Matthew 2

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:4

And when he had gathered … together ( καὶ συναγαγών ). The Revised Version, and gathering together , suggests that there was no delay. All the chief priests and scribes of the people ( πάντας τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ ). In the absence of the article before γραμματεῖς we must take the words, "of the people," as belonging to both terms. The addition helped to bring out the evangelist's thought that the representatives of the chosen people ( 1 Peter 2:10 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:5

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet . For" by" the Revised Version margin has "through" ( Matthew 1:22 , not,.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:5-6

The honour of a city. "Out of thee shall come a Governor." It is not its architecture, or its situation, or its history, or its polity, or its wealth. It is its men. A city is ennobled by the heroes, the poets, the race-leaders, who are born in it. This leads some seven distinct cities to lay claim to be the birthplace of Homer. One of the later psalmists gives expression to this truth, when he says," Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God Of Zion it shall be said, This man and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:6

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Jude, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel; and thou Bethlehem , land of Judah , art in no wise least among the princes of Judah : For out of thee shall come forth a governor , which shall be shepherd of my people Israel (Revised Version). In this quotation from Micah 5:2 notice the following Variations from the Hebrew, and practically from the LXX .: ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:7

Then Herod, when he had privily called the Wise Men . Secrecy was doubly necessary. He would not publicly commit himself to acknowledging the rights of the new King, and he would give no opportunity for others to warn the Child's parents of the dangerous interest that Herod was taking in him. Duplicity was very characteristic of Herod; cf. his assassination of Aristobulus the high priest (Josephus, 'Ant.,' 15.3. 3), and his alluring his son Antipater home to death (ibid., 17.5. 1). Inquired... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:8

And he sent them to Bethlehem . Thus answering their question ( Matthew 2:2 ). And said, Go and search diligently for the young Child; and search out carefully concerning , Revised Version; ἐξετάσατε ἀκριβῶς περί . Herod bade them make precise inquiry as to all particulars about the Child. The more details he could obtain, the more easily he could make away with him. And when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also; the Revised Version... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:8

Man's guile and God's omniscience. Herod's fears we can well understand. He was a usurper, a foreigner, and, indeed, belonged to the Idumaean race, which was specially hated. The one thing he had to fear was the birth of a native prince, round whom the hopes of the nation might gather. He was so continually full of fears that his life was a misery to himself and every one who had to do with him. He had learned to be prompt, vigorous, and unscrupulous whenever he felt in the least alarmed,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:9

When they had heard the king . There is a slight contrast in the Greek, but they [ for their part ] having heard the King. They departed ; went their way (Revised Version). Took their journey ( ἐπορεύθησαν ) And lo, the star, which they saw in the East . They would, in accordance with Eastern custom, probably travel by night. Observe that the joy they felt at seeing the star ( Matthew 2:10 ) implies that it had not continued visible ( Matthew 2:7 , note). They had fully... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:10

When ( and when , Revised Version) they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy; "they were marvelously glad" (Tyndale). Its reappearance was the pledge of the full answer to their search, the full reward of their toilsome journey. Contrast the indifference of the chosen people. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:11

And when they were come into the house . For after the enrolment the caravanserai would not be so crowded ( Luke 2:7 ). But whether it was now the caravanserai or a private house, we have no evidence to show. They saw ( εἶδον , with the uncials and most of the versions). The translators in this case followed the text of the Complutensian and of Colinaeus' edition, rejecting the false εὗρον of the Vulgate and the Received Text . The young Child with Mary his mother, and fell... read more

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