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Matthew Chapter 2
Commentary by Matthew Henry
In this chapter, we have the history
of our Savior's infancy, where we find how early he began to
suffer, and that in him the word of righteousness was
fulfilled, before he himself began to fulfill all
righteousness. Here is, I. The wise men's solicitous enquiry
after Christ, Verses 1-8. II. Their devout attendance on
him, when they found out where he was, Verses 9-12. III.
Christ's flight into Egypt, to avoid the cruelty of Herod,
Verses 13-15. IV. The barbarous murder of the infants of
Bethlehem, Verses 16-18. V. Christ's return out of Egypt
into the land of Israel again, Verses 19-23.The Wise Men
come from Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:1-8 ––
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem
of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came
wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 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. 3 When Herod the king
had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem
with him. 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. 5 And they said unto him, In
Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least
among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a
Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod,
when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them
diligently what time the star appeared. 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.
It was a mark of humiliation put
upon the Lord Jesus that, though he was the Desire of all
nations, yet his coming into the world was little observed
and taken notice of, his birth was obscure and un-regarded:
herein he emptied himself, and made himself of no
reputation. If the Son of God must be brought into the
world, one might justly expect that he should be received
with all the ceremony possible, that crowns and scepters
should immediately have been laid at his feet, and that the
high and mighty princes of the world should have been his
humble servants; such a Messiah as this the Jews expected,
but we see none of all this; he came into the world, and the
world knew him not; nay, he came to his own, and his own
received him not; for having undertaken to make satisfaction
to his Father for the wrong done him in his honor by the sin
of man, he did it by denying himself in, and despoiling
himself of, the honors undoubtedly due to an incarnate
Deity; yet, as afterward, so in his birth, some rays of
glory darted forth in the midst of the greatest instances of
his abasement. Though there was the hiding of his power, yet
he had horns coming out of his hand (Habakkuk 3:4) enough to
condemn the world, and the Jews especially, for their
stupidity.
The first who took notice of Christ
after his birth were the shepherds (Luke 2:15, & context),
who saw and heard glorious things concerning him, and made
them known abroad, to the amazement of all that heard them,
verses 17, 18. After that, Simeon and Anna spoke of him, by
the Spirit, to all that were disposed to heed what they
said, Luke 2:38. Now, one would think, these hints should
have been taken by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and they should with both arms have embraced the
long-looked-for Messiah; but, for aught that appears, he
continued nearly two years after at Bethlehem, and no
further notice was taken of him till these wise men came.
Note, Nothing will awaken those that are resolved to be
regardless. Oh the amazing stupidity of these Jews! And no
less that of many who are called Christians! Observe,
I. When this enquiry was made
concerning Christ. It was in the days of Herod the king.
This Herod was an Edomite, made king of Judea by Augustus
and Antonius, the then chief rulers of the Roman state, a
man made up of falsehood and cruelty; yet he was
complimented with the title of Herod the Great. Christ was
born in the 35th year of his reign, and notice is taken of
this, to show that the scepter had now departed from Judah,
and the lawgiver from between his feet; and therefore now
was the time for Shiloh to come, and to him shall the
gathering of the people be: witness these wise men, Genesis
49:10.
II. Who and what these wise men
were; they are here called Magi--Magicians. Some that it in
a good sense; the Magi among the Persians were their
philosophers and their priests; nor would they admit any one
for their king who had not first been enrolled among the
Magi; others think they dealt in unlawful arts; the word is
used of Simon, the sorcerer (Acts 8:9, 11), and of Elymas,
the sorcerer (Acts 13:6), nor does the scripture use it in
any other sense; and then it was an early instance and
presage of Christ's victory over the devil, when those who
had been so much his devotees became the early adorers even
of the infant Jesus; so soon were trophies of his victory
over the powers of darkness erected. Well, whatever sort of
wise men they were before, now they began to be wise men
indeed when they set themselves to enquire after Christ.
This we are sure of, 1. That they
were Gentiles, and not belonging to the commonwealth of
Israel. The Jews regarded not Christ, but these Gentiles
enquired him out. Note, Many times those who are nearest to
the means, are furthest from the end. See Chapter 8:11, 12.
The respect paid to Christ by these Gentiles was a happy
presage and specimen of what would follow when those who
were afar off should be made nigh by Christ. 2. That they
were scholars. They dealt in arts, curious arts; good
scholars should be good Christians, and then they complete
their learning when they learn Christ. 3. That they were men
of the east, who were noted for their soothsaying, Isaiah
2:6. Arabia is called the land of the east (Genesis 25:6), and
the Arabians are called men of the east, Judges 6:3. The
presents they brought were the products of that country; the
Arabians had done homage to David and Solomon as types of
Christ. Jethro and Job were of that country. More than this
we have not to say of them. The traditions of the Roman
church are frivolous, that they were in number three (though
one of the ancients says there were fourteen), that they
were kings, and that they lie buried in Colen, thence called
the three kings of Colen; we covet not to be wise above what
is written.
III. What induced them to make this
inquiry. They, in their country, which was in the east, had
seen an extraordinary star, such as they had not seen
before; which they took to be an indication of an
extraordinary person born in the land of Judea, over which
land this star was seen to hover, in the nature of a comet,
or a meteor rather, in the lower regions of the air; this
differed so much from any thing that was common that they
concluded it to signify something uncommon. Note,
Extraordinary appearances of God in the creatures should put
us upon enquiring after his mind and will therein; Christ
foretold signs in the heavens. The birth of Christ was
notified to the Jewish shepherds by an angel, to the Gentile
philosophers by a star: to both God spoke in their own
language, and in the way they were best acquainted with.
