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Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Matthew 2:4

Matthew 2:4Priests and scribes. Near in privilege, far from pietySome that are best acquainted with the gospel are practical strangers to it. They are like one who should pore over a map, mastering its geography; marking each sea, lake, river; understanding the position of every range of mountains; learning the names of all the localities indicated, but never visiting them. A living author, describing his journey to the falls of Niagara, says: “I met with a gentleman who told me that he had... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Matthew 2:4

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. Ver. 4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests ] The true picture of Popish councils, who propound grave questions as this was, Where Christ should be born? and pretend to worship Christ, but intend to worry him: the Council of Trent was carried, against the simplicity of Christ, with such infinite guile and craft, as that themselves will even smile in... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Matthew 2:4

the chief: Matthew 21:15, Matthew 21:23, Matthew 26:3, Matthew 26:47, Matthew 27:1, 1 Chronicles 24:4-Psalms :, 2 Chronicles 36:14, Ezra 10:5, Nehemiah 12:7, Psalms 2:2, John 7:32, John 18:3 scribes: Matthew 7:29, Matthew 13:52, 2 Chronicles 34:13, 2 Chronicles 34:15, Ezra 7:6, Ezra 7:11, Ezra 7:12, Jeremiah 8:8, Mark 8:31, Luke 20:19, Luke 23:10, John 8:3, Acts 4:5, Acts 6:12, Acts 23:9 he demanded: Malachi 2:7, John 3:10 Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 6:2 - called 2 Kings 6:13 - spy where 2... read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Matthew 2:4

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.The chief priests — That is, not only the high priest and his deputy, with those who formerly had borne that office: but also the chief man in each of those twenty-four courses, into which the body of priests were divided, 1 Chronicles 24:6-19. The scribes were those whose peculiar business it was to explain the Scriptures to the people. They were the public... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:4

4. All the chief priests and scribes The deep alarm of Herod is manifested by the greatness of the convocation he calls. The chief priest was properly but one; but the title is extended to include his deputy and the heads of the twenty-four courses. Scribes The word scribe signifies a writer, and was originally used to designate one of the class in the tribe of Levi who performed the office of secretary, recorder, roll-keeper, or transcriber. Seraiah was scribe or secretary to King... read more

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