew 2:1-6. First, the verse sets the scene by mentioning that Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the time of King Herod. This immediately places Jesus in a historical context and shows that he was born during a momentous period in Judea’s history. King Herod was known for his cruelty and tyranny, which becomes significant later in the passage.
The next section introduces the Magi, also known as the wise men or the three kings, who traveled from the east to Jerusalem. The Magi were scholars and astrologers who were skilled in observing and interpreting celestial events. Their journey to visit the newborn King of the Jews is remarkable because it shows that people from distant lands recognized the significance of Jesus’s birth. This foreshadows the universal impact of Jesus’s ministry, as he came not just for the Jews but for all people.
When the Magi arrived in Jerusalem, they inquired about the one who had been born King of the Jews. This question troubled Herod and all of Jerusalem. Herod, being the reigning king, saw Jesus as a threat to his power and authority. This highlights the political tension surrounding Jesus’s birth and the contrast between earthly power and the spiritual significance of Jesus’s kingship. The fear and insecurity of Herod stand in stark contrast to the reverence and worship offered by the Magi.
Herod consulted with the chief priests and scribes to determine where the Christ was to be born, as foretold by the prophet Micah. The scribes pointed to Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah, demonstrating the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Jesus’s birth. This emphasizes the continuity between the Old Testament and the New Testament, showing how Jesus’s coming was part of God’s plan from the beginning of time. The passage in Matthew 2 sets the stage for the conflicting responses to Jesus’s birth – worship and adoration from the Magi contrasted with fear and hostility from King Herod. It also highlights the fulfillment of prophecy and the universal significance of Jesus’s birth. This narrative invites readers to reflect on their own response to Jesus – do they come with humble adoration like the Magi, or do they respond with fear and resistance like Herod? This story challenges us to consider how we recognize and respond to the presence of Christ in our lives.
Matthew 2:7-12
We witness a significant event in the life of Jesus shortly after His birth in Matthew 2:7-12. Let’s break down these verses.
Verse 7: “Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.”
This verse sets the stage for the conflict that will unfold. King Herod’s reaction to the news of the birth of the potential new King of the Jews is one of suspicion and fear. Herod’s insecure and tyrannical nature becomes evident as he seeks to eliminate any threat to his own power. Herod shows his deceitful nature by secretly summoning the Magi to find out more about this newborn King.
Verse 8-9: “He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. Report to me as soon as you find him, so that I too may go and worship him.’ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.”
Herod’s intention to worship the child is a lie, a cover-up for his true motive of wanting to get rid of this potential threat. The Magi, guided by the miraculous star, continue on their journey to find Jesus. The star leads them directly to the very place where Jesus, the true King of the Jews, was residing. This moment highlights the divine guidance and intervention in fulfilling prophecy, as seen in Micah 5:2 which foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
Verse 10-11: “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
The joy of the Magi upon seeing the star again and finding Jesus is palpable. Their response to finding the King of Kings is one of reverence and worship. Their act of bowing down and offering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh not only symbolizes their recognition of Jesus as divine but also fulfills Old Testament prophecies. Gold symbolizes kingship, frankincense represents divinity, and myrrh points to the eventual sacrifice of Jesus for the sins of the world.
**Verse 12: “And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. God’s protection over Jesus and His divine intervention thwarted Herod’s evil plan in this verse. The Magi, being obedient to the warning in their dream, avoid Herod and return home by a different route. This act not only safeguards the child Jesus but also signifies the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 60:6, where it is foretold that nations would come to the brightness of His rising. Matthew 2:7-12 showcases the contrast between the worldly treachery of King Herod and the divine fulfillment of prophecies surrounding the birth of Jesus. It emphasizes the themes of worship, obedience, divine guidance, and the recognition of Jesus as the promised Messiah. The Magi’s journey and actions serve as a powerful reminder of the universal significance of Christ’s birth and the call for all people to bow down before Him in worship and adoration.
Matthew 2:13-15
A significant event follows the visit of the wise men to worship the newborn Jesus in Matthew 2:13-15. After the departure of the wise men, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. This directive came as a warning to Joseph about King Herod’s plan to seek out the child and destroy him. Joseph wasted no time in obeying the angel’s command, promptly taking Mary and Jesus under the cover of night to seek refuge in Egypt.
This portion of the scripture carries a profound message of God’s divine protection and guidance. God’s intervention through the angel ensured the safety of Jesus, the promised Messiah, from the clutches of King Herod, who felt threatened by the news of a newborn king. It is a powerful reminder that God is always watching over His children and will go to great lengths to protect them, even if it means leading them on unexpected paths.
The act of fleeing to Egypt echoes the history of the Israelites, who also sought refuge in Egypt during times of hardship, such as the famine in the days of Joseph, as seen in the book of Genesis. This parallel serves to showcase the fulfillment of prophecies and the continuity of God’s redemptive plan throughout history. Just as God had preserved the nation of Israel in Egypt, He now safeguards the infant Jesus in that same land.
