Matthew 2:1-2

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 2:1-2

2:1-2 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judaea, in the days of Herod the King, behold there came to Jerusalem wise men from the East. "Where," they said, "is the newly born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in its rising and we have come to worship him." It was in Bethlehem that Jesus was born. Bethlehem was quite a little town six miles to the south of Jerusalem. In the olden days it had been called Ephrath or Ephratah. The name Bethlehem means The House of Bread, and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 2:1-2

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem there came to do him homage wise men from the East. The name given to these men is Magi, and that is a word which is difficult to translate. Herodotus (1: 101,132) has certain information about the Magi. He says that they were originally a Median tribe. The Medes were part of the Empire of the Persians. They tried to overthrow the Persians and substitute the power of the Medes. The attempt failed. From that time the Magi ceased to have any ambitions for power... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:1

Now when Jesus was born ,.... Several things are here related respecting the birth of Christ, as the place where he was born, in Bethlehem of Judea ; so called to distinguish it from another Bethlehem in the tribe of Zabulon, Joshua 19:15 . Here Christ was to be born according to a prophecy hereafter mentioned, and accordingly the Jews expected he would be born here, Matthew 2:4 and so Jesus was born here, Luke 2:4 and this the Jews themselves acknowledge; "Such a year, says a... read more

John Gill

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

Saying, where is he that is born king of the Jews? .... These words were spoken to the Jews, or rather to Herod the king, or his ministers and courtiers, or to each of them, as the wise men had the opportunity of speaking to them; who make no scruple of his being born, of this they were fully assured; nor did they in the least hesitate about his being king of the Jews, who was born; but only inquire where he was, in what city, town, village, house, or family. The reason of their asking this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:1

Bethlehem of Judea - This city is mentioned in Judges 17:7 , and must be distinguished from another of the same name in the tribe of Zebulon, Joshua 19:15 . It is likewise called Ephrath, Genesis 48:7 , or Ephratah, Micah 5:2 , and its inhabitants Ephrathites, Rth 1:2; 1 Samuel 17:12 . It is situated on the declivity of a hill, about six miles from Jerusalem. לחם בית Beth - lechem , in Hebrew, signifies the house of bread. And the name may be considered as very properly... read more

Adam Clarke

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

We have seen his star - Having discovered an unusual luminous appearance or meteor in the heavens, supposing these persons to have been Jews, and knowing the prophecies relative to the redemption of Israel, they probably considered this to be the star mentioned by Balaam, Numbers 24:17 . See the note there. In the east - Εν τη ανατολη , At its rise. Ανατολη and δυσμη are used in the New Testament for east and west. To worship him - Or, To do him homage; προσκυνησαι αυτω .... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:1

Verse 1 1.Now when Jesus had been born How it came about that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Matthew does not say. The Spirit of God, who had appointed the Evangelists to be his clerks, (177) appears purposely to have regulated their style in such a manner, that they all wrote one and the same history, with the most perfect agreement, but in different ways. It was intended, that the truth of God should more clearly and strikingly appear, when it was manifest that his witnesses did not speak by a... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 2 2.Where is he who has been born King? The notion of some commentators, that he is said to have been born King, by indirect contrast with one who has been made or created a king, appears to me too trifling. I rather suppose the Magi to have simply meant, that this king had been recently born, and was still a child, by way of distinguishing him from a king who is of age, and who holds the reins of government: for they immediately add, that they had been drawn, not by the fame of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:1

Now when Jesus ; who has just been identified with Christ. But in this chapter the narrative employs only those terms ("Jesus," "young Child") which bystanders might have used. They are purely annalistic, not interpretative. Contrast Matthew 1:18 and Herod's statement of a thee-logical problem ( Matthew 1:4 ). Was born in Bethlehem. The First Gospel, if taken alone would give the impression that Joseph had had no previous connexion with Nazareth. But about the place where Joseph and Mary... read more

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