Matthew 2
BSB1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." 3 When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’ “ 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him." 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route. 13 When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him." 14 So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son." 16 When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." 19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead." 21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he learned that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene."
Study Notes — Matthew 2
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Matthew 2
- Themes from Matthew 2
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Matthew 2
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Matthew chapter 2 begins with the visit of the Magi, or wise men, who come to worship Jesus, born King of the Jews. They are directed to Jesus by a star and find Him in Bethlehem, where they worship Him and give Him gifts. Meanwhile, King Herod, feeling threatened by the birth of a new king, seeks to kill Jesus, prompting Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt for safety. After Herod's death, the family returns to Nazareth, fulfilling another prophecy. The chapter highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, including the prophecy of the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem and the escape to Egypt. Key verses such as Matthew 2:5-6, which references Micah 5:2, and Matthew 2:15, which references Hosea 11:1, demonstrate the careful fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' life.
Context for the Chapter
Matthew chapter 2 is part of the larger narrative of Jesus' life and ministry, as presented in the Gospel of Matthew. The chapter follows the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25) and precedes the ministry of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-12). In the larger biblical narrative, the chapter is significant because it highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and demonstrates the divine nature and mission of Jesus. The events in this chapter also set the stage for the rest of Jesus' ministry, including His teachings, miracles, and ultimately, His death and resurrection.
Heart Application
As we reflect on Matthew chapter 2, we are reminded of God's sovereignty and care in guiding human events to achieve His purposes. We are also encouraged to trust in God's protection and provision, even in the midst of challenging circumstances. By following the example of the Magi, who worshiped Jesus and gave Him gifts, we can cultivate a heart of worship and devotion to our Lord.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Matthew chapter 2 tells us about the visit of the Magi to Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem. The Magi followed a star to find Jesus and worshiped Him, giving Him gifts. Meanwhile, King Herod tried to kill Jesus, but God protected Him by leading His family to Egypt. This chapter shows us that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and that He is the Savior of the world. As we read this chapter, we can learn to trust in God's protection and provision, and to worship Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Voices from the Church
“The star which the Magi saw was a divine revelation, a special manifestation of God's glory, intended to lead them to the Savior.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The Magi, though they were Gentiles, were led by the Spirit of God to acknowledge and worship the King of the Jews, and thus to confess that He was the Savior of the world.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12) — The Magi follow a star to find Jesus, who is born in Bethlehem. They worship Him and give Him gifts, demonstrating their recognition of His divinity and mission.
- The Flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15) — Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath, fulfilling the prophecy of Hosea 11:1. This event highlights God's protection and care for His people.
- The Return to Nazareth (Matthew 2:16-23) — After Herod's death, Joseph takes Mary and Jesus back to Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy that Jesus would be a Nazarene. This event demonstrates God's sovereignty and care in guiding human events to achieve His purposes.
- The Fulfillment of Prophecy (Matthew 2:5-6, 15, 17-18) — Matthew highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the life of Jesus, demonstrating His divine nature and mission. These prophecies include the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem and the escape to Egypt.
- The Significance of the Star (Matthew 2:2, 9-10) — The star that guides the Magi to Jesus symbolizes God's guidance and direction in the lives of those who seek Him. It also represents the universal scope of Jesus' mission, as the Magi come from the Gentile nations to worship Him.
Core Doctrines
- The Divinity of Christ
- Matthew chapter 2 presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, demonstrating His divine nature and mission. The worship of the Magi and the fulfillment of prophecy highlight Jesus' divinity and His role as the Savior of the world.
- The Sovereignty of God
- The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty and care in guiding human events to achieve His purposes. The fulfillment of prophecy and the protection of Jesus and His family demonstrate God's control over all things.
- The Importance of Faith
- The Magi's faith and worship of Jesus demonstrate the importance of trusting in God's revelation and worshiping Him. The chapter encourages readers to cultivate a heart of faith and devotion to Jesus.
- The Universal Scope of the Gospel
- The visit of the Magi, who come from the Gentile nations, highlights the universal scope of Jesus' mission. The chapter demonstrates that Jesus is the Savior of the world, and that all nations are called to worship Him.
Lessons from Matthew 2
- The Importance of Worship — The Magi's worship of Jesus demonstrates the importance of recognizing and honoring God's revelation. We can learn to cultivate a heart of worship and devotion to Jesus by following their example.
- The Value of Faith — The Magi's faith and trust in God's revelation lead them to Jesus. We can learn to trust in God's sovereignty and provision by following their example.
- The Danger of Pride and Ambition — Herod's pride and ambition lead him to seek to kill Jesus. We can learn to recognize the dangers of pride and ambition, and to humble ourselves before God.
- The Significance of Prophecy — The fulfillment of prophecy in Matthew chapter 2 demonstrates the importance of trusting in God's revelation. We can learn to recognize the significance of prophecy in our lives and to trust in God's sovereignty.
- The Universality of the Gospel — The visit of the Magi highlights the universal scope of Jesus' mission. We can learn to recognize that Jesus is the Savior of the world, and that all nations are called to worship Him.
Themes from Matthew 2
- The Fulfillment of Prophecy — Matthew chapter 2 emphasizes the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the life of Jesus, demonstrating His divine nature and mission.
- The Universality of the Gospel — The visit of the Magi highlights the universal scope of Jesus' mission, demonstrating that He is the Savior of the world.
- The Sovereignty of God — The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty and care in guiding human events to achieve His purposes, including the fulfillment of prophecy and the protection of Jesus and His family.
- The Importance of Faith — The Magi's faith and trust in God's revelation lead them to Jesus, demonstrating the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and provision.
