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| 1 The and Jesus being born in Bethleem of the Judea, in days of Herod the king, lo, wise-man from an east country came into Jerusalem, saying: |
When Jesus was born – For the suffering of death; the first step in the divine plan for our salvation. R1603:6
About October 1, BC 2; 33-½ years prior to his death in April AD 33. B60
Herod – Of the house of Esau, an Edomite. R4956:2
There came wise men – Magi, sages, philosophers. R1674:3
According to tradition, three in number. R3702:3, 4098:4
When we remember that Daniel was at one time a prince in Persia, it is easy to see how Daniel's prophecy respecting Messiah's birth would be handed down, and well known to the disciples of Zoroaster. R3702:3
The Nestorians say that Zoroaster was a pupil of Jeremiah. R3703:3
We are not informed whether or not these were Hebrews; but we consider it probable that they were part of the twelve tribes scattered abroad "waiting for the consolation of Israel." (Acts 26:7; Luke 2:25) R4098:3
Not only wise men, but reverential men, full of faith. R3703:3
Although heathen, not of Israel, they were good men. R3703:3
Thirty years before our Lord was anointed as the Messiah. B247
Even the Gentile world was in expectation of the coming Messiah. (Luke 3:15) R1674:3; B21; C85
Typifying the Millerite movement in 1844 AD. B247, B241; C85
Those in full harmony with God were not left in ignorance of so important an event. B21
Astrologers, rather than astronomers, affecting to read in the stars the history of nations and individuals. R3703:1
The term originally belonged to a class of priests among the Medes and Persians who constituted the king's privy council and who cultivated astrology, medicine, occult and natural science. R1674:3
From the east – Supposedly Persia. R4534:3, 3702:2, 1674:3
In the Far East, the Chinese and Japanese and other nations have cherished a very ancient tradition that God would descend to the earth in visible form to enlighten men and to redeem them from their sins. R1674:3
Today even the Mohammedans and the Brahmins of the East are waiting for Messiah and the Golden Age, seeking evidences. Contrast this with the unbelief of the prominent ministers of "Christendom." R4956:5
To Jerusalem – Apparently the star's leading discontinued when they reached Judea. R4534:3, 4098:6
The Lord may have given them additional explanation of the matter, even as he subsequently warned them in a dream. R3703:1
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| 2 Where is the new-born king of the Jews? we saw for of him the star in the rising, and are come to do homage of him. |
King of the Jews – Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Virgil, Confucius and Zoroaster all bear testimony that there prevailed throughout the entire East at this time an intense conviction, derived from the prophecies, that about this time a child from heaven would be born in Judea, gain dominion over the whole world, establish the Golden Age and take away sin. R4098:4, 3703:2
He was born King of the Jews, but that work was still future--at his second coming when he appears in glory and becomes King of Israel--on the spirit plane. R4534:6, 4956:5, 1675:1
Have seen his star – God made some astrological sign which the wise men understood and reverently followed. R4534:4
Because they had no special revelation from God, the nobler minds among the other nations gave special study to the starry heavens along the lines of astronomy or astrology. R4534:2
Thus, kindly, God condescends to human ignorance and weakness. R1675:1
It is not a rare occasion for stars to suddenly blaze up, and then suddenly fade in a year or two. Such a star was observed in 1901. We think this was different, however. R3703:2
We have the assurance that there was a truth connected with the manifestation of a special peculiar star, but we have "the more sure word of prophecy." (2 Pet. 1:9) R3703:1
Come to worship him – Showing their reverence to the mighty God of Israel, their faith in the divinely inspired prophecies, and their zeal as truth-seekers and their humility to inquire of the God of another nation. R1675:1
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| 3 Having heard and Herod the king was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him; |
Herod the king – Although called King of the Jews, Herod was the representative of their conquerors, the Romans. R4098:5
An Edomite, who had built a temple grander than Solomon's. R4956:2
He was troubled – By the suggestion that his dynasty might be overthrown. R4956:2, 4098:5
With jealousy on his own behalf, and on behalf of the Roman Empire. R3702:6
Similarly, those who are now in influence and power are troubled at the prospect of a change in government which their own wise men announce as imminent. R4966:2, 4534:3, 4099:1
Any announcement today that Messiah's Kingdom is nigh meets with resentment. R4534:3, 4956:2
