Matthew 2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:1

Matthew 2:1. Now when Jesus was born It is matter of great doubt when the following remarkable occurrence happened. The received time of celebrating the Epiphany imports that it was within thirteen days of the birth of Christ. But as it is not likely that the star made its appearance till he was born, so it does not seem at all probable that the wise men could have prepared for and accomplished so long a journey in so short a space of time, especially as they tarried some days, at the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:2

Matthew 2:2. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews That is, their lawful and hereditary sovereign, Herod not being such. The wise men are under no kind of doubts in their inquiry; but being fully persuaded that he was born, and believing that this was known to all there, they only inquire where he was born. By this inquiry the birth of Christ was more publicly declared to the Jews, and more fully attested; the coming of these grave and understanding persons from a distant... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:3

Matthew 2:3. When Herod heard, &c. he was troubled Or, alarmed, as Dr. Waterland renders εταραχθη . The word properly signifies a great emotion of mind, whatever the cause thereof be. Being a prince of a very suspicious temper, and his cruelties having rendered him obnoxious to his subjects, he feared losing his kingdom, especially as he had taken Jerusalem by force, and was settled on his throne by the aid of the Romans. Hence it is no wonder that he was concerned to hear of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:4

Matthew 2:4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests This expression must be intended to comprehend not only the high priest for the time being, and his deputy, with those who had formerly borne that office, but also the heads of the twenty-four courses, as well as any other persons of peculiar eminence in the priesthood, in which sense Josephus uses the word, Antiq. lib. 20. cap. 8. (Revelation 6:0,) § 8, p. 973. The scribes of the people It would seem, from Ezra 7:11-12; 1... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:6

Matthew 2:6. Thou Bethlehem, &c., art not the least among the princes of Juda It is justly observed by Dr. Doddridge, after Erasmus, here, that “when this and several other quotations from the Old Testament, which we find in the New, come to be compared with the original, and even with the Septuagint, it plainly appears that the apostles did not always think it necessary to transcribe the passages they cited, but sometimes contented themselves with giving the general sense in some... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:7

Matthew 2:7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, &c. He thought it prudent to keep the matter as close as possible, lest the Jews, understanding the time of the birth of the Messiah, should, from thence, take occasion to rebel: for not having an hereditary right to the kingdom, and having been guilty of many acts of cruelty among them, he had no reason to presume upon their good-will toward him. He feared, likewise, lest, if it should be noised abroad that the Messiah... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:8

Matthew 2:8 . When ye have found him, bring me word again Viz., concerning the young child, his condition, and that of his parents, and all circumstances. It seems probable that Herod did not believe he was born, otherwise it is amazing that so suspicious and artful a prince as he was should put this important affair on so precarious a footing. How easily might he, if he had not himself accompanied these learned strangers, under pretence of doing honour to them, have sent a guard of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:9

Matthew 2:9. When they had heard the king, they departed Viz., from Jerusalem, without the least suspicion, it seems, of his treacherous and cruel designs. As these sages came from a distant country into Judea upon such an important discovery, and Bethlehem was so near, it is matter of wonder that none of the Jews attended them on their journey. But it is probable they were afraid of Herod. Or, perhaps, the dismission of the wise men might be kept a secret in Jerusalem; so that if any of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:10-11

Matthew 2:10-11. When they saw the star Thus standing over where the child was, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy The original expression, εχαρησαν χαραν μεγαλην σφοδρα , is remarkably emphatical, and might be rendered, They joyed a great joy, very much, a translation which, though very bad English, as Dr. Doddridge observes, comes near to a literal version. They thus rejoiced because they were now confirmed in the certainty of the child’s being born, and also because they saw... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:12

Matthew 2:12. And being warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod Which, it is probable, in the simplicity of their hearts, they were preparing to do, they departed into their own country another way Not at all solicitous as to the consequences of Herod’s resentment. Thus did the providence of God watch over these devout Gentiles, as well as over Jesus and his parents, and would not suffer their honest simplicity to be abused, and made a prey of by the crafty designs... read more

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