Matthew 2:1

Matthew 2:1

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

a. NLT: Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise menfn from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,

b. NIV: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

c. Amplified Bible: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men [astrologers] from the east came to Jerusalem, asking,

d. Young’s Literal Translation: And Jesus having been born in Beth-Lehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, lo, mages from the east came to Jerusalem,

e. Worrell Translation: And Jesus having been born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of herod the King, behold, wise men from the east cam to Jerusalem,

1. “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea…”

a. now [1161 * de] [Strong:  a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. Jesus [2424 * lesous] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (3091); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.]

c. in [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

d. Bethlehem [965 * Bethleem] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (1036); Bethleem (i.e. Beth-lechem), a place in Palestine:--Bethlehem.]

e. Judea [2449 * loudaia] [Strong:

1). Around 710 B.C. Micah prophesied of the Messiah’s first coming.

a). Micah 5:2 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.

2). We know this was speaking of God because in Psalms it uses the same language.

a). Psalm 90:1, 2 LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hast formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

2. “…in the days of Herod the King…”

a. in [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

b. days [2250 * hemera] [Strong: feminine (with 5610 implied) of a derivative of hemai (to sit; akin to the base of 1476) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):--age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.]

c. Herod [2264 * Herodes] [Strong: compound of heros (a "hero") and 1491; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings:--Herod.]

d. king [935 * basileus] [Strong: probably from 939 (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively):--king.]

1). This part of the verse give us a rough date. Herod ruled from 37 B.C. to 4 B.C. Scholars believe that Jesus was born around 4 B.C.

3. “…behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.”

a. behold [2400 * idou] [Strong: second person singular imperative middle voice of 1492; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.]

b. there came [3854 * paraginomai; para-to, at; ginomai-to be, come] [Strong: from 3844 and 1096; to become near, i.e. approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly:--come, go, be present.

c. wise men [3097 * magos] [Zodhiates: Magi, the name for priests  and wise men among the Medes, Persians, Babylonians. Great, powerful men. Magi specialized in the study of astrology and enchantment and thus were known as enchanters, magicians (Dan.1:20; 2:2, 27; 5:7.) The Chaldeans called them wise (Dan. 2:12, 18, 24, 27; 5:7, 8 [cf. 5:11, 12]) In the NT they represent the name of the Magi, wise men from the east, most probably from Persia or Arabia, who came to salute the newborn Messiah (Matthew 2:1, 7, 16.) Also spoken of a magician, sorcerer, diviner (Acts 13:6, 8).]

1). Who were the Magi, Chuck Missler: “The ancient Magi were a hereditary priesthood of the Medes …credited with profound and extraordinary religious knowledge. After some Magi, who had been attached to the Median court, proved to be expert in the interpretation of dreams, Darius the Great established them over the state religion of Persia…It was in this dual capacity, whereby civil and political counsel was invested with religious authority, that the Magi became the supreme priestly caste of the Persian empire and continued to be prominent during the subsequent Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanian periods. One of the titles given to Daniel was Rab-mag, the Chief of the Magi (Daniel 4:9; 5:11). His unusual career included being a principal administrator in two world empires, the Babylonian and the subsequent Persian Empire. When Darius appointed him, a Jew, over the previously hereditary Median priesthood, the resulting repercussions led to the plots involving the ordeal of the lions den, (Daniel 6). Daniel apparently entrusted a Messianic vision (to be announced in due time by a “star”) to a secret sect of the Magi for its eventual fulfillment. It was at this time (the time of Christ), that the Magi, in their dual priestly and governmental office, composed the upper house of the Council of the Megistanes (from which we get the term “magistrates”), whose duties included the absolute choice and selection of the king of the realm. It was, therefore a group of Persian-Parthian “king-makers” who entered Jerusalem in the latter days of Herod. Herod’s reaction was understandably one of fear when one considers the background of Roman-Parthian rivalry that prevailed during his lifetime…In Jerusalem, the sudden appearance of the Magi, probably traveling in force with all imaginable oriental pomp and accompanied by an adequate cavalry escort to insure their safe penetration of Roman territory, certainly alarmed Herod and the populace of Jerusalem.

2). Hence the reaction of Herod along with all of Jerusalem.

a). Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

3). One of the things that impresses me most about Daniel being the leader of the Magi is that his impact lasted over 500 years. He had instructed the Magi concerning the approximate time of the birth and death of the Messiah. Daniel was told by the angel Gabriel of the times of the Messiah.

a).  Daniel 9:21-26 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

4). Institute Of Creation Research: The phrase "wise men," in Matthew 2:1, 7, is Magi (or Magoi) in the Greek original, and applies to members of a special group of men. A class of scholars called the Magi (from which our modern word "magic" is derived) may originally have come from a certain tribe in Media, and may even have later become a part of the governing body of Persia. This is uncertain, but what does appear to be well established is the fact that they were especially interested in astronomy and the prophetic "wisdom" that this talent seemed to give them. They eventually became a sort of priestly caste, and were attached to the royal courts of Babylonia and Persia and even those of more distant lands such as Arabia and India, as consultants and advisers to the nobles of those lands. There is even an ancient tradition that Balaam, the notorious prophet from Mesopotamia, was an early member of the Magi, perhaps even their founder. If so, this fact would at least partially explain why the Magi at the time of Christ were aware that a special star would be used by God to announce the Savior's birth to this world. It was Balaam's prophecy, of course, as recorded in the Bible, that spoke of this future star. Here is his prophecy, actually constrained by God to be uttered against the prophet's own will. I shall see Him, but not now: I shall behold Him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth, and Edom shall be a possession. Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. Out of Jacob shall come He that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city (Numbers 24:17-19). Thus Balaam's reluctant, but divinely inspired, prophecy, revealed that a unique Star associated with Israel would accompany a future Sceptre (that is, King) who would eventually rule the world. The later Magi, especially those in Babylon and Persia (where the influence of Daniel, as well as Mordecai and Esther) had been profound and long-lasting, would surely be familiar with this prophecy and also the various prophecies of Daniel (who had been the most respected of the "wise men" at the courts of Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus? note Daniel 2:45; 6:28). Some of the Magi may even have been Jews in religion, if not in ethnicity. At the time of God's great deliverance of the Jews in Persia during the days of Queen Esther, it was recorded that "many of the people of the land became Jews" (Esther 8:17). This event in itself would constrain many of the Persian members of the Magi at that time to study the Jewish sacred books, especially the Messianic prophecies of Daniel. This lore would have become a key part of the Magi's traditional learning, handed down generation after generation, even to the time of Christ. Among these Danielic prophecies, of course, given during the reign of Darius the Mede, was the great prophecy of the "seventy weeks," which revealed that the Messiah would come as Prince of Israel 483 years after the Persian emperor gave the commandment to the Jews to rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24, 25). It would easily be possible for the Persian Magi, as the promised date came near, to put these prophecies of Balaam and Daniel together, and thus be watching for "His star" to appear. Something like this may at least partly explain why the Persian Magi?and not the Herodians and the rationalistic Sadducees (who comprised most of the Jewish religious leaders of the time) were aware of the significance of the star when it appeared. It is quite possible also that the "wise men" from this same caste who were prominent as counsellors in Babylon and other lands (even Arabia and India) were also aware of what was happening. It may be possible (as the tradition suggests) that Magi from other lands as well as Persia joined the entourage journeying to Jerusalem to seek this promised "King of the Jews." There is no convincing reason to think that only three Magi came. The fact that three types of gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh) were offered does not mean that only three men offered the gifts. The Bible does not say how many there were, but there may well have been many more than three. http://www.icr.org/home/resources/resources_tracts_whentheysawthestar/

5). Though tradition has the Magi coming on the very night Christ was born, they actually arrived about two years later, after Joseph and Mary had moved to Bethlehem and were in a house. During this time, Jesus was no longer a “babe” but a young    child.

a). Matthew 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.

b). young child [3813 * paidion]  [Thayer: a young child, a little boy, a little girl.] [Strong: neuter diminutive of 3816; a childling (of either sex), i.e. (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian:--(little, young) child, damsel.]

d. from [575 * apo] [Strong: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.]

e. east [395 * Anatole] [Strong: from 393; a rising of light, i.e. dawn (figuratively); by implication, the east (also in plural):--dayspring, east, rising.]

f. Jerusalem [2414* Hierosoluma] [Strong: of Hebrew origin (3389); Hierosolyma (i.e. Jerushalaim}, the capitol of Palestine:--Jerusalem.]