1._Now when Jesus had been born _How it came about that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Matthew does not say. The Spirit of God, who had appointed the Evangelists to be his clerks, (177) appears purposely to have regulated their style in such a manner, that they all wrote one and the same history, with... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Where is he who has been born King? _The notion of some commentators, that he is said to have been _born King, _by indirect contrast with one who has been _made _or _created _a king, appears to me too trifling. I rather suppose the _Magi _to have simply meant, that this king had been recently bor... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Herod the king was troubled _Herod was not unacquainted with the predictions, which promised to the Jews a King, who would restore their distressful and ruinous affairs to a prosperous condition. He had lived from a child among that nation, and was thoroughly acquainted with their affairs. Beside... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Having assembled the priests _Though deep silence prevailed respecting Christ in the Hall of Herod, yet, as soon as the _Magi _have thrown out the mention of a _King, _predictions are remembered, which formerly lay in oblivion. Herod instantly conjectures, that the _King, _about whom the _Magi _i... [ Continue Reading ]
6._And thou, Bethlehem _The scribes quoted faithfully, no doubt, the words of the passage in their own language, as it is found in the prophet. But Matthew reckoned it enough to point out the passage; and, as he wrote in Greek, he followed the ordinary reading. This passage, and others of the same k... [ Continue Reading ]
7._Then Herod, having secretly called the Magi _The tyrant did not dare to avow his fear and uneasiness, lest he might give fresh courage to a people, by whom he knew that he was hated. In public, therefore, he pretends that this matter does not concern him, but _inquires secretly, _in order to meet... [ Continue Reading ]
9._But they, having heard the King, departed _It is truly an instance of base sluggishness, that not one of the Jews offers himself as an escort to those foreigners, to go and see the King who had been promised to their own nation. The scribes show them the way, and point out the place where he was... [ Continue Reading ]
11._They found the young child _So revolting a sight might naturally have created an additional prejudice; for Christ was so far from having aught of royalty surrounding him, that he was in a meaner and more despised condition than any peasant child. But they are convinced that he is divinely appoin... [ Continue Reading ]
13._And when they had departed _How many days elapsed from the departure of the Magi, till Joseph was ordered to flee into Egypt, is not known, nor is it of much importance to inquire: only it is probable that the Lord spared Mary, till she was so far recovered from childbirth as to be able to perfo... [ Continue Reading ]
15._Out of Egypt have I called my Son _Matthew says that a prediction was fulfilled. Some have thought, that the intention of the prophet was different from what is here stated, and have supposed the meaning to be, that the Jews act foolishly in opposing and endeavoring to oppress the Son of God, be... [ Continue Reading ]
16._Then Herod when he saw _Matthew speaks according to what Herod felt and thought about the matter. He believed that the Magi had deceived him, because they did not choose to take part in his wicked cruelty. He was rather taken in his own trickery, — in his base pretense, that he too intended to p... [ Continue Reading ]
18.A _voice was heard in Ramah _It is certain that the prophet describes (Jeremiah 31:15) the destruction of the tribe of Benjamin, which took place in his time: for he had foretold that the tribe of Judah would be cut off, to which was added the half of the tribe of Benjamin. He puts the mourning i... [ Continue Reading ]
19._But when Herod was dead _These words show the perseverance of Joseph’s faith. He kept his feet firm in Egypt, till he was recalled to his native country by a command of God. We see, at the same time, that the Lord never disappoints his own people, but renders them seasonable aid. It is probable... [ Continue Reading ]
23._He shall be called a Nazarene _Matthew does not derive _Nazarene _from _Nazareth, _as if this were its strict and proper etymology, but only makes an allusion. The word נזיר, or _Nazarite, _signifies _holy and devoted to God, _and is derived from נזר, _to separate. _The noun נזר, indeed, signifi... [ Continue Reading ]