And all Jerusalem – All under Herod's political influence. R4098:5
Evidently they were in a very self-satisfied condition, experiencing great prosperity, and had ceased to specially long and pray for Messiah. R4956:2
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| 4 and having called together all the chief-priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Anointed should be born. |
When he had gathered – Evidently, knowing of the Jewish tradition respecting Messiah, he sent for those who were learned in the Scriptures. R4098:5
Priests and scribes – Although they answered correctly, they showed no enthusiasm in quoting the prophecies of Messiah's birth. R4956:3
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| 5 They and said to him: In Bethleem of the Judea; thus for is written by the prophet; |
They said unto him – Showing their faith, even though it was an irreverent and selfishly jealous faith; indirect evidence of the esteem which the Hebrew Scriptures commanded. R1675:2
In Bethlehem – Only six miles distant. R3703:2
For thus it is written – Though the scribes and chief priests understood his birthplace from Micah 5:2, they could not see that, as the Judge of Israel, he would be smitten with "a rod upon the cheek." (Mic. 5:1) R436:1
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| 6 And thou Bethleem, land of Juda; by no means least art among the princes of Juda; out of thee for shall come forth a prince, who shall govern the people of me, the Israel. |
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| 7 Then Herod privately having called the wise-men, learned exactly from them the time of the appearing a star, |
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| 8 and sending them into Bethleem, he said: Passing on your way, exactly inquire about the infant; as soon as and you have found, bring word to me, that I also going pay homage to him. |
Bring me word again – Let the civil government, if it chooses, fight down everything associated with the new dispensation; the religious elements remain quite indifferent. R4956:5
That I may come – Herod's selfish faith was in strong contrast with the reverent and devotional faith of the wise men. R1675:4
Worship him also – The crafty Herod feigned reverence, but only that he might destroy the child. R4534:3,5
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| 9 They and having heard the king departed. And lo, the star, which they saw in the rising, went before them, till going it stood over where was the infant. |
They departed – None of the priests and teachers of the day followed them to Bethlehem to find the newborn king of the Jews. They had become Higher Critics and no longer believed the prophets. They had less faith in them than had Herod. R4956:3
And, lo, the star – Probably a bright, electrical, luminous spot travelling near the earth. R3703:2
Thus, even in his infancy, this light that was to lighten the Gentiles began to shine into some waiting and devout Gentile hearts. R1675:5
Near Rachel's tomb, by Bethlehem, is a cistern where tradition says the star appeared to the wise men the second time to guide them to Bethlehem and the manger. R1401:2
Till it came – Greek, elthon, it ceased to go. Its arrival was accomplished; it stood. R149:5*
Stood over – Apparently indicating the very house in which they found the newborn king. R4098:6
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| 10 Seeing and the star, they rejoiced a joy very great; |
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| 11 and being come into the house, they saw the infant with Mary the mother of it, and falling down did homage to it, and opening the treasuries of them, they offered to it gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. |
And fell down – Prostrated themselves, physically expressing their reverence. R3703:4
And worshipped him – By prostrating themselves; in their hearts and with their tongues, by giving expression to their rejoicing; and by opening their treasure boxes to him. R3703:4
The humble surroundings did not alter the reverent condition of their hearts. R4534:5, 3703:4
Unto him gifts – Let us be true wise men and present to him our treasures--all that we have and are--our hearts. R4534:6, 1604:4
Gold – Representing obedience and consecration. R4534:5, 3703:4,5
Our earthly substance. R3703:5
And frankincense – Representing praise, devotion, heart adoration, appreciation, gratitude. R4534:6, 3703:4,5
And myrrh – Representing submission, a willingness for service, to the extent of bitterness and suffering. R4534:6, 3703:4,5
Have we shown a joy to honor the King even to the extent of suffering with him? R3703:5
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| 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, by another way they withdrew into the country of them. |