Some think that the light which the shepherds saw shining
round about them, the night after Christ was born, was the
very same which to the wise men, who lived at such a
distance, appeared as a star; but this we cannot easily
admit, because the same star which they had seen in the east
they saw a great while after, leading them to the house
where Christ lay; it was a candle set up on purpose to guide
them to Christ. The idolaters worshipped the stars as the
host of heaven, especially the eastern nations, whence the
planets have the names of their idol-gods; we read of a
particular star they had in veneration, Amos 5:26. Thus the
stars that had been misused came to be put to the right use,
to lead men to Christ; the gods of the heathen became his
servants. Some think this star put them in mind of Balaam's
prophecy, that a star should come out of Jacob, pointing at
a scepter, that shall rise out of Israel; see Numbers 24:17.
Balaam came from the mountains of the east, and was one of
their wise men. Others impute their enquiry to the general
expectation entertained at that time, in those eastern
parts, of some great prince to appear. Tacitus, in his
history (lib. 5), takes notice of it; Pluribus persuasio
inerat, antiquis sacerdotum literis contineri, eo ipso
tempore fore, ut valesceret oriens, profectique Judæa rerum
potirentur--A persuasion existed in the minds of many that
some ancient writings of the priests contained a prediction
that about that time an eastern power would prevail, and
that persons proceeding from Judea would obtain dominion.
Suetonius also, in the life of Vespasian, speaks of it; so
that this extraordinary phenomenon was construed as pointing
to that king; and we may suppose a divine impression made
upon their minds, enabling them to interpret this star as a
signal given by Heaven of the birth of Christ.
IV. How they prosecuted this
enquiry. They came from the east to Jerusalem, in further
quest of this prince. Wither shall they come to enquire for
the king of the Jews, but to Jerusalem, the mother-city,
whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord? They might
have said, "If such a prince be born, we shall hear of him
shortly in our own country, and it will be time enough then
to pay our homage to him." But so impatient were they to be
better acquainted with him, that they took a long journey on
purpose to enquire after him. Note, Those who truly desire
to know Christ, and find him, will not regard pains or
perils in seeking after him. Then shall we know, if we
follow on to know the Lord.
Their question is, Where is he that
is born king of the Jews? They do not ask, whether there
were such a one born? (they are sure of that, and speak of
it with assurance, so strongly was it set home upon their
hearts); but, Where is he born? Note, Those who know
something of Christ cannot but covet to know more of him.
They call Christ the King of the Jews, for so the Messiah
was expected to be: and he is Protector and Ruler of all the
spiritual Israel, he is born a King.
To this question they doubted not
but to have a ready answer, and to find all Jerusalem
worshipping at the feet of this new king; but they come from
door to door with this question, and no man can give them
any information. Note, There is more gross ignorance in the
world, and in the church too, than we are aware of. Many
that we think should direct us to Christ are themselves
strangers to him. They ask, as the spouse of the daughters
of Jerusalem, Saw ye him whom my soul loves? But they are
never the wiser. However, like the spouse, they pursue the
enquiry, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? Are they
asked, "Why do ye make this enquiry?" It is because they
have seen his star in the east. Are they asked, "What
business have you with him? What have the men of the east to
do with the King of the Jews?" They have their answer ready,
We are come to worship him. They conclude he will, in
process of time, be their king, and therefore they will
betimes ingratiate themselves with him and with those about
him. Note, Those in whose hearts the day-star is risen, to
give them any thing of the knowledge of Christ, must make it
their business to worship him. Have we seen Christ's star?
Let us study to give him honor.
V. How this enquiry was treated at
Jerusalem. News of it at last came to court; and when Herod
heard it he was troubled, verse 3. He could not be a
stranger to the prophecies of the Old Testament, concerning
the Messiah and his kingdom, and the times fixed for his
appearing by Daniel's weeks; but, having himself reigned so
long and so successfully, he began to hope that those
promises would for ever fail, and that his kingdom would be
established and perpetuated in spite of them. What a damp
therefore must it needs be upon him, to hear talk of this
King being born, now, when the time fixed for his appearing
had come! Note, Carnal wicked hearts dread nothing so much
as the fulfilling of the scriptures.
But though Herod, an Edomite, was
troubled, one would have thought Jerusalem should rejoice
greatly to hear that her King comes; yet, it seems, all
Jerusalem, except the few there that waited for the
consolation of Israel, were troubled with Herod, and were
apprehensive of I know not what ill consequences of the
birth of this new king, that it would involve them in war,
or restrain their lusts; they, for their parts, desired no
king but Herod; no, not the Messiah himself. Note, The
slavery of sin is foolishly preferred by many to the
glorious liberty of the children of God, only because they
apprehend some present difficulties attending that necessary
revolution of the government in the soul. Herod and
Jerusalem were thus troubled, from a mistaken notion that
the kingdom of the Messiah would clash and interfere with
the secular powers; whereas the star that proclaimed him
king plainly intimated that his kingdom was heavenly, and
not of this lower world. Note: The reason why the kings of
the earth, and the people, oppose the kingdom of Christ, is
because they do not know it, but err concerning it.
VI. What assistance they met with in
this enquiry from the scribes and the priests, verses 4-6.
Nobody can pretend to tell where the King of the Jews is,
but Herod enquires where it was expected he should be born.
The persons he consults are, the chief priests, who were
teachers by office; and the scribes, who made it their
business to study the law; their lips must keep knowledge,
but then the people must enquire the law at their mouth,
Malachi 2:7. It was generally known that Christ should be
born at Bethlehem (John 7:42); but Herod would have
counsel's opinion upon it, and therefore applies himself to
the proper persons; and, that he might be the better
satisfied, he has them altogether, all the chief priests,
and all the scribes; and demands of them what was the place,
according to the scriptures of the Old Testament, where
Christ should be born? Many a good question is put with an
ill design, so was this by Herod.
The priests and scribes need not
take any long time to give an answer to this query; nor do
they differ in their opinion, but all agree that the Messiah
must be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, here called
Bethlehem of Judea, to distinguish it from another city of
the same name in the land of Zebulun, Joshua 14:15.
