VISIT OF THE MAGI

1 NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa 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 Judæa: 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, inquired 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.
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.

GOD WARNS JOSEPH
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.
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 inquired 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.
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 Judæa 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.

VISIT OF THE MAGI

1Now when Iesus was borne in Bethlehem of Iudea, in the dayes of Herod the king, behold, there came Wise men from the East to Hierusalem,

2Saying, Where is he that is borne King of the Iewes? for we haue seene his Starre in the East, and are come to worship him.

3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Hierusalem with him.

4And when he had gathered all the chiefe Priests and Scribes of the people together, hee demanded of them where Christ should be borne.

5And they said vnto him, In Bethlehem of Iudea: For thus it is written by the Prophet;

6And thou Bethlehem in the land of Iuda, art not the least among the Princes of Iuda: for out of thee shall come a Gouernour, that shall rule my people Israel.

7Then Herod, when he had priuily called the Wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the Starre appeared:

8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Goe, and search diligently for the yong child, and when ye haue found him, bring me word againe, that I may come and worship him also.

9When they had heard the King, they departed, and loe, the Starre which they saw in the East, went before them, till it came and stood ouer where the young childe was.

10When they saw the Starre, they reioyced with exceeding great ioy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the yong child with Mary his mother, and fell downe, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented vnto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrhe.

12And being warned of God in a dreame, that they should not returne to Herode, they departed into their owne countrey another way.

GOD WARSN JOSEPH

13And when they were departed, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeareth to Ioseph in a dreame, saying, Arise and take the young childe, and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and bee thou there vntill I bring thee word: for Herode will seeke the young childe, to destroy him.

14When he arose, he tooke the yong childe and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15And was there vntill the death of Herode, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet, saying, Out of Egypt haue I called my sonne.

16 Then Herode, when hee saw that hee was mocked of the Wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent foorth, and slewe all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two yeeres olde and vnder, according to the time, which he had diligently enquired of the Wise men.

17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Ieremie the Prophet, saying,

18In 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.

19 But when Herode was dead, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeareth in a dreame to Ioseph in Egypt,

20Saying, Arise, and take the yong childe and his mother, and goe into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the yong childes life.

21And he arose, and tooke the yong childe and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22But when he heard that Archelaus did reigne in Iudea in the roome of his father Herod, hee was afraid to goe thither: notwithstanding, beeing warned of God in a dreame, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

23And hee came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets, He shalbe called a Nazarene.

I == Gen 10:30 ; 25:6 ; 1st King 4:30 ; Luke 1:5 ; 2:4-7

II == Jer 23:5 ; Zech 9:9 ; Num 24:17 ; Isa. 60:3 ; Mark 15:2 ; Luke 1:49 ; 2:11

IV == 2nd Chr 34:13 ; 36:14 ; Mal 2:7

V == John 7:42

VI == Mic 5:2 ; John 7:42 ; Rev 2:27

XI == Ps 72:10 ; Isa 60:6 ; Matt 1:18 ;

XII == Matt 1:20 2:22 ; Acts 10:22 ; Heb 11:7

XV == Hos 11:1 ; Ex 4:22

XVII == Jer 31:15

XVIII == Jer 31:15

XIX == Matt 1:20 ; 2:13

XXIII == Judg 13:5 ; 1st Sam 1:11 ; John 1:45 ; Luke 1:26 ; Mark 1:24

1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." 3 When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 6 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage." 9 After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

THE ESCAPT TO EGYPT

13 When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." 14 Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. 15 He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son." 16 When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: 18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more."

THE RETURN FROM EGYPT

19 When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, "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 He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. 23 He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazorean."

v 1,2. RISE, TAKE THE CHILD: God works using the structures of the family. Joseph being responsible for their well being because he was the head of the family and is why the angel was instructing him ( Eph 5:21 6:3 )

THE WISE MEN, OR MAGI....: (Magi, a technical term for a Persian priest versed in magic and astrology) studied the stars and were probably from the area of Babylon. They may have been influenced by Jewish scholars descended from the captivities. At one time Daniel was head of all, and they were apparently familiar with Balaam’s prophecy that a star would come out of Jacob. These things are in technical agreement with arrangement of constellations their counsel was considered when choosing eastern kings, so they were considered “king makers”. In this capacity they were anxious to see this new King that was born.