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| 13 Having withdrawn but of the, lo, a messenger of a Lord appears in a dream to the Joseph, saying: Arising take the infant and the mother of it, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there, till I speak to thee; is about for Herod to seek the infant, to kill it. |
Angel of the Lord – "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." (Heb. 1:14) R1681:3
Flee into Egypt – We should be on the lookout for divine deliverance and the opening of a way of escape from things too difficult for us to endure. F508
God did not miraculously interfere with Herod's plans. The lease of power granted to the kingdoms of this world has not yet expired. R1681:6
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| 14 He then arising took the infant and the mother of it by night, and went into Egypt; |
When he arose – The faith and prompt obedience of Joseph and Mary to the warning and counsel of the angel of the Lord is notable. They did not hesitate or question, but immediately acted. R1681:3
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| 15 and he was there till the death of Herod; that might be fulfilled the word spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt I called the son of me. |
Death of Herod – Unreliably and variously dated by scholars as 4 BC, 2 AD, 7 AD; therefore not reliable evidence in establishing the date of Jesus' birth. B56, B57
By the prophet – This prophecy has three fulfillments: the deliverance of Israel in the days of Pharaoh; the return of the infant Jesus to the land of his birth; and The Christ being called out of the world (Egypt). R1681:6, 436:1; C316
Out of Egypt – Type of the world. C316
I called my Son – To the higher, divine nature. C316
Likewise his joint-heirs are called out of Egypt. "They are not of this world even as I am not of this world." (John 17:16) C316
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| 16 Then Herod seeing that he was mocked by the wise-men, was enraged much; and sending forth he slew all the boys the in Bethleem and in all the borders of her, from two years and under, according to the time which he exactly learnt from the wise-men. |
Slew all the children – Seeking to destroy Christ that thus the kingdom of Israel might be preserved to his own family--as it was through his six successors. R4534:3
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Please see diagram and note concerning this verse. |
| 17 Then was fulfilled the word spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: |
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| 18 A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and weeping and mourning great; Rachel bewailing the children of her; and not is willing to be comforted because not they are. |
Lamentation and weeping – But another note of the long wail of distress of the groaning creation which will be permitted for wise and benevolent ends until the "times of restitution." R1682:4
Rachel – Rachel was the mother of two of the tribes, Joseph and Benjamin, which tribes occupied Palestine at the time of the first advent. R436:1
They are not – Not in hell or purgatory; they have ceased to exist. CR430:2; R822:5
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| 19 Having died and of the Herod, lo, a messenger of a Lord in a dream appears to the Joseph in Egypt, saying: |
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| 20 Arising take the infant and the mother of it, and go thou into land Israel; they are dead for the seeking the life of the infant. |
Young child's life – Greek, psuche, soul, being. E335
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| 21 He and arising took the infant and the mother of it, and came into land Israel. |
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| 22 Hearing and, that Archelaus was reigning over the Judea instead of Herod the father of him, he was afraid there to go; being warned and in a dream, he withdrew into regions of the Galilee. |
Archelaus – Herod's son and successor, who even surpassed his father in oppression, cruelty, egotism and sensuality. R1681:3
He turned aside – Not disregarding the Lord's directions, which were to go into the land of Israel--in any part of which they might settle. R1681:6
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| 23 And coming he dwelt into a city named Nazareth; that might be fulfilled the words spoken through the prophets, that a Nazarene he will be called. |
Called Nazareth – A despised place, the object doubtless being to bring the truth into disrepute; as Second Adventism has brought the time features into disrepute. B29
Called a Nazarene – Although born in Bethlehem, he was reared in Nazareth, "that he might be called a Nazarene"--that he might not have the honor of the "City of David," but the odium of "a mean city." R4556:3
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Spoken by the prophets – Please see Isa. 11:1 |