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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 2:1-8

It was a mark of humiliation put upon the Lord Jesus that, though he was the Desire of all nations, yet his coming into the world was little observed and taken notice of, his birth was obscure and unregarded: herein he emptied himself, and made himself of no reputation. If the Son of God must be brought into the world, one might justly expect that he should be received with all the ceremony possible, that crowns and sceptres should immediately have been laid at his feet, and that the high and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 2:3-9

2:3-9 When Herod the king heard or this he was disturbed, and so was all Jerusalem with him. So he collected all the chief priests and scribes of the people, and asked them where the Anointed One of God was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem in Judaea. For so it stands written through the prophets, 'And you Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah. For there shall come forth from you the leader, who will be a shepherd to my people Israel.'"... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:3

When Herod the king had heard these things ,.... That is, the report made by the wise men of the appearance of an unusual star, and of the birth of the king of the Jews, which they affirmed with all certainty, without any hesitation, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him . Herod was troubled, his mind was disturbed and made uneasy, fearing he should be deposed, and lose his kingdom, to which he knew he had no just right and claim, being a foreigner; and "all Jerusalem", i.e. all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:4

And when he had gathered all the chief priests ,.... Here we have an account of Herod's conduct at this juncture; he calls a council, assembles the sanhedrim, gathers together the more learned persons in the city to consult with them upon this matter, the chief priests , all of which he gathered together, and which seem to be many; and were not only the then present high priest and his substitutes, but all the principal persons of the priesthood, who were chosen from the rest, into the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:3

When Herod - heard these things, he was troubled - Herod's consternation was probably occasioned by the agreement of the account of the magi, with an opinion predominant throughout the east, and particularly in Judea, that some great personage would soon make his appearance, for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies; and would take upon himself universal empire. Suetonius and Tacitus, two Roman historians, mention this. Their words are very remarkable: - Percrebuerat Oriente... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:4

The chief priests - Not only the high priest for the time being, called הראש כהן cohen ha - rosh , 2 Kings 25:18 , and his deputy, called משנה כהן cohen mishneh , with those who had formerly borne the high priest's office; but also, the chiefs or heads of the twenty four sacerdotal families, which David distributed into so many courses, 1 Chronicles 24. These latter are styled הכהנים סרי sarey ha - cohanim , chief of the priests, 2 Chronicles 36:14 ; Ezra 8:24 ; and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:3

Verse 3 3.Herod the king was troubled Herod was not unacquainted with the predictions, which promised to the Jews a King, who would restore their distressful and ruinous affairs to a prosperous condition. He had lived from a child among that nation, and was thoroughly acquainted with their affairs. Besides, the report was spread everywhere, and could not be unknown to the neighboring nations. Yet he is troubled, as if the matter had been new and unheard of; because he put no trust in God, and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:4

Verse 4 4.Having assembled the priests Though deep silence prevailed respecting Christ in the Hall of Herod, yet, as soon as the Magi have thrown out the mention of a King, predictions are remembered, which formerly lay in oblivion. Herod instantly conjectures, that the King, about whom the Magi inquire, is the Messiah whom God had formerly promised, (Daniel 9:25.) Here again it appears, that Herod is seriously alarmed, when he puts such earnest inquiries; and no wonder. All tyrants are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:1-10

The star. Luke mentions the occurrence of a grand celestial illumination celebrating the nativity of Jesus, which was witnessed by Jewish shepherds, Matthew here records another heavenly sign, discerned by Gentile scientists. Such phenomena—severally seen by Jew and Gentile, by peasants and by scholars, by persons in humble station and by those of wealth and standing—authenticated this, viz. that the great event so celebrated concerns all sorts and conditions of men. We have here especially... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:1-12

Born at Bethlehem , according to prophecy , he receives there the homage of representatives of the , heathen world. read more

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