Bethlehem signifies the house of bread; the fittest place
for him to be born in who is the true manna, the bread which
came down from heaven, which was given for the life of the
world. The proof they produce is taken from Micah 5:2, where
it is foretold that though Bethlehem be little among the
thousands of Judah (so it is in Micah), no very populous
place, yet it shall be found not the least among the princes
of Judah (so it is here); for Bethlehem's honor lay not, as
that of other cities, in the multitude of the people, but in
the magnificence of the princes it produced. Though, upon
some accounts, Bethlehem was little, yet herein it had the
pre-eminence above all the cities of Israel, that the Lord
shall count, when he writes up the people, that this man,
even the man Christ Jesus, was born there, Psalm 87:6. Out
of thee shall come a Governor, the King of the Jews. Note,
Christ will be a Savior to those only who are willing to
take him for their Governor. Bethlehem was the city of
David, and David the glory of Bethlehem; there, therefore,
must David's son and successor be born. There was a famous
well at Bethlehem, by the gate, which David longed to drink
of (2 Samuel 23:15); in Christ we have not only bread enough
and to spare, but may come and take also of the water of
life freely. Observe here how Jews and Gentiles compare
notes about Jesus Christ. The Gentiles know the time of his
birth by a star; the Jews know the place of it by the
scriptures; and so they are capable of informing one
another. Note, It would contribute much to the increase of
knowledge, if we did thus mutually communicate what we know.
Men grow rich by bartering and exchanging; so, if we have
knowledge to communicate to others, they will be ready to
communicate to us; thus many shall discourse, shall run to
and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
VII. The bloody project and design
of Herod, occasioned by this enquiry, verses 7, 8. Herod was
now an old man, and had reigned thirty-five years; this king
was but newly born, and not likely to enterprise any thing
considerable for many years; yet Herod is jealous of him.
Crowned heads cannot endure to think of successors, much
less of rivals; and therefore nothing less than the blood of
this infant king will satisfy him; and he will not give
himself liberty to think that, if this new-born child should
be indeed the Messiah, in opposing him, or making any
attempts upon him, he would be found fighting against God,
than which nothing is more vain, nothing more dangerous.
Passion has got the mastery of reason and conscience.
Now, 1. See how cunningly he laid
the project (verses 7, 8). He called the wise men, to talk
with them about this matter. He would not openly own his
fears and jealousies; it would be his disgrace to let the
wise men know them, and dangerous to let the people know
them. Sinners are often tormented with secret fears, which
they keep to themselves. Herod learns of the wise men the
time when the star appeared, that he might take his measures
accordingly; and then employs them to enquire further, and
bids them bring him an account. All this might look
suspicious, if he had not covered it with a show of
religion: that I may come and worship him also. Note, The
greatest wickedness often conceals itself under a mask of
piety. Absalom cloaks his rebellious project with a vow.
2. See how strangely he was befooled
and infatuated in this, that he trusted it with the wise
men, and did not choose some other managers, that would have
been true to his interests. It was but seven miles from
Jerusalem; how easily might he have sent spies to watch the
wise men, who might have been as soon there to destroy the
child as they to worship him! Note, God can hide from the
eyes of the church's enemies those methods by which they
might easily destroy the church; when he intends to lead
princes away spoiled, his way is to make the judges fools.
The Wise Men Worship Christ.
Matthew 2:9-12 ––
9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced
with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into
the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother,
and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened
their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and
frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a
dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed
into their own country another way.
We have here the wise men's humble
attendance upon this new-born King of the Jews, and the
honors they paid him. From Jerusalem they went to Bethlehem,
resolving to seek till they should find; but it is very
strange that they went alone; that not one person of the
court, church, or city, should accompany them, if not in
conscience, yet in civility to them, or touched with a
curiosity to see this young prince. As the queen of the
south, so the wise men of the east, will rise up in judgment
against the men of that generation, and of this too, and
will condemn them; for they came from a far country, to
worship Christ; while the Jews, his kinsmen, would not stir
a step, would not go to the next town to bid him welcome. It
might have been a discouragement to these wise men to find
him whom they sought thus neglected at home. Are we come so
far to honor the King of the Jews, and do the Jews
themselves put such a slight upon him and us? Yet they
persist in their resolution. Note, We must continue our
attendance upon Christ, though we be alone in it; whatever
others do, we must serve the Lord; if they will not go to
heaven with us, yet we must not go to hell with them. Now,
I. See how they found out Christ by
the same star that they had seen in their own country,
verses 9, 10. Observe, 1. How graciously God directed them.
By the first appearance of the star they were given to
understand where they might enquire for this King, and then
it disappeared, and they were left to take the usual methods
for such an enquiry. Note, Extraordinary helps are not to be
expected where ordinary means are to be had. Well, they had
traced the matter as far as they could; they were upon their
journey to Bethlehem, but that is a populous town, where
shall they find him when they come thither? Here they were
at a loss, at their wit's end, but not at their faith's end;
they believed that God, who had brought them thither by his
word, would not leave them there; nor did he; for, behold,
the star which they saw in the east went before them. Note,
If we go on as far as we can in the way of duty, God will
direct and enable us to do that which of ourselves we cannot
do; Up, and be doing, and the Lord will be with thee.
Vigilantibus, non dormientibus, succurit lex--The law
affords its aid, not to the idle, but to the active. The
star had left them a great while, yet now returns. They who
follow God in the dark shall find that light is sown, is
reserved, for them. Israel was led by a pillar of fire to
the promised land, the wise men by a star to the promised
Seed, who is himself the bright and morning Star, Revelation
xxii. 16. God would rather create a new thing than leave
those at a loss who diligently and faithfully sought him.