- The Danger of Pride and Ambition — Herod's pride and ambition lead him to seek to kill Jesus, demonstrating the dangers of pride and ambition, and the importance of humility before God.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the visit of the Magi teach us about the universal scope of Jesus' mission?
- How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Matthew chapter 2 demonstrate the divine nature and mission of Jesus?
- What does the contrast between Herod and the Magi reveal about the spiritual battle between good and evil?
- How does the theme of protection and care in Matthew chapter 2 encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty and provision?
- What does the star that guides the Magi to Jesus symbolize in terms of God's guidance and direction in our lives?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12)
| Matthew 2:1 | The Magi come to Jerusalem, seeking the King of the Jews, and are directed to Bethlehem by the chief priests and scribes. |
| Matthew 2:2 | The Magi follow a star to find Jesus, demonstrating their recognition of His divinity and mission. |
| Matthew 2:3 | King Herod is disturbed by the news of the Magi's visit, and seeks to kill Jesus, demonstrating his pride and ambition. |
| Matthew 2:4 | Herod gathers the chief priests and scribes to determine the birthplace of the Messiah, and they tell him it is Bethlehem. |
| Matthew 2:5 | The chief priests and scribes reference Micah 5:2, which prophesies the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem. |
| Matthew 2:6 | The Magi worship Jesus and give Him gifts, demonstrating their recognition of His divinity and mission. |
| Matthew 2:7 | Herod tries to trick the Magi into revealing the location of Jesus, but they are warned in a dream not to return to him. |
| Matthew 2:8 | The Magi depart, and the star appears again, guiding them to Jesus. |
| Matthew 2:9 | The Magi find Jesus and worship Him, giving Him gifts. |
| Matthew 2:10 | The Magi are overjoyed, demonstrating their recognition of Jesus' divinity and mission. |
| Matthew 2:11 | The Magi give Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolizing their worship and recognition of His divinity. |
| Matthew 2:12 | The Magi are warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they depart for their country by another route. |
2. The Flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
| Matthew 2:13 | An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, warning him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath. |
| Matthew 2:14 | Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt, fulfilling the prophecy of Hosea 11:1. |
| Matthew 2:15 | The family remains in Egypt until Herod's death, demonstrating God's protection and care for them. |
3. The Return to Nazareth (Matthew 2:16-23)
| Matthew 2:16 | Herod orders the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem, demonstrating his pride and ambition. |
| Matthew 2:17 | The prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15 is fulfilled, as the mothers of the slain boys lament their loss. |
| Matthew 2:18 | The prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15 is referenced, highlighting the significance of the event. |
| Matthew 2:19 | An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, warning him to take Mary and Jesus back to Israel. |
| Matthew 2:20 | Joseph takes Mary and Jesus back to Israel, but is warned in a dream not to go to Judea, where Herod's son Archelaus is ruling. |
| Matthew 2:21 | Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy that Jesus would be a Nazarene. |
| Matthew 2:22 | The family settles in Nazareth, demonstrating God's sovereignty and care in guiding human events to achieve His purposes. |
| Matthew 2:23 | The prophecy that Jesus would be a Nazarene is fulfilled, highlighting the significance of the event. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the star that guides the Magi to Jesus?
The star symbolizes God's guidance and direction in the lives of those who seek Him, and represents the universal scope of Jesus' mission. (Matthew 2:2, 9-10)
Why does Herod try to kill Jesus?
Herod tries to kill Jesus because he feels threatened by the birth of a new king, and seeks to maintain his own power and control. (Matthew 2:13, 16)
What is the significance of the flight to Egypt?
The flight to Egypt fulfills the prophecy of Hosea 11:1, and demonstrates God's protection and care for Jesus and His family. (Matthew 2:14-15)
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 2:5-6 → Micah 5:2 | The prophecy of Micah 5:2 is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, demonstrating His divine nature and mission. |
| 2 | Matthew 2:15 → Hosea 11:1 | The flight to Egypt fulfills the prophecy of Hosea 11:1, demonstrating God's protection and care for Jesus and His family. |
| 3 | Matthew 2:17-18 → Jeremiah 31:15 | The prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15 is fulfilled in the massacre of the boys in Bethlehem, highlighting the significance of the event. |
| 4 | Matthew 2:23 → Judges 13:5 | The prophecy that Jesus would be a Nazarene is fulfilled, highlighting the significance of the event and demonstrating God's sovereignty and care in guiding human events to achieve His purposes. |
| 5 | Matthew 2:1-12 → Isaiah 60:3 | The visit of the Magi fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 60:3, which speaks of the nations coming to worship the Lord. |
| 6 | Matthew 2:13-15 → Exodus 4:22-23 | The flight to Egypt fulfills the pattern of the Exodus, where God protects and cares for His people. |
| 7 | Matthew 2:16-18 → Psalm 78:1-4 | The massacre of the boys in Bethlehem is reminiscent of the psalmist's lamentation of the suffering of God's people, highlighting the significance of the event. |
| 8 | Matthew 2:1-12 → Luke 2:8-20 | The visit of the Magi is paralleled in Luke 2:8-20, where the shepherds visit Jesus and worship Him, demonstrating the universal scope of Jesus' mission. |
| 9 | Matthew 2:13-15 → Hebrews 11:23 | The flight to Egypt is referenced in Hebrews 11:23, where it is seen as an example of faith and trust in God's sovereignty and provision. |
| 10 | Matthew 2:23 → John 1:46 | The prophecy that Jesus would be a Nazarene is referenced in John 1:46, where Nathanael is skeptical of Jesus' origins, highlighting the significance of the event. |
Sermons on Matthew 2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Bad Family Tree by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the reason why Jesus had to come. He highlights the guilt and shame that sin brings and uses the