ALL VERSES: Mt 2:1, Mt 2:2, Mt 2:3, Mt 2:4, Mt 2:5, Mt 2:6, Mt 2:7, Mt 2:8, Mt 2:9, Mt 2:10, Mt 2:11, Mt 2:12, Mt 2:13, Mt 2:14, Mt 2:15, Mt 2:16, Mt 2:17, Mt 2:18, Mt 2:19, Mt 2:20, Mt 2:21, Mt 2:22, Mt 2:23
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
* The wise men’s search after Christ. (1-8) The wise men worship Jesus. (9-12) Jesus carried into Egypt. (13-15) Herod causes the infants of Bethlehem to be massacred. (16-18) Death of Herod, Jesus brought to Nazareth. (19-23)
The wise men’s search after Christ. (1-8)
1-8 Those who live at the greatest distance from the means of grace often use most diligence, and learn to know the most of Christ and his salvation. But no curious arts, or mere human learning, can direct men unto him. We must learn of Christ by attending to the word of God, as a light that shineth in a dark place, and by seeking the teaching of the Holy Spirit. And those in whose hearts the day-star is risen, to give them any thing of the knowledge of Christ, make it their business to worship him. Though Herod was very old, and never had shown affection for his family, and was not himself likely to live till a new-born infant had grown up to manhood, he began to be troubled with the dread of a rival. He understood not 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 may hate them, because they interfere with his ambition, or sinful indulgences. Such a belief will make him uneasy, and the more resolved to oppose the truth and the cause of God; and he may be foolish enough to hope for success therein.
The wise men worship Jesus. (9-12)
9-12 What joy these wise men felt 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. We may well think 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 inquirer after Christ will not be stumbled at finding him and his disciples in obscure cottages, after having in vain sought them in palaces and populous cities. Is a soul busy, seeking after Christ? Would it worship him, and does it say, Alas! I am a foolish and poor creature, and have nothing to offer? Nothing! Hast thou not a heart, though unworthy of him, dark, hard, and foul? Give it to him as it is, and be willing that he use and dispose of it as it pleases him; he will take it, and will make it better, and thou shalt never repent having given it to him. He shall frame it to his own likeness, and will give thee himself, and be thine for ever. The gifts the wise men presented were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Providence sent these as a seasonable 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 wants of others, and can provide for them, even from the ends of the earth.
Jesus carried into Egypt. (13-15)
13-15 Egypt had been a house of bondage to Israel, and particularly cruel to the infants of Israel; yet it is to be a place of refuge to 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, being tried, 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.
Herod causes the infants of Bethlehem to be massacred. (16-18)
16-18 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.
Death of Herod, Jesus brought to Nazareth. (19-23)
19-23 Egypt may serve to sojourn in, or take shelter in, for awhile, but not to abide in. Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, to them he must return. 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. The family must settle in Galilee. Nazareth was a place held in bad esteem, and Christ was crucified with this accusation, Jesus the Nazarene. Wherever Providence allots the bounds of our habitation, 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.
Salient points in Matthew 2
Wise men come from the east to worship Christ, 1, 2.
Herod, hearing of the birth of our Lord, is greatly troubled, 3;
and makes inquiry of the chief priests and scribes, where the
Christ should be born, 4.
They inform him of the prophecy relative to Bethlehem, 5, 6.
The wise men, going to Bethlehem, are desired by Herod to bring
him word when they have found the child, pretending that he
wished to do him homage, 7, 8.
The wise men are directed by a star to the place where the young
child lay, adore him, and offer him gifts, 9-11.
Being warned of God not to return to Herod, they depart into
their own country another way, 12.
Joseph and Mary are divinely warned to escape into Egypt,
because Herod sought to destroy Jesus, 13, 14.
They obey, and continue in Egypt till the death of Herod, 15.
Herod, finding that the wise men did not return, is enraged, and
orders all the young children in Bethlehem, under two years of
age, to be massacred, 16-18.
Herod dies, and Joseph is divinely warned to return to the land
of Israel, 19-21.
Finding that Archelaus reigned in Judea in place of his father
Herod, he goes to Galilee, and takes up his residence at
Nazareth, 22, 23.