This star was the token of God's presence with them; for he
is light, and goes before his people as their Guide. Note,
If we by faith eye God in all our ways, we may see ourselves
under his conduct; he guides with his eye (Psalm 32:8), and
said to them, This is the way, walk in it: and there is a
day-star that arises in the hearts of those that enquire
after Christ, 2 Peter 1:19. 2. Observe how joyfully they
followed God's direction (verse 10). When they saw the star,
they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Now they saw they
were not deceived, and had not taken this long journey in
vain. When the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Now they
were sure that God was with them, and the tokens of his
presence and favor cannot but fill with joy unspeakable the
souls of those that know how to value them. Now they could
laugh at the Jews in Jerusalem, who, probably, had laughed
at them as coming on a fool's errand. The watchmen can give
the spouse no tidings of her beloved; yet it is but a little
that she passes from them, and she finds him, Canticles 3:3,
4. We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from
God. What a transport of joy these wise men were in upon
this sight of the star; none know so well as those who,
after a long and melancholy night of temptation and
desertion, under the power of a Spirit of bondage, at length
receive the spirit of adoption, witnessing with their
spirits that they are the children of God; this is light out
of darkness; it is life from the dead. Now they had reason
to hope for a sight of the Lord's Christ speedily, of the
Sun of righteousness, for they see the Morning Star. Note,
We should be glad of every thing that will show us the way
to Christ. This star was sent to meet the wise men, and to
conduct them into the presence chamber of the King; by this
master of ceremonies they were introduced, to have their
audience. Now God fulfills his promise of meeting those that
are disposed to rejoice and work righteousness (Isaiah
64:5), and they fulfill his precept. Let the hearts of those
rejoice that seek the Lord, Psalm 105:3. Note, God is
pleased sometimes to favor young converts with such tokens
of his love as are very encouraging to them, in reference to
the difficulties they meet with at their setting out of the
ways of God.
II. See how they made their address
to him when they had found him, verse 11. We may well
imagine their expectations were raised to find this royal
babe, though slighted by the nation, yet honorably attended
at home; and what a disappointment it was to them when they
found a cottage was his palace, and his own poor mother all
the retinue he had! Is this the Savior of the world? Is this
the King of the Jews, nay, and the Prince of the kings of
the earth? Yes, this is he, who, though he was rich, yet,
for our sakes, became thus poor. However, these wise men
were so wise as to see through this veil, and in this
despised babe to discern the glory as of the Only-begotten
of the Father; they did not think themselves balked or
baffled in their enquiry; but, as having found the King they
sought, they presented themselves first, and then their
gifts, to him.
1. They presented themselves to him:
they fell down, and worshipped him. We do not read that they
gave such honor to Herod, though he was in the height of his
royal grandeur; but to this babe they gave this honor, not
only as to a king (then they would have done the same to
Herod), but as to a God. Note: All that have found Christ
fall down before him; they adore him, and submit themselves
to him. He is thy Lord, and worship thou him. It will be the
wisdom of the wisest of men, and by this it will appear they
know Christ, and understand themselves and their true
interests, if they be humble, faithful worshippers of the
Lord Jesus.
2. They presented their gifts to
him. In the eastern nations, when they did homage to their
kings, they made them presents; thus the subjection of the
kings of Sheba to Christ is spoken of (Psalm 72:10), They
shall bring presents, and offer gifts. See Isaiah 60:6.
Note, With ourselves, we must give up all that we have to
Jesus Christ; and if we be sincere in the surrender of
ourselves to him, we shall not be unwilling to part with
what is dearest to us, and most valuable, to him and for
him; nor are our gifts accepted, unless we first present
ourselves to him living sacrifices. God had respect to Abel,
and then to his offering. The gifts they presented were
gold, frankincense, and myrrh, money, and money's-worth.
Providence sent this for a seasonable relief to Joseph and
Mary in their present poor condition. These were the
products of their own country; what God favors us with, we
must honor him with. Some think there was a significance in
their gifts; they offered him gold, as a king, paying him
tribute, to Cæsar, the things that are Cæsar's;
frankincense, as God, for they honored God with the smoke of
incense; and myrrh, as a Man that should die, for myrrh was
used in embalming dead bodies.
III. See how they left him when they
had made their address to him, verse 12. Herod appointed
them to bring him word what discoveries they had made, and,
it is probable, they would have done so, if they had not
been countermanded, not suspecting their being thus made his
tools in a wicked design. Those that mean honestly and well
themselves are easily made to believe that others do so too,
and cannot think the world is as bad as it really is; but
the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation.
We do not find that the wise men promised to come back to
Herod, and, if they had, it must have been with the usual
proviso, If God permit; God did not permit them, and
prevented the mischief Herod designed to the Child Jesus,
and the trouble it would have been to the wise men to have
been made involuntarily accessory to it. They were warned of
God, chrematisthentes--oraculo vel responso accepto--by an
oracular intimation. Some think it intimates that they asked
counsel of God, and that this was the answer. Note, Those
that act cautiously, and are afraid of sin and snares, if
they apply themselves to God for direction, may expect to be
led in the right way. They were warned not to return to
Herod, nor to Jerusalem; those were unworthy to have reports
brought them concerning Christ, that might have seen with
their own eyes, and would not. They departed into their own
country another way, to bring the tidings to their
countrymen; but it is strange that we never hear any more of
them, and that they or theirs did not afterwards attend him
in the temple, whom they had worshipped in the cradle.
However, the direction they had from God in their return
would be a further confirmation of their faith in this
Child, as the Lord from heaven.
The Flight into Egypt.
Matthew 2:13-15 ––
13 And when they were departed,
behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a
dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his
mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring
thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy
him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his
mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there
until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt
have I called my son.
We have here Christ's flight into
Egypt to avoid the cruelty of Herod, and this was the effect
of the wise men's enquiry after him; for, before that, the
obscurity he lay in was his protection. It was but little
respect (compared with what should have been) that was paid
to Christ in his infancy: yet even that, instead of honoring
him among his people, did but expose him.
Now here observe, I. The command
given to Joseph concerning it, verse 13. Joseph knew neither
the danger the child was in, nor how to escape it; but God
by an angel, tells him both in a dream, as before he
directed him in like manner what to do, Chapter 1:20.
Joseph, before his alliance to Christ, had not been wont to
converse with angels as now. Note, those that are
spiritually related to Christ by faith have that communion
and correspondence with Heaven which before they were
strangers to.
