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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 2:13-15

We have here Christ's flight into Egypt to avoid the cruelty of Herod, and this was the effect of the wise men's enquiry after him; for, before that, the obscurity he lay in was his protection. It was but little respect (compared with what should have been) that was paid to Christ in his infancy: yet even that, instead of honouring him among his people, did but expose him. Now here observe, 1. The command given to Joseph concerning it, Matt. 2:13. Joseph knew neither the danger the child was... read more

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

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 2:13-15

2:13-15 When they had gone away, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph. "Rise," he said, "and take the little child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the little child, in order to kill him." So he arose and took the little child and his mother by night and went away into Egypt, and he remained there until the death of Herod. This happened that the word spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:15

And was there until the death of Herod ,.... Which was in a very short time; for Eusebius F9 Hist. Eccl. l. 1. c. 8. p. 25, 26. says, that immediately, in a very little time after the slaughter of the children at Bethlehem, the divine vengeance inflicted diseases on him, which quickly brought him to his end; so that, according to the learned Dr. Lightfoot F11 Harmony of the New Testament, p. 6. , Jesus was not above three or four months in Egypt. Now all this was brought about, ... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:15

Out of Egypt have I called my son - This is quoted from Hosea 11:1 , where the deliverance of Israel, and that only, is referred to. But as that deliverance was extraordinary, it is very likely that it had passed into a proverb, so that "Out of Egypt have I called my son," might have been used to express any signal deliverance. I confess, I can see no other reference it can have to the case in hand, unless we suppose, which is possible, that God might have referred to this future bringing... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:15

Verse 15 15.Out of Egypt have I called my Son Matthew says that a prediction was fulfilled. Some have thought, that the intention of the prophet was different from what is here stated, and have supposed the meaning to be, that the Jews act foolishly in opposing and endeavoring to oppress the Son of God, because the Father hath called him out of Egypt In this way, they grievously pervert the words of the prophet, (Hosea 11:1,) the design of which is, to establish a charge of ingratitude against... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:16

Verse 16 16.Then Herod when he saw Matthew speaks according to what Herod felt and thought about the matter. He believed that the Magi had deceived him, because they did not choose to take part in his wicked cruelty. He was rather taken in his own trickery, — in his base pretense, that he too intended to pay homage to the new King. Josephus makes no mention of this history. The only writer who mentions it is Macrobius, in the Second Book of his Saturnalia, where, relating the jokes and taunts... read more

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