Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
Matthew 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
Matthew 2
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written through the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: For out of thee shall come forth a governor, Who shall be shepherd of my people Israel. Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found [him,] bring me word, that I also may come and worship him." — Matthew 2:1-8 (ASV)
Those who live at the greatest distance from the means of grace often use the most diligence, and learn the most about Christ and His salvation. But no ingenious methods or mere human learning can direct people to Him. We must learn about Christ by paying attention to the Word of God, as a light that shines in a dark place, and by seeking the teaching of the Holy Spirit.
And those in whose hearts the day-star has risen, giving them some knowledge of Christ, make it their business to worship Him. Though Herod was very old, had never shown affection for his family, and was not himself likely to live until a newborn infant had grown to manhood, he began to be troubled with the dread of a rival. He did not understand the spiritual nature of the Messiah's kingdom.
Let us beware of a dead faith. A man may be persuaded of many truths, and yet hate them, because they interfere with his ambition or sinful indulgences. Such a belief will make him uneasy and more resolved to oppose the truth and the cause of God; and he may be foolish enough to hope for success in this.
"And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned [of God] in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." — Matthew 2:9-12 (ASV)
What joy these wise men felt upon seeing this star, no one knows as well as those who, after a long and melancholy night of temptation and desertion, under the power of a spirit of bondage, at last receive the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with their spirits that they are the children of God. We may well imagine what a disappointment it was to them when they found a cottage was his palace, and his own poor mother the only attendant he had. However, these wise men did not think themselves baffled; but having found the King they sought, they presented their gifts to him.
The humble seeker of Christ will not be stumbled at finding him and his disciples in obscure cottages, after having sought them in vain in palaces and populous cities. Is a soul earnestly seeking Christ? Does it desire to worship him, and does it say, "Alas! I am a foolish and poor creature, and have nothing to offer?" Nothing!
Do you not have a heart, though unworthy of him, dark, hard, and foul? Give it to him as it is, and be willing for him to use and dispose of it as he pleases; he will take it, and will make it better, and you shall never repent having given it to him. He shall shape it to his own likeness, and will give you himself, and be yours forever. The gifts the wise men presented were gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Providence sent these as a timely relief to Joseph and Mary in their present poor condition. Thus our heavenly Father, who knows what his children need, uses some as stewards to supply the needs of others, and can provide for them, even from the ends of the earth.
"Now when they were departed, behold, an 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 tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son." — Matthew 2:13-15 (ASV)
Egypt had been a house of bondage to Israel, and particularly cruel to the infants of Israel; yet it was to be a place of refuge for the holy Child Jesus. God, when he pleases, can make the worst of places serve the best of purposes. This was a trial of the faith of Joseph and Mary. But their faith, when tested, was found firm. If we and our infants are at any time in trouble, let us remember the straits in which Christ was when an infant.
"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she would not be comforted, because they are not." — Matthew 2:16-18 (ASV)
Herod killed all the male children, not only in Bethlehem, but in all the villages of that city. Unbridled wrath, armed with an unlawful power, often carries men to absurd cruelties. It was no unrighteous thing with God to permit this; every life is forfeited to his justice as soon as it begins. The diseases and deaths of little children are proofs of original sin.
But the murder of these infants was their martyrdom. How early did persecution against Christ and his kingdom begin! Herod now thought that he had baffled the Old Testament prophecies, and the efforts of the wise men in finding Christ; but whatever crafty, cruel devices are in men's hearts, the counsel of the Lord shall stand.
"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 that sought the young child`s life. And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned [of God] in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee, and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene." — Matthew 2:19-23 (ASV)
Egypt may serve to sojourn in, or take shelter in, for a while, but not to dwell in. Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel; to them He must return.
If we only looked upon the world as our Egypt—the place of our bondage and banishment—and heaven only as our Canaan—our home, our rest—we would as readily arise and depart there when we are called, as Joseph did out of Egypt.
The family must settle in Galilee. Nazareth was a place held in low regard, and Christ was crucified with this accusation: Jesus the Nazarene.
Wherever Providence allots the place of our dwelling, we must expect to share the reproach of Christ. Yet we may glory in being called by His name, sure that if we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him.
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