Important things of Johns { A.} In v2 his message is exactly the same of Jesus’ in Mk 1:14, 15 * sorrow for sins, failures, as moral conversion. {B} John is a pathfinder (Isa 40:3 ) for Jesus, { C } He challenges Pharisees and Sadducees. { D } He proclaims an imminent judgment (V10) { E } He employs apocalypse, imagery.

v 3. King Herod was an Edomite, not a Jew, yet this Gentile considered this baby to be the "Messiah of the Jews". v 4. He wanted no challenge to his or his descendant’s throne, and demanded of the Jews where the child would be born, which they were easily able to give from Micah 5:2. They were not interested in pursuing it farther, but Herod wanted to know the exact time the star appeared, already thinking about killing the child. He wanted the wise men to return with easy directions for finding Him so Herod lied to them and said he wanted to go and worship the baby. V 6 AND YOU OBETHLELHEM.....: Mic 5:2, 2nd Sam 5:2 Both where the birth and kingship were central. According to Mic 5:2 the greatness that would come out of Bethlehem would far out weigh how small it was. 2nd Sam 5:2 had a narrating of these OT Texts by the priest and scribes (2:4) indicating their close association with Messianic expectations during NT times.

9-12. The unusual travel pattern of the star, not just the normal east to west, but north to south, and the fact it stood over the house, makes it seems that it was none other than the Shekinah glory of the Lord.

A period of a year to two years, more or less, may have transpired while they investigated the star, got a caravan together and made the long journey to Bethlehem.

No where does it state how many wise men, the number three has been used because of the three gifts. There might of been only three wise men but they would of had any where from three to ten or more slaves to take care of the animals and many personal things for the wise men.

These men were able to bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh would have come in a large caravan for safety of robbers and thieves.

Those gifts were valuable for the sustenance of the family during their exile in Egypt.

V 11 INTO THE HOUSE.....: This would suggest that it happen between Jesus' presence in the manger (LK 2:7) and the early visit of the Shepherds (LK 2:15-17)

The gifts that the Magi brought signified the mystery of Christ incarnate.

GOLD....: A symbol of royalty, represents the kingship of Jesus and it spoke of his “deity: Gold was also used for Jewelry, furnishing for the temple, and many objects were made from Gold.  

FRANKINCEASE ....: Was used in worship of God which points to his divinity. Frankincense was an  aromatic gum resin obtained from the Boswells tree. Part of the sacred anointing oil (Ex 30:34) used in sacrificial offering (Lev 2:1) Used as a fumigant during animal sacrifices (Ex 30:7) and as perfume (Song 3:6) Frankincense also spoke of his “humanity.” The Magic being Astrologers knew about the Stars having them recall the OT prophecy in (Num 24:17) Balaam had predicted "A star shall come forth out of Jacob and scepter shall rise out of Israel" {{2}} It is noteworthy that the king makers worshiped this king before being warned to return a different way.

MYRRH....: A burial ointment, signifies the humanity of Christ, in his passion and his death especially. All these gifts can be presented to God in our daily lives. Gold is Christ's wisdom that shine in us, frankincense is the prayer and adoration we give him (Riv 8:3-4) and Myrrh would be our daily self-sacrifice ( 10:39, Rom 12:1 ) Myrrh was an extract from a stiff branched tree with white flowers and plum like fruit. Ingredient used in anointing oil Ex 30:23 Perfume Ps 45:8 Prov 7: 17, Purification rites for woman Esther 2:12 gifts for the infant Jesus Matt 2:11 Embalming John 19:39, and myrrh spoke of his “future suffering.”