Furthermore, the journey to Egypt and subsequent return mirrors the life of Moses, who fled to Midian before returning to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land. This repetition of themes underscores the typological significance of Jesus as the ultimate deliverer and leader who will guide His people to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. It exemplifies how Jesus fulfills the roles of both the ultimate sacrifice for sin and the triumphant king who will establish an eternal kingdom, as prophesied in the Old Testament. Joseph’s obedience and divine protection granted to Jesus unfold God’s sovereign plan in this passage. It serves as a prelude to the challenges Jesus will face in His earthly ministry, highlighting the opposition and threat He will encounter from earthly powers. The narrative points to the overarching theme of redemption and God’s faithfulness, emphasizing the centrality of Jesus in fulfilling the purposes of God for the salvation of humanity.
Matthew 2:16-18
A dark and harrowing event takes place in Matthew 2:16-18 after the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem. King Herod, feeling threatened by the news of a newborn “King of the Jews,” hatches a sinister plan to eliminate this potential rival. Deceptively asking the Magi to inform him of the child’s whereabouts under the guise of wanting to worship him, Herod’s true intention was to destroy the supposed threat to his reign. This act of treachery is a stark reminder of the lengths to which those in power will go to maintain their rule, even if it means resorting to violence and cruelty.
The massacre of the innocent children in Bethlehem is a tragic and heart-wrenching event. Herod, in a fit of rage and fear, orders the slaughter of all male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and younger. This barbaric act fulfills the prophecy in Jeremiah 31:15, which speaks of Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more. The pain and suffering caused by Herod’s actions serve as a vivid illustration of the destructive consequences of unchecked power and the darkness that can ensue when individuals prioritize their own interests over the well-being of others.
However, amidst this darkness, there is a ray of hope and divine intervention. Joseph is warned in a dream by an angel of the Lord to flee to Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus to escape Herod’s wrath. Here, we see the theme of God’s protection and provision for His chosen ones. This event echoes the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, where God intervened to save His people from the tyranny of Pharaoh. Just as God delivered the Israelites in the past, He now ensures the safety of Jesus, the Savior of the world, from the evil plot of Herod.
The flight to Egypt not only emphasizes God’s sovereignty and protection but also underscores the fulfillment of prophecies regarding Jesus as the promised Messiah. Hosea 11:1 foreshadows this event, stating, “Out of Egypt I called my son. Joseph obeying the angel’s warning and taking his family to Egypt unfolds God’s divine plan to protect Jesus, the Son of God, until the time is right for Him to fulfill His mission on earth. The account of Herod’s massacre of the innocents in Matthew 2:16-18 serves as a poignant illustration of the clash between the powers of this world and the ultimate sovereignty of God. It highlights the darkness and evil present in the world but also points to the hope and salvation found in Christ, who is protected and preserved by the Father’s hand. This passage serves as a reminder that, despite the trials and tribulations we may face, God is in control and His purposes will ultimately prevail.
Matthew 2:19-23
We can break down a few key sections in Matthew 2:19-23 to glean a deeper understanding of the significance and meaning within this passage.
- “But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.” (Matthew 2:19-20)
This section begins with the news that King Herod had passed away. Herod was the ruler who had attempted to kill the infant Jesus by ordering the massacre of the innocent children in Bethlehem. With his death, the threat to Jesus’s life was removed. An angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to return to the land of Israel with Jesus and Mary. This passage illustrates the protection and guidance provided by God to ensure the safety of Jesus, emphasizing the concept of divine providence and fulfillment of prophecy. God’s plan for Jesus to fulfill His purpose on earth is highlighted here, showing how events unfold according to His will.
- “And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 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.” (Matthew 2:21-23)
Joseph obeys the angel’s instructions and sets out for Israel with Jesus and Mary, but upon learning that Herod’s son, Archelaus, was now ruling in Judea, he chooses to avoid that region due to fear. Instead, he is directed in a dream to settle in Nazareth in Galilee. This relocation to Nazareth fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. This relocation to Nazareth fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. Through these events, we see God’s continued protection over Jesus, ensuring His safety and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. This passage also demonstrates the importance of obedience to God’s guidance and the way in which He orchestrates events to accomplish His divine purposes.
The journey of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, guided by angelic messages and fulfilled prophecies, underscores the intricate plan of God unfolding through history. It reveals the meticulous care with which God protects and guides His chosen ones, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled despite the challenges and dangers they may face. The narrative in Matthew 2 not only highlights the early life of Jesus and the threats He faced but also emphasizes the overarching theme of God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and the fulfillment of His promises through His chosen people. It connects the events surrounding Jesus’ birth and early years to the grand narrative of God’s redemptive plan for humanity, setting the stage for the ministry and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind.
After Matthew 2
Wise men from the East followed a star to find the newborn King of the Jews in Bethlehem, fulfilling ancient prophecies. Despite the deceitful intentions of King Herod, who sought to harm the child, God’s divine plan protected Jesus and his family. Through the guidance of an angel, Joseph led his family to safety in Egypt until it was safe to return to Israel. The faithfulness of Joseph and the obedience of the wise men remind us of the importance of trusting in God’s providence and following His guidance in our lives. Let the example of those who sought Jesus with sincere hearts and unwavering faith inspire us as we reflect on the events of this chapter. Just as the wise men were led by a star to the Savior, may we also be guided by the light of Christ in our own journeys. We should prepare our hearts to receive Him and be ready to follow wherever He may lead us, trusting in His wisdom and protection.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.