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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 2:16-18

Here is, I. Herod's resentment of the departure of the wise men. He waited long for their return; he hopes, though they be slow, they will be sure, and he shall crush this rival at his first appearing; but he hears, upon enquiry, that they are gone off another way, which increases his jealousy, and makes him suspect they are in the interest of this new King, which made him exceedingly wroth; and he is the more desperate and outrageous for his being disappointed. Note, Inveterate corruption... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 2:19-23

We have here Christ's return out of Egypt into the land of Israel again. Egypt may serve to sojourn in, or take shelter in, for a while, but not to abide in. Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and therefore to them he must return. Observe, I. What it was that made way for his return?the death of Herod, which happened not long after the murder of the infants; some think not above three months. Such quick work did divine vengeance make! Note, Herods must die; proud... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 2:16-18

2:16-18 The Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, and he sent and slew all the children in Bethlehem, and in all the districts near by. He slew every child of two years and under, reckoning from the time when he had made his inquiries from the wise men. Then the word which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "A voice was heard in Rama, weeping and much lamenting, Rachel weeping for her children, and she refused to be comforted, for they were no more." We... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 2:19-23

2:19-23 When Herod died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. "Rise," he said, "and take the little child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For those who seek the little child's life are dead." So he rose and took the little child and his mother, and went into the land of Israel. When he heard that Archelaus was king in Judaea instead of Herod, his father, he was afraid to go there. So, when, he had received a message from God in a dream, he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:16

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked ,.... Herod, having waited a proper time for the return of the wise men, and they not coming, concluded he was tricked by them; though, no doubt, when they promised to return, and bring him word how things were, they seriously meant and designed a performance; but having met with a divine oracle, which ordered them another way, they thought it most advisable to obey God rather than man. Upon this, Herod was exceeding wroth ; partly at the usage... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:17-18

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken ,.... By the slaughter of the infants at Bethlehem was literally accomplished what had been predicted by Jeremy the prophet , in Jeremiah 31:15 . in Rama was there a voice heard , &c.; That this prophecy belongs not to the Babylonish captivity, but the times of the Messiah, appears from the whole context; which manifestly speaks of the miraculous conception of Christ, of the blessings of his kingdom to be enjoyed by his people, and of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:19

But when Herod was dead ,.... Who died, as before observed, a few months after this tragedy was acted; and, according to the F23 Megillah Taanith apud Van Till. de anno, &c.; Christ. Nat. p. 122. Jewish writers, on the seventh day of the month Cisleu, and which answers to the twenty fifth of our November: and was afterwards observed as a day of rejoicing by the Jews. The account which Josephus F24 De Bello Judaic. l. 1. c. 33. sect. 5. 7. & Antiq. l. 17. c. 9. , and from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:20

Saying, arise, and take the young child and his mother ,.... Joseph strictly observed and obeyed the divine command of the angel, who had ordered him to continue in Egypt, till he brought him word what he should do, and where he should go: here he was with Mary and Jesus, when the angel bid him arise, and take them with him, and go into the land of Israel. He does not bid him go to Bethlehem or Nazareth, or any particular place, but the land of Israel, where he might go even into any... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:16

Slew all the children - This cruelty of Herod seems alluded to in very decisive terms by Macrobius, who flourished toward the conclusion of the fourth Century. In his chapter De jocis Augusti in alios, et aliorum rursus in ipsum , he says, Cum audisset inter pueros, quos in Syria Herodes, rex Judeorum, intra bimatum jussit interfici, filium quoque ejus occisum, ait, Melius est Herodis Porcum esse, quam Filium . "When he heard that among those male infants about two years old, which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:18

In Rama was there a voice heard - These words, quoted from Jeremiah 31:15 , were originally spoken concerning the captivity of the ten tribes; but are here elegantly applied to the murder of the innocents at Bethlehem. As if he had said, Bethlehem at this time resembled Rama; for as Rachel might be said to weep over her children, which were slaughtered or gone into captivity; so in Bethlehem, the mothers lamented bitterly their children, because they were slain. The word θρηνος ,... read more

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