Bethlehem of Judea — This city is mentioned in Judges 17:7, and must be distinguished from another of the same name in the tribe of Zebulon, Joshua 19:15. It is likewise called Ephrath, Genesis 48:7, or Ephratah, Micah 5:2, and its inhabitants Ephrathites, Ruth 1:2; 1 Samuel 17:12. It is situated on the declivity of a hill, about six miles from Jerusalem. בית לחם Beth-lechem, in Hebrew, signifies the house of bread. And the name may be considered as very properly applied to that place where Jesus, the Messiah, the true bread that came down from heaven, was manifested, to give life to the world.
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 unregarded: herein he emptied himself, and made himself of no reputation.
The King is born and now He must be acknowledged.
2:2 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.
There came wise men from the east — Or, Magi came from the eastern countries. "The Jews believed that there were prophets in the kingdom of Saba and Arabia, who were of the posterity of Abraham by Keturah; and that they taught in the name of God, what they had received in tradition from the mouth of Abraham."..... Who and what these wise men were; they are here called Magoi—Magicians. Some that it in a good sense; the Magi among the Persians were their philosophers and their priests; We have seen his star — Having discovered an unusual luminous appearance or meteor in the heavens, supposing these persons to have been Jews, and knowing the prophecies relative to the redemption of Israel, they probably considered this to be the star mentioned by Balaam, Numbers 24:17.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.
To worship him — Or, To do Him homage; προσκυνησαι αυτω.
2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with Him.
When Herod - heard these things, he was troubled — Herod's consternation was probably occasioned by the agreement of the account of the magi, with an opinion predominant throughout the east, and particularly in Judea, that some great personage would soon make his appearance, for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies; and would take upon himself universal empire.
2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Observe how joyfully they followed God's direction. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
2:11 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.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.
They presented their gifts to Him -- These were the products of their own country; what God favors us with, we must honor Him with.
* Some think there was a significancy 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.
2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 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.
To worship him — Or, To do Him homage; προσκυνησαι αυτω.
2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with Him.
When Herod - heard these things, he was troubled — Herod's consternation was probably occasioned by the agreement of the account of the magi, with an opinion predominant throughout the east, and particularly in Judea, that some great personage would soon make his appearance, for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies; and would take upon himself universal empire.
2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
When the earth-king dabbles in theology, it bodes no good to truth. Herod, among priests and scribes, is Herod still.
2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
They were right in their conclusion, though somewhat cloudy in their quotation. Jesus was to be born in the city of David, in Bethlehem, which is, being interpreted, “the house of bread.” Though the city was but a little one, His birth therein made it famous. Jesus ennobles all that He touches.
---These scribes knew where to find the text about the Savior’s birth and they could put their finger upon the spot in the map where He should be born, and yet they knew not the King, neither cared to seek Him out.
2:6 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.
2:6 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.
Among the princes of Juda — In Micah 5:2, it is, the thousands of Judah. There is much reason to believe that each tribe was divided into small portions called thousands, as in England certain small divisions of counties are called hundreds.
2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
The bloody project and design of Herod, occasioned by this enquiry. 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.
2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
The bloody project and design of Herod, occasioned by this enquiry. 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;
2:8 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.
That I may come and worship him also — What exquisite hypocrisy was here! he only wished to find out the child that he might murder Him; but see how that God who searches the heart prevents the designs of wicked men from being accomplished!
2:9 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.
2:8 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.
That I may come and worship him also — What exquisite hypocrisy was here! he only wished to find out the child that he might murder Him; but see how that God who searches the heart prevents the designs of wicked men from being accomplished!
2:9 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.
See how the stars above as well as men below
pay their obeisances to the Newborn King!
2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Observe how joyfully they followed God's direction. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
2:11 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.
They presented their gifts to Him -- These were the products of their own country; what God favors us with, we must honor Him with.
* Some think there was a significancy 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.
Those who worship Him will consecrate their substance to Him.
2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
