Matthew 2
Common Theme
God sovereignly protects and guides the Messiah despite opposition from earthly powers. The unfolding events fulfill prophecy and reveal both the hostility of the world and the precision of God’s plan.
Questions
- What does Herod’s reaction to Jesus’ birth reveal about the threat the gospel poses to worldly power?
- How do we see God’s hand in the timing and movement of Joseph’s family?
God Shot
God is a vigilant protector, directing Joseph through dreams and fulfilling His Word down to the smallest detail. He is never outmaneuvered or surprised—His providence always prevails.
Deeper✝
Matthew 2
Matthew 2:1–12 narrates the arrival of the Magi in Jerusalem during King Herod’s reign, likely between 6 and 4 BC, seeking to worship the newborn "king of the Jews." The Magi, originally a priestly caste from Persia, were influenced by Jewish prophecies, particularly Balaam’s prophecy about a star and a scepter from Israel. Herod and the religious leadership of Jerusalem are disturbed by the Magi’s arrival, fearing the threat to their power. The chief priests and teachers of the law, who oversee temple activities, represent the spiritual state of Israel’s leadership, aligned with Herod.
The Magi fulfill their purpose by worshiping Jesus, offering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which hold significant value and symbolism. They are warned in a dream to avoid Herod, suggesting divine guidance. The text emphasizes the importance of sacrificial love, as demonstrated by the Magi’s gifts, and calls for a personal response to Jesus, highlighting God’s love through Christ’s sacrifice. Matthew contrasts the Magi’s recognition of Jesus as king with the Jewish leadership’s duplicity, urging a commitment to Jesus that reflects his sacrificial love, as exemplified in the teachings of the apostle Paul.
Matthew 2:13–23 narrates the escape of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to Egypt to evade King Herod’s murderous plot against the infant Jesus. An angel warns Joseph in a dream, prompting their immediate flight. This event fulfills Old Testament prophecies, illustrating how Jesus embodies various aspects of Scripture, including predictive prophecy, deeper meanings, and analogical correspondences to Israel’s history. The massacre of Bethlehem’s boys, ordered by Herod, is noted as a tragic but historically unrecorded event, paralleling past attempts to annihilate God’s people, while also heralding the arrival of comfort for the exiled Jews.
After Herod’s death, Joseph is instructed to return to Israel, but upon learning that Herod’s son Archelaus rules Judea, he diverts to Nazareth in Galilee. This town, associated with the messianic "Branch" from Isaiah, symbolizes Jesus’s humble beginnings. The term "Nazarene" carries dual meanings: a title of honor for Jesus as the messianic deliverer and a term of scorn used by his adversaries.
The text emphasizes the significance of the name "Christian," paralleling it with "Nazarene" as both an honor and a source of persecution. It highlights Joseph’s role as a devoted father, showcasing the importance of recognizing children as gifts from God. The narrative encourages parents to dedicate their children back to their true Father, reflecting Joseph’s obedience and love.
✝Deeper summary excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.