Matthew 2:4 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:1-23

Of these naturally the first is the most important, and it may indeed be that the chief object of the evangelist was to show that Jesus satisfied the conditions of prophecy with respect to his birth. He was only driven from Bethlehem to Egypt and subsequently to Nazareth by the jealousy of the ruler of the Jews. While, however, the fulfilment of prophecy by Jesus the Christ was doubtless the most prominent thought in the evangelist's mind, the typical character of the treatment received... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:1-23

Childhood of Jesus. I. HEROD AND JESUS . The king and the Babe; earthly might and spiritual power. This contrast comes continually in view throughout the life of Christ, but never more strikingly than here. Depict the apparent helplessness of the young Child when confronted with the relentless and crafty hostility of Herod. The restless, suspicious jealousy of the old king, and the guileless, unconscious innocence of the Child. The selfish cruelty of the despot, and his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:4

The chief priests - By the chief priests here are meant not only the high priest and his deputy, but. also the heads or chiefs of the 24 classes into which David had divided the sacerdotal families, 1 Chronicles 23:6; 1 Chronicles 24:0; 2 Chronicles 8:14; Ezra 8:24.Scribes - By the scribes, in the New Testament, are meant learned men; men skilled in the law, or the lawyers of the nation. They kept the records of the Courts of justice, the registers of the synagogues, wrote articles of contract... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:4

Matthew 2:4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests This expression must be intended to comprehend not only the high priest for the time being, and his deputy, with those who had formerly borne that office, but also the heads of the twenty-four courses, as well as any other persons of peculiar eminence in the priesthood, in which sense Josephus uses the word, Antiq. lib. 20. cap. 8. (Revelation 6:0,) § 8, p. 973. The scribes of the people It would seem, from Ezra 7:11-12; 1... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:1-18

11. Herod and the Magi (Matthew 2:1-18)It seems that after the ceremonies in Jerusalem, Joseph and Mary returned with Jesus to Bethlehem. Because most of the travellers had now gone, they were able to move into the house (see Matthew 2:11). Meanwhile, in a country to the east, men known as Magi (people who study the stars) had worked out that a new king was born in Judea and they came to Jerusalem looking for him (Matthew 2:1-2).Herod the Great was ruler of Judea at the time, and he had no... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 2:4

chief priests, &c.: i.e. the high priest and other priests who were members of the Sanhedrin, or National Council. scribes of the People = the Sopherim, denoting the learned men of the People; learned in the Scriptures, and elders of the Sanhedrin. This incident shows that intellectual knowledge of the Scriptures without experimental delight in them is useless. Here it was used by Herod to compass Christ's death (compare Luke 22:66 ). The scribes had no desire toward the person of the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 2:4

And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.There is a terribly grim humor about this inquiry of Herod. He was doubtless most thoroughly hated; and there must have been countless speculations concerning the coming of the Messiah; but when he convened the most learned people of the day and demanded to know where Christ would be born, the bravest among them must have trembled. Under the circumstances, they wisely took... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 2:4

Matthew 2:4. And when he had gathered &c.— And having assembled. Campbell. All the chief priests, must comprehend here not only the high-priest for the time being, and his deputy, with those who formerly had borne that office; but also the heads of the twenty-four courses, as well as any other persons of peculiar eminence in the priesthood. See 1 Chronicles 24:6. 2 Chronicles 36:14. The scribes of the people, mean the rabbies or doctors, who explained the law to the people. See Michaelis's... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:4

4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together—The class of the "chief priests" included the high priest for the time being, together with all who had previously filled this office; for though the then head of the Aaronic family was the only rightful high priest, the Romans removed them at pleasure, to make way for creatures of their own. In this class probably were included also the heads of the four and twenty courses of the priests. The "scribes" were at... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:1-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:1-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 2:4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:1-18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 2:4

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 2:4

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 2:4

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:4

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