Verses 13 – 15 The Flight To Egypt

MT 2:13 THE ESCAPE TO EGYPT

MT 2:13-18 THE FIFTH STEP FROM BETHEHEM TO EGYPT

v 13-15. Joseph was also warned in a dream, and escaped to Egypt at night with his family until told to return. This fulfilled Hosea 11:1, Out of Egypt have I called my Son. This relates Christ to the entire nation of Israel as they came out in Exodus. 

V 15 OUT OF EGYPT: Quotation from Hos 11:1 Matthew anticipates its fulfillment in 2:21 Hosea 11:1 points back to the Exodus, where God's "first born son " ( Ex 4:22) Under the oppressive Pharaoh Israel was delivered from slavery. Matthew sees all of this pointing toward Jesus the eternal first born son ( Rom 8:29) and then delivered from the Tyrant Herod and then later is brought out of Egypt. (2:21)v 16-17. Rachel’s tomb was near Bethlehem, and Jer. 31:15 refers first to the Babylonian murders and next to the slaughter of Jewish baby boys at this time. Extravagant history shows a similar portrait of Herod as he murdered his favorite wife, three sons and any one who was a threat to his throne, so the murder of babies in this small community did not attract the interest of Josephus and other Jewish writers.

V 18 A VOICE WAS HEARD...: (Jer 31:15) A citation from Ramah...: As a place of sorrow and exile it was a city five miles north of Jerusalem.

Matthew sees Bethlehem as a New city of sorrow where the young, Jesus, representing Israel are carried away or killed. History has the Assyrians first devastated Northern Israel in the eight century B.C They conducted this by sweeping through the land and destroying the city (IS 10:29 Hos 5:8) Ramah became the assembly point for hauling away captives after the Babylonians conquered the southern tribes in the sixth century B.C. (Jer 40:1)

Two different place are listed for the burial place of Rachel RACHEL...: A tradition place that has her tomb on the outskirts of Bethlehem, in a location of where she gave birth to Benjamin in sorrow (Gen 35:17-19 ) While some has her tomb in the tribal territory of Benjamin near Ramah (1st Sam 10:2 Josh 18:28)

MT 2:19 THE RETURN FROM EGYPT

v 19-21. An angel appeared in a dream and commanded him to return to his land as Herod was dead.

They had probably got to Beersheba on the way to Bethlehem, when Joseph was contacted in a dream for the fourth time and told to go a different way because Herod’s cruel or insane son Archelaus reigned. After getting the angel message, they could well have followed the road down the Bezor River valley to near Gaza. From there they would have followed the coastal highway about as far north as Joppa, where it would branch off a little farther inward. They would continue on north about 20 miles northwest of Shechem, it would head northeast toward Nain. About 4 miles before they got to Nain, another road would take them directly north into Nazareth. The Bible doesn't’t tell us, but this trade route was most likely for them to take. This was said to fulfill another prophecy, perhaps Isa. 11:1 or a composite of prophecy.

V 22 ARCHELKAUS, SON CALLD A NAZARENE: No prophecy corresponds to the exact wording in OF HEROD THE GREAT: Upon Herod's death Augustus gave his three sons a part of his kingdom. Archelaus was given the the title "Ethnarch (The governor of a province or people) of Idumbs, Samaria, and Judea" Like his father he acquired the reputation of a ruthless and heavy hand in governing. Augustus banished him to Gaul in A.D. Joseph, Mary, and the child may of traveled North to the District of Galilee where Herod Antipas, Archelaus, younger brother ruled as Tetrarch until A.D. 39. V 23. NAZARETH: No where is it mentioned in the OT. It was insignificant to many Jews, because it was an obscure Galilean Village. (JN 1:46 ) HE SHALL BE the OT. Using several prophet's messages Matthew apparently paraphrases them into his statement. Using the Hebrew word "NETSER" translated as "branch" (IS 11:1)

V 23 The people of Nazareth were despised by many of the Jews because they had an attitude of independence.