November 8th 2026 Matthew ch 2
The visit of the Magi. Matthew is the only one to record this event. And we find at the beginning of this gospel of Matthew the contrast of Jew and Gentile. Matthew was the writer to the Jews Wise Men travelled hundreds of miles to see this new King The Jews could not travel five miles. But the Sanhedrin knew all about it. Why were they not curios. And want to go and see this event? How do we know they knew? Herod consulted them about this event.
V1 Bethlehem Ephrata.. Mentioned in Gen 13 16-19 and you must read Luke 2 1-7 as to why Bethlehem also Micah 5 v 2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Herod the King, Known as Herod the great was the son of Antipater, an Edomite, and was made king by the Romans in 43 B.C. His death occurring in 4 B.C. (our calendars err by at least four years) gives us the latest possible date for the birth of Christ.
Wise men (rnagoi) originally denoted the priestly caste among the Persians and Babylonians (cf. Dan 2 v 2,48; 4 v 6, 7; 5 v 7).
Later the name was applied by the Greeks to any sorcerer or charlatan (Acts 8 v 9; 13 v 8). Matthew uses the term in the better sense to designate honourable men from an Eastern religion. It is entirely conceivable that these men had made contact with Jewish exiles, or with the prophecies and influence of Daniel, and thus were in possession of OT prophecies regarding Messiah.
Why did the Magi come so far 2 possibilities
1. stemming from Noah--the promise of a baby Saviour All religions looked for a saviour to come (Shem Ham Japheth)
2. the Jews spent a lot of time in Babylon / Assyria with the Medes and Persians Strangers were listened too so they could hear new stories The Magi were thought to be astrologers watching the skies for signs.
V2 His star. All attempts to explain the star as a natural phenomenon are inadequate to account for its leading the Magi from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and then standing over the house. Rather, it was a special manifestation used of God both when it first appeared to indicate the fact of Christ's birth, and when it reappeared over Jerusalem to guide the Magi to the place. Since a direct revelation to the Magi is recorded (v. 12), there is nothing improbable in assuming a direct revelation at the beginning to impart the significance of the star.
V 3 to 5 When word reached Herod that the Magi were making search in Jerusalem for the King of the Jews, the king consulted the chief priests and scribes, two of the groups comprising the Sanhedrin. He was given the prediction in Mic ,5 v 2 which clearly names Bethlehem as the birthplace of Messiah This brought suspicion to Herod’s mind. A NEW KING OF THE JEWS???? He was the king of the Jews, there is to be no other in his reign.
7,8. Herod summoned the wise men, under pretence of sincere interest, and requested exact information of the star's first appearance ( it was apparently not as yet seen in Jerusalem). His motive, however, was to help him fix the precise date of Jesus' birth, that he might more easily locate and destroy Him. He could then guess how old this baby would be
V 9,10. The star which they saw in the east now reappeared to act as guide from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
They continued to follow the star to Bethlehem Where were the scribes and Pharisees? ,.. they were not interested, …after all it is in the scriptures. Why not go and see? Micah 5 v2 was a relatively new scripture only 400 years old
So why not check out this sighting, or had they better things to do.
V 11 The house (not the manger) in which the Magi found the infant Jesus points to the fact that this visit followed Jesus' birth by a considerable interval, perhaps of months (cf. v. 16). The three gifts have given rise to the tradition of three wise men. Tradition even names them: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. But tradition is not necessarily fact. Gold, frankincense, myrrh were thought by ancient commentators to show recognition of Jesus as (1)King, (2) Son of God, and (3) one destined to die,
12. Warned of God. A special divine revelation directed the Magi to avoid Herod on their return.
Flight into Egypt and Massacre of the Infants. 2 v 13-18. Again we are indebted to Matthew alone for this material. Both incidents are related to OT passages. Such relationship of OT and NT passages is characteristic of this Gospel.
V 13,14. Joseph a second time received angelic instruction (cf. 1 v 20);- and took Jesus and Mary to Egypt.
The hurried trip seems to have begun the same night the Magi departed.
In Egypt, where there was a large Jewish population, the family would have been welcome without undue notice.
15. The death of Herod after a revolting illness is recorded in detail by Josephus (Antiq. xvii. 6.5). That it might be fulfilled relates this experience to Hosea 11 v 1, a passage referring historically to the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. Matthew sees Israel in this prophecy as a type of Jesus Christ, God's unique Son.
16. Slew all the children. That Herod's murderous act (which included no more than a few dozen infants, because of the ( smallness of Bethlehem) should have gone unrecorded in other histories is not surprising, because of the king's frequent outrages. He was the murderer of his wife and three sons. Josephus calls him "a man of great barbarity towards all men equally" (Anliq. xvii. 8.1).
Two years old and under shows that Herod was taking no chances of missing his victim. Jesus was not necessarily two years old.
V 17,18 Rachel weeping for her children. A quotation of Jer 31 v 15, which depicts the wailing at the time of Israel's exile. That calamity, caused by Israel's sin, eventually brought Herod to the throne, and now this new atrocity. Matthew views both calamities as part of the same picture.
The Residence at Nazareth. 2 v 19 - 23, From Matthew you would suppose that Bethlehem was the original residence. Luke supplements by showing Nazareth to be the former home. Joseph apparently intended to dwell permanently in Bethlehem until his plans were divinely altered.
V 19-22. They are dead. A reference to Herod, and thus an phrase reminiscent of Ex 4 v 19. Archelaus, son of Herod the Great and his Samaritan wife, Malthace, was as brutal as his father. So Joseph needed to be warned (or instructed) of God as to the next step.
23. Nazareth seems to have been chosen by Joseph himself, within the providence of God.
Why Matthew regarded this as a fulfilment of prophecy is difficult to understand.
By the prophets. prevents our seeking only one OT passage, thus making doubtful any play on words based on neser, "branch," in Isaiah 11 v 1, although this is the common view.
It seems better to understand Matthew as seeing in this residence at little Nazareth, a most unlikely place for Messiah (John 1 v 46), a fulfilment of all those OT prophecies which indicate that Messiah would be despised (e.g., Isa 53 v 3; Ps 22 v 6; Dan 9 v 26).
News from the Church New dates
18th November ……. Knit and Natter group, all welcome, bring your own project or come to learn a
new one. Starts at 1 pm, come along any time after that
21st November………Christmas Fayre at 2-30pm
2nd December..………Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
ANSWERS TO 1st November QUESTIONS
1) The Major Prophets 2) Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel 3) they wrote longer books with more content 4) Obey God and prosper, disobey and suffer 5) 66 6) 700 years 7) Amoz
8) Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel
9) Maher-shalal-hash-baz 10) Wonderful. Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace 11) Lucifer 12) Because of pride 13) Isaiah 14) the way is so plain that the wayfaring men though fools, shall not err therein 15) ch 53 16) Married
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is about Jeremiah
1 What is Jeremiah also called?
2 Why did he weep?
3 Are there more Jeremiah’s in the Bible?
4 Who was the father of Jeremiah?
5 Did Jeremiah call the people a backsliding people?
6 Which city was most of his preaching done?
7 In Jeremiah’s time why did God scatter Judah?
8 Where does it say “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked”?
9 What nation was referred to as being clay in the hand of the potter?
10 What was Manasseh’s great sin?
11 What does is say about the Pastor who scatters his flock?
12 What king of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem?
13 What did the king of Babylon do to King Zedekiah?
14 Where was Jeremiah standing when he said “Hear the Word of the Lord all ye of Judah” ?
15 Where was Jeremiah when he said the Lord says “I will break this people and this city” ?
16 Where did they put Jeremiah when they captured him?
God Bless