1. Joseph is here told what their
danger was: Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Note, God is acquainted with all the cruel projects and
purposes of the enemies of his church. I know thy rage
against me, says God to Sennacherib, Isaiah 37:28. How early
was the blessed Jesus involved in trouble! Usually, even
those whose riper years are attended with toils and perils
have a peaceable and quiet infancy; but it was not so with
the blessed Jesus: his life and sufferings began together;
he was born a man striven with, as Jeremiah was (Jeremiah
15:10), who was sanctified from the womb, Jeremiah 1:5. Both
Christ the head, and the church his body, agree in saying,
Many a time have they afflicted me, from my youth up.
Pharaoh's cruelty fastens upon the Hebrews' children, and a
great red dragon stands ready to devour the man-child as
soon as it should be born, Revelation 12:4.
2. He is directed what to do, to
escape the danger; Take the young child, and flee into
Egypt. Thus early must Christ give an example to his own
rule (Chapter 10:23): When they persecute you in one city,
flee to another. He that came to die for us, when his hour
was not yet come, fled for his own safety.
Self-preservation, being a branch of the law of nature, is
eminently a part of the law of God. Flee; but why into
Egypt? Egypt was infamous for idolatry, tyranny, and enmity
to the people of God; it had been a house of bondage to
Israel, and particularly cruel to the infants of Israel; in
Egypt, as much as in Ramah, Rachel had been weeping for her
children; yet that is appointed to be a place of refuge to
the holy child Jesus. Note, God, when he pleases, can make
the worst of places serve the best of purposes; for the
earth is the Lord's, he makes what use he pleases of it:
sometimes the earth helps the woman Revelation 12:16. God,
who made Moab a shelter to his outcasts, makes Egypt a
refuge for his Son. This may be considered,
(1.) As a trial of faith of Joseph
and Mary. They might be tempted to think, "If this child be
the Son of God, as we are told he is, has he no other way to
secure himself from a man that is a worm, than by such a
mean and inglorious retreat as this? Cannot he summon
legions of angels to be his life-guard, or cherubim with
flaming swords to keep this tree of life? Cannot he strike
Herod dead, or wither the hand that is stretched out against
him, and so save us the trouble of this remove?" They had
been lately told that he should be the glory of his people
Israel; and is the land of Israel so soon become too hot for
him? But we find not that they made any such objections;
their faith, being tried, was found firm, they believe this
is the Son of God, though they see no miracle wrought for
his preservation; but they are put to the use of ordinary
means. Joseph had great honor put upon him in being the
husband of the blessed virgin; but that honor has trouble
attending it, as all honors have in this world; Joseph must
take the young child, and carry him into Egypt; and now it
appeared how well God had provided for the young child and
his mother, in appointing Joseph to stand in so near a
relation to them; now the gold which the wise men brought
would stand them in stead to bear their charges. God
foresees his people's distresses, and provides against them
beforehand. God intimates the continuance of his care and
guidance, when he says, Be thou there until I bring thee
word, so that he must expect to hear from God again, and not
stir without fresh orders. Thus God will keep his people
still in a dependence upon him.
(2.) As an instance of the
humiliation of our Lord Jesus. As there was no room for him
in the inn in Bethlehem, so there was no quiet room for him
in the land of Judea. Thus was he banished from the earthly
Canaan, that we, who for sin were banished from the heavenly
Canaan, might not be for ever expelled. If we and our
infants be at any time in straits, let us remember the
straits Christ in his infancy was brought into, and be
reconciled to them.
(3.) As a token of God's displeasure
against the Jews, who took so little notice of him; justly
does he leave those who have slighted him. We have also here
an earnest of his favor to the Gentiles, to whom the
apostles were to bring the gospel when the Jews rejected it.
If Egypt entertain Christ when he is forced out of Judea, it
will not be long ere it be said, Blessed be Egypt my people,
Isaiah 14:25.
II. Joseph's obedience to this
command, verse 14. The journey would be inconvenient and
perilous both to the young child and to his mother; they
were but poorly provided for it, and were likely to meet
with cold entertainment in Egypt: yet Joseph was not
disobedient to the heavenly vision, made no objection, nor
was dilatory in his disobedience. As soon as he had received
his orders, he immediately arose, and went away by night,
the same night, as it should seem, that he received the
orders. Note, those that would make sure work of their
obedience must make quick work of it. Now Joseph went out,
as his father Abraham did, with an implicit dependence upon
God, not knowing whither he went, Hebrews 11:8. Joseph and
his wife, having little, had little to care of in this
remove. An abundance encumbers a necessary flight. If rich
people have the advantage of the poor while they possess
what they have, the poor have the advantage of the rich when
they are called to part with it.
Joseph took the young child and his
mother. Some observe, that the young child is put first, as
the principal person, and Mary is called, not the wife of
Joseph, but, which was her great dignity, the mother of the
young child. This was not the first Joseph that was driven
from Canaan to Egypt for a shelter from the anger of his
brethren; this Joseph ought to be welcome there for the sake
of that.
If we may credit tradition, at their
entrance into Egypt, happening to go into a temple, all the
images of their gods were overthrown by an invisible power,
and fell, like Dagon before the ark, according to that
prophecy, The Lord shall come into Egypt, and the idols of
Egypt shall be moved at his presence, Isaiah 14:1. They
continued in Egypt till the death of Herod, which, some
think, was seven years, others think, not so many months.
There they were at a distance from the temple and the
service of it, and in the midst of idolaters; but God sent
them thither, and will have mercy, and not sacrifice. Though
they were far from the temple of the Lord, they had with
them the Lord of the temple. A forced absence from God's
ordinances, and a forced presence with wicked people, may be
the lot, are not the sin, yet cannot but be the grief, of
good people.
III. The fulfilling of the scripture
in all this--that scripture (Hosea 11:1), Out of Egypt have
I called my son. Of all the evangelists, Matthew takes most
notice of the fulfilling of the scripture in what concerned
Christ, because his gospel was first published among the
Jews, with whom that would add much strength and luster to
it. Now this word of the prophet undoubtedly referred to the
deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, in which God owned them
for his son, his first-born (Exodus 4:22); but it is here
applied, by way of analogy, to Christ, the Head of the
church. Note, The scripture has many accomplishments, so
full and copious is it, and so well ordered in all things.
God is every day fulfilling the scripture. Scripture is not
of private interpretation: we must give it its full
latitude. "When Israel was a child, then I loved him; and,
though I loved him, I suffered him to be a great while in
Egypt; but, because I loved him, in due time I called him
out of Egypt." They that read this must, in their thoughts,
not only look back, but look forward; that which has been
shall be again (Ecclesiastes 1:9); and the manner of
expression intimates this; for it is not said, I called him,
but I called my son, out of Egypt. Note, It is no new thing
for God's sons to be in Egypt, in a strange land, in a house
of bondage; but they shall be fetched out. They may be hid
in Egypt, but they shall not be left there. All the elect of
God, being by nature children of wrath, are born in a
spiritual Egypt, and in conversion are effectually called
out. It might be objected against Christ that he had been in
Egypt. Must the Sun of righteousness arise out of that land
of darkness! But this shows that to be no strange thing;
Israel was brought out of Egypt, to be advanced to the
highest honors; and this is but doing the same thing.
The Slaughter of the Children.
Matthew 2:16-18 ––
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was
mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth,
and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all
the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according
to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise
men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy
the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard,
lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping
for her children, and would not be comforted, because they
are not.
Here is, I. Herod's resentment of
the departure of the wise men. He waited long for their
return; he hopes, though they be slow, they will be sure,
and he shall crush this rival at his first appearing; but he
hears, upon enquiry, that they are gone off another way,
which increases his jealousy, and makes him suspect they are
in the interest of this new King, which made him exceedingly
wroth; and he is the more desperate and outrageous for his
being disappointed. Note, Inveterate corruption swells the
higher for the obstructions it meets with in a sinful
pursuit.
II. His political contrivance,
notwithstanding this, to take off him that is born King of
the Jews. If he could not reach him by a particular
execution, he doubted not but to involve him in a general
stroke, which, like the sword of war, should devour one as
well as another. This would be sure work; and thus those
that would destroy their own iniquity must be sure to
destroy all their iniquities. Herod was an Edomite, enmity
to Israel was bred in the bone with him. Doeg was an Edomite,
who, for David's sake, slew all the priests of the Lord. It
was strange that Herod could find any so inhuman as to be
employed in such a bloody and barbarous piece of work; but
wicked hands never want wicked tools to work with. Little
children have always been taken under the special
protection, not only of human laws, but of human nature; yet
these are sacrificed to the rage of this tyrant, under whom,
as under Nero, innocence is the least security. Herod was,
throughout his reign, a bloody man; it was not long before,
that he destroyed the whole Sanhedrim, or bench of judges;
but blood to the blood-thirsty is like drink to those in a
dropsy; Quo plus sunt potæ, plus sitiuntur aquæ--The more
they drink, the more thirsty they become. Herod was now
about seventy years old, so that an infant, at this time
under two years old, was not likely ever to give him any
disturbance. Nor was he a man over fond of his own children,
or of their preferment, having formerly slain two of his own
sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, and his son Antipater after
this, but five days before he himself died; so that it was
purely to gratify his own brutish lusts of pride and cruelty
that he did this. All is fish that comes to his net.
Observe, What large measures he
took, 1. As to time; He slew all from two years old and
under. It is probable that the blessed Jesus was at this
time not a year old; yet Herod took in all the infants under
two years old, that he might be sure not to miss of his
prey. He cares not how many heads fall, which he allows to
be innocent, provided that escape not which he supposes to
be guilty. 2. As to place; He kills all the male children,
not only in Bethlehem, but in all the coasts thereof, in all
the villages of that city. This was being overmuch wicked,
Ecclesiastes 7:17. Hate, an unbridled wrath, armed with an
unlawful power, often transports men to the most absurd and
unreasonable instances of cruelty. It was no unrighteous
thing for God to permit this; every life is forfeited to his
justice as soon as it commences; that sin which entered by
one man's disobedience, introduced death with it; and we are
not to suppose any thing more than that common guilt, we are
not to suppose that these children were sinners above all
that were in Israel, because they suffered such things.
God's judgments are a great deep. The diseases and deaths of
little children are proofs of original sin. But we must look
upon this murder of the infants under another character: it
was their martyrdom. How early did persecution commence
against Christ and his kingdom! Think ye that he came to
send peace on the earth? No, but a sword, such a sword as
this, Chapter 10:34, 35. A passive testimony was hereby
given to the Lord Jesus. As when he was in the womb, he was
witnessed to by a child's leaping in the womb for joy at his
approach, so now, at two years old, he had contemporary
witnesses to him of the same age. They shed their blood for
him, who afterwards shed his for them. These were the
infantry of the noble army of martyrs. If these infants were
thus baptized with blood, though it were their own, into the
church triumphant, it could not be said but that, with what
they got in heaven, they were abundantly recompensed for
what they lost on earth. Out of the mouths of these babes
and sucklings God did perfect his praise; otherwise, it is
not good to the Almighty that he should thus afflict.
The tradition of the Greek church
(and we have it in the Æthiopic missal) is, that the number
of the children slain was 14,000; but that is very absurd. I
believe, if the births of the male children in the weekly
bills were computed, there would not be found so many under
two years old, in one of the most populous cities in the
world, that was not near a fortieth part of it. But it is an
instance of the vanity of tradition. It is strange that
Josephus does not relate this story; but he wrote long after
St. Matthew, and it is probable that he therefore would not
relate it, because he would not so far countenance the
Christian history; for he was a zealous Jew; but, to be
sure, if it had not been true and well attested, he would
have contested it. Macrobius, a heathen writer, tells us,
that when Augustus Cæsar heard that Herod, among the
children he order to be slain under two years old, slew his
own son, he passed this jest upon him, That it was better to
be Herod's swine than his son. The usage of the country
forbade him to kill a swine, but nothing could restrain him
from killing his son. Some think that he had a young child
at nurse in Bethlehem; others think that, through mistake,
two events are confounded--the murder of the infants, and
the murder of his son Antipater. But for the church of Rome
to put the Holy Innocents, as they call them, into their
calendar, and observe a day in memory of them, while they
have so often, by their barbarous massacres, justified, and
even out--one Herod, is but to do as their predecessors did,
who built the tombs of the prophets, while they themselves
filled up the same measure.
Some observe another design of
Providence in the murder of the infants. By all the
prophecies of the Old Testament it appears that Bethlehem
was the place, and this the time, of the Messiah's nativity;
now all the children of Bethlehem, born at this time, being
murdered, and Jesus only escaping, none but Jesus could
pretend to be the Messiah. Herod now thought he had baffled
all the Old Testament prophecies, had defeated the
indications of the star, and the devotions of the wise men,
by ridding the country of this new King; having burnt the
hive, he concludes he had killed the master bee; but God in
heaven laughs at him, and has him in derision. Whatever
crafty cruel devices are in men's hearts, the counsel of the
Lord shall stand.
III. The fulfilling of scripture in
this (verses 17, 18); Then was fulfilled that prophecy
(Jeremiah 31:15), A voice was heard in Ramah. See and adore
the fullness of the scripture! That prediction was
accomplished in Jeremiah's time, when Nebuzaradan, after he
had destroyed Jerusalem, brought all his prisoners to Ramah
(Jeremiah 40:1), and there disposed of them as he pleased,
for the sword, or for captivity. Then was the cry in Ramah
heard to Bethlehem (for those two cities, the one in Judah's
lot, and the other in Benjamin's, were not far asunder); but
now the prophecy is again fulfilled in the great sorrow that
was for the death of these infants. The scripture was
fulfilled,
1. In the place of this mourning.
The noise of it was heard from Bethlehem to Ramah; for
Herod's cruelty extended itself to all the coasts of
Bethlehem, even into the lot of Benjamin, among the children
of Rachel. Some think the country about Bethlehem was called
Rachel, because there she died, and was buried. Rachel's
sepulcher was hard by Bethlehem, Genesis 35:16, 19. Compare
1 Samuel 10:2. Rachel had her heart much set upon children:
the son she died in travail of she called Benoni--the son of
her sorrow. These mothers were like Rachel, lived near
Rachel's grave, and many of them descended from Rachel; and
therefore their lamentations are elegantly represented by
Rachel's weeping.
2. In the degree of this mourning.
It was lamentation and mourning, and great mourning; all
little enough to express the sense they had of this
aggravated calamity. There was a great cry in Egypt when the
first-born were slain, and so there was here when the
youngest was slain; for whom we naturally have a particular
tenderness. Here was a representation of this world we live
in. We hear in it lamentation, and weeping, and mourning,
and see the tears of the oppressed, some upon one account,
and some upon another. Our ways lie through a vale of tears.
This sorrow was so great, that they would not be comforted.
They hardened themselves in it, and took a pleasure in their
grief. Blessed be God, there is no occasion of grief in this
world, no, not that which is supplied by sin itself, that
will justify us in refusing to be comforted! They would not
be comforted, because they are not, that is, they are not in
the land of the living, are not as they were, in their
mothers' embraces. If, indeed, they were not, there might be
some excuse for sorrowing as though we had no hope; but we
know they are not lost, but gone before; if we forget that
they are, we lose the best ground of our comfort, 1
Thessalonians 4:13. Some make this grief of the
Bethlehemites to be a judgment upon them for their contempt
of Christ. They that would not rejoice for the birth of the
Son of God, are justly made to weep for the death of their
own sons; for they only wondered at the tidings the
shepherds brought them, but did not welcome them.
The quoting of this prophecy might
serve to obviate an objection which some would make against
Christ, upon this sad providence. "Can the Messiah, who is
to be the Consolation of Israel, be introduced with all this
lamentation?" Yes, for so it was foretold, and the scripture
must be accomplished. And besides, if we look further into
this prophecy, we shall find that the bitter weeping in
Ramah was but a prologue to the greatest joy, for it
follows, Thy work shall be rewarded, and there is hope in
thy end. The worse things are, the sooner they will mend.
Unto them a child was born, sufficient to repair their
losses.
Christ's Return from Egypt.
Matthew 2:19-23 ––
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an
angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 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. 21 And he arose, and took the
young child and his mother, and came into the land of
Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in
Judea 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: 23 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.
We have here Christ's return out of
Egypt into the land of Israel again. Egypt may serve to
sojourn in, or take shelter in, for a while, but not to
abide in. Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the house of
Israel, and therefore to them he must return. Observe,
I. What it was that made way for his
return-- the death of Herod, which happened not long after
the murder of the infants; some think not above three
months. Such quick work did divine vengeance make! Note,
Herods must die; proud tyrants, that were the terror of the
mighty, and the oppressors of the godly, in the land of the
living, their day must come to fall, and down to the pit
they must go. Who art thou then, that thou should be afraid
of a man that shall die? (Isaiah 51:12, 13) especially
considering that at death, not only their envy and hatred
are perished (Ecclesiastes 9:6), and they cease from
troubling (Job 3:17), but they are punished. Of all sins,
the guilt of innocent blood fills the measure soonest. It is
a dreadful account which Josephus gives of the death of this
same Herod (Antiquities 17.146-199), that he was seized with
a disease which burned him inwardly with an inexpressible
torture; that he was insatiably greedy of meat; had the
colic, and gout, and dropsy; such an intolerable stench
attended his disease, that none could come near him: and so
passionate and impatient was he, that he was a torment to
himself, and a terror to all that attended him: his innate
cruelty, being thus exasperated, made him more barbarous
than ever; having ordered his own son to be put to death, he
imprisoned many of the nobility and gentry, and ordered that
as soon as he was dead they should be killed; but that
execution was prevented. See what kind of men have been the
enemies and persecutors of Christ and his followers! Few
have opposed Christianity but such as have first divested
themselves of humanity, as Nero and Domitian.
II. The orders given from heaven
concerning their return, and Joseph's obedience to those
orders, verses 19-21. God had sent Joseph into Egypt, and there
he staid till the same that brought him thither ordered him
thence. Note, In all our removes, it is good to see our way
plain, and God going before us; we should not move either
one way or the other without order. These orders were sent
him by an angel. Note, Our intercourse with God, if it be
kept up on our part, shall be kept up on his, wherever we
are. No place can exclude God's gracious visits. Angels come
to Joseph in Egypt, to Ezekiel in Babylon, and to John in Patmos. Now, 1. The angel informs him of the death of Herod
and his accomplices: They are dead, which sought the young
Child's life. They are dead, but the young Child lives.
Persecuted saints sometimes live to tread upon the graves of
their persecutors. Thus did the church's King weather the
storm, and many a one has the church in like manner
weathered. They are dead, to wit, Herod and his son
Antipater, who, though there were mutual jealousies between
them, yet, probably, concurred in seeking the destruction of
this new King. If Herod first kill Antipater, and then die
himself, the coasts are cleared, and the Lord is known by
the judgments which he executes, when one wicked instrument
is in the ruin of another. 2. He directs him what to do. He
must go and return to the land of Israel; and he did so
without delay; not pleading the tolerably good settlement he
had in Egypt, or the inconveniences of the journey,
especially if, as is supposed, it was in the beginning of
winter that Herod died. God's people follow his direction
whithersoever he leads them, wherever he lodges them. Did we
but look upon the world as our Egypt, the place of our
bondage and banishment, and heaven only as our Canaan, our
home, our rest, we should as readily arise, and depart
thither, when we are called for, as Joseph did out of Egypt.
III. The further direction he had
from God, which way to steer, and where to fix in the land
of Israel, verses 22, 23. God could have given him these
instructions with the former, but God reveals his mind to
his people by degrees, to keep them still waiting on him,
and expecting to hear further from him. These orders Joseph
received in a dream, probably, as those before, by the
ministration of an angel. God could have signified his will
to Joseph by the Child Jesus, but we do not find that in
those removes he either takes notice, or gives notice, of
any thing that occurred; surely it was because in all things
it behooved him to be made like his brethren; being a Child,
he spoke as a child, and did as a child, and drew a veil
over his infinite knowledge and power; as a child he
increased in wisdom.
Now the direction given this holy,
royal family, is, 1. That it might not settle in Judea,
verse 22. Joseph might think that Jesus, being born in
Bethlehem, must be brought up there; yet he is prudently
afraid for the young Child, because he hears that Archelaus
reigns in Herod's stead, not over all the kingdom as his
father did, but only over Judea, the other provinces being
put into other hands. See what a succession of enemies there
is to fight against Christ and his church! If one drop off,
another presently appears, to keep up the old enmity. But
for this reason Joseph must not take the young Child into
Judea. Note, God will not thrust his children into the mouth
of danger, but when it is for his own glory and their trial;
for precious in the sight of the Lord are the life and the
death of his saints; precious is their blood to him.
2. That it must settle in Galilee,
verse 22. There Philip now ruled, who was a mild, quiet, man.
Note, The providence of God commonly so orders it, that his
people shall not want a quiet retreat from the storm and
from the tempest; when one climate becomes hot and
scorching, another shall be kept more cool and temperate.
Galilee lay far north; Samaria lay between it and Judea;
thither they were sent, to Nazareth, a city upon a hill, in
the centre of the lot of Zebulun; there the mother of our
Lord lived, when she conceived that holy thing; and,
probably, Joseph lived there too, Luke 1:26, 27. Thither
they were sent, and there they were well known, and were
among their relations; the most proper place for them to be
in. There they continued, and from thence our Savior was
called Jesus of Nazareth, which was to the Jews a
stumbling-block, for, Can any good thing come out of
Nazareth?
In this is said to be fulfilled what
was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Which may be looked upon, (1.) As a man of honor and
dignity, though primarily it signifies no more than a man of
Nazareth; there is an allusion or mystery in speaking it,
speaking Christ to be, [1.] The Man, the Branch, spoken of,
Isaiah 11:1. The word there is Netzar, which signifies
either a branch, or the city of Nazareth; in being
denominated from that city, he is declared to be that
Branch. [2.] It speaks him to be the great Nazarite; of whom
the legal Nazarites were a type and figure (especially
Samson, Judges 13:5), and Joseph, who is called a Nazarite
among his brethren (Genesis 49:26), and to whom that which
was prescribed concerning the Nazarites, has reference,
Numbers 6:2, & context Not that Christ was, strictly, a
Nazarite, for he drank wine, and touched dead bodies; but he
was eminently so, both as he was singularly holy, and as he
was by a solemn designation and dedication set apart to the
honor of God in the work of our redemption, as Samson was to
save Israel. And it is a name we have all reason to rejoice
in, and to know him by. Or, (2.) As a name of reproach and
contempt. To be called a Nazarene, was to be called a
despicable man, a man from whom no good was to be expected,
and to whom no respect was to be paid. The devil first
fastened this name upon Christ, to render him mean, and
prejudice people against him, and it stuck as a nickname to
him and his followers. Now this was not particularly
foretold by any one prophet, but, in general, it was spoken
by the prophets, that he should be despised and rejected of
men (Isaiah 53:2, 3), a Worm, and no man (Psalm 22:6, 7),
that he should be an Alien to his brethren Psalm 69:7, 8.
Let no name of reproach for religion's sake seem hard to us,
when our Master was himself called a Nazarene.
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