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Matthew 2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

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.

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

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

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.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

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.

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.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

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.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

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.

When he arose, he 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 of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

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.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

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.

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.

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.

What does Matthew 2:7 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 2:7 narrates an episode involving King Herod and the wise men (Magi) from the east who visited Jerusalem after the birth of Jesus Christ. Herod had learned from these Magi that they had come to worship the "King of the Jews," whose birth they had inferred from the appearance of a star.

The verse indicates that Herod met with the wise men secretly and asked them to pinpoint the exact time when the star had appeared. This request seems ostensibly to gather information for worship, but it soon becomes clear that Herod's intentions are far from benign.

This verse sets the stage for subsequent events, where Herod's true motives are revealed, and highlights the theme of light versus darkness, as well as the collision between divine purpose and human political power.

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Historical Context

Matthew 2:7 is set in the context of the first century Roman province of Judea.

Herod the Great ruled from 37 to 4 BCE, and he is known for his significant architectural projects as well as his ruthless tactics to maintain power, including the murder of members of his own family.

The timeframe that the Magi visit, guided by the star, is oftentimes calculated by scholars to be between 4 BCE and 2 BCE, during the last years of Herod's reign.

The historical and cultural setting involves a deeply messianic expectation among Jews, juxtaposed with the political paranoia of a king who sees a potential rival in the prophecy of a new "King of the Jews."

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse contributes to the narrative of Jesus as the Messianic King, a theme pervasive in the Gospel of Matthew.

For Christians, the verse can be seen to foreshadow the opposition Jesus would face from political powers throughout his life.

The diligence of Herod's inquiry may reflect the careful studies of prophecies by those in power to counter any perceived threats, while also reluctantly confirming the accuracy and significance of the Messianic prophecies.

The star can symbolize divine guidance and revelation, leading the pagans (the wise men) to Christ; therefore, the verse also suggests the universal scope of Jesus's mission.

Practical Applications

Relating to daily life, the verse can prompt reflection on motives and sincerity.

It encourages individuals to investigate their own intentions when seeking information or interacting with others.

The actions of Herod serve as a warning against duplicity and the exploitation of what is sacred for personal gain or manipulation.

Additionally, it can inspire individuals to be vigilant about the information they disclose and to whom, considering the intentions that others may have.

Cross-References

Matthew 2:1-2: The wise men's journey begins.
Matthew 2:16: Herod's violent reaction upon realizing he was outsmarted by the Magi.
Luke 2:1-7: The birth of Jesus and the political context of the Roman Empire.
Micah 5:2: A prophecy pointing to Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah.
Revelation 12:1-5: The image of a child threatened by a dragon, symbolically reflecting Herod's intent toward Jesus.

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek of this verse are:

"Herodes" (Herod): Referring to King Herod the Great.
"Lathra" (privily): Indicates the secret or covert manner in which Herod called the Magi.
"Akribos" (diligently): Depicts the thoroughness and precision of Herod's inquiry.
"Pempo" (called): The verb used to describe Herod summoning the Magi.
"Aster" (star): Refers not just to a celestial body, but as symbolism for divine guidance.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultures, rulers often consulted astrologers and paid close attention to omens, including stars and celestial events.

The visit of the Magi aligns with this practice, as they interpreted the appearance of the star as a significant omen of a king's birth.

In comparison, some ancient myths feature stars as symbols of divine presence or destiny.

Herod's interest in the star's appearance indicates the intersection of Jewish Messianic expectations with broader cultural practices of the time.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, there has been much speculation about the nature of the star that guided the Magi.

Some theories suggest it was a conjunction of planets, a comet, or a supernova.

However, there is no definitive scientific evidence for any of these phenomena coinciding with the estimated time of Jesus's birth. The historical accuracy of the account is debated among scholars, with some viewing it as a theological construct rather than a historical event.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentators offer differing perspectives on this verse.

Some see the verse as revealing Herod's cunning and the danger it poses to the infant Jesus.

Others point to Matthew's intention to portray Jesus as the legitimate ruler in God's plan, in stark contrast to Herod.

Still, others focus on the historical and cultural setting, seeking to understand the motivations and worldview of Herod in light of first-century politics.

The verse's inclusion of the wise men hints at the idea of Gentile recognition of Jesus' kingship, which would become a significant theme in Christian theology regarding the inclusivity of the Gospel.

Matthew 2

Matthew 2

What does Matthew 2:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 2:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?