Matthew 2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:2

Where is he ... - There was at that time a prevalent expectation that some remarkable personage was about to appear in Judea. The Jews were anxiously looking for the coming of the Messiah. By computing the time mentioned by Daniel Daniel 9:25-27, they knew that the period was approaching when he would appear. This personage, they supposed would be a temporal prince, and they were expecting that he would deliver them from Roman bondage. It was natural that this expectation should spread into... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:3

Had heard these things - Had heard of their coming, and of the star, and of the design of their coming.He was troubled - Herod had obtained the kingdom by great crimes, and by shedding much blood. He was therefore easily alarmed by any remarkable appearances; and the fact that this star appeared, and that it was regarded as proof that a King of the Jews was born, alarmed him. Besides, it was a common expectation that the Messiah was about to appear, and he feared that his reign was about to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:4

The chief priests - By the chief priests here are meant not only the high priest and his deputy, but. also the heads or chiefs of the 24 classes into which David had divided the sacerdotal families, 1 Chronicles 23:6; 1 Chronicles 24:0; 2 Chronicles 8:14; Ezra 8:24.Scribes - By the scribes, in the New Testament, are meant learned men; men skilled in the law, or the lawyers of the nation. They kept the records of the Courts of justice, the registers of the synagogues, wrote articles of contract... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:5-6

By the prophet - The Sanhedrin answered without hesitation. The question where he would be born had been settled by prophecy. This prophecy is found in Micah 5:2. In that prophecy both the place of his birth and the character of the Messiah are so clearly set forth that there was no room to doubt. It will be observed that there is a considerable difference between the passage as quoted by the Sanhedrin and as it stands in Micah. The main point, however, is retained - the place of his birth. We... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:7

Privily - Secretly, privately. He did this to ascertain the time when Jesus was born.Diligently - Accurately, exactly. He took pains to learn the precise time when the star appeared. He did this because he naturally concluded that the star appeared just at the time of his birth, and he wished to know precisely how old the child was. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:8

Go, and search diligently ... - Herod took all possible means to obtain accurate information respecting the child, that he might be sure of destroying him. He not only ascertained the probable time of his birth, and the place where he would be born, but he sent the wise men that they might actually see him, and bring him word. All this might have looked suspicious if he had not clothed it with the appearance of religion. He said to them, therefore, that he did it that he might go and worship... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:9-10

The star ... went before them - From this it appears that the star was a luminous meteor, perhaps at no great distance from the ground. It is not unlikely that they lost sight of it after they had commenced their journey from the East. It is probable that it appeared to them first in the direction of Jerusalem. They concluded that the expected King had been born, and immediately commenced their journey to Jerusalem. When they arrived there, it was important that they should be directed to the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:11

The house - The place where he was born, or the place where they lived at that time.Fell down - This was the usual way of showing respect or homage among the Jews, Esther 8:3; Job 1:20; Daniel 3:7; Psalms 72:11; Isaiah 46:6.Worshipped him - Did him homage as King of the Jews. See the notes at Matthew 2:2.Had opened their treasures - The treasures which they had brought, or the boxes, etc., in which they had brought their gold, etc.They presented unto him gifts - These were presented to him as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:12

Warned of God - This was done, doubtless, because, if they had given Herod precise information where he was, it would have been easy for him to send forth and kill him. And from this we learn that God will watch over those whom He loves; that He knows how to foil the purposes of the wicked, and to deliver His own out of the hands of those who would destroy them.In a dream - See the note at Matthew 1:20. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:13

The angel appeareth to Joseph in a dream - See Matthew 1:20.Flee into Egypt - Egypt is situated to the southwest of Judea, and is distant from Bethlehem perhaps about 60 miles. It was at this time a Roman province. There were many Jews there, who had a temple and synagogues (see the notes at Isaiah 19:18), and Joseph, therefore, would be among his own countrymen, and yet beyond the reach of Herod. The jurisdiction of Herod extended only to the River Sihon, or “river of Egypt,” and, of course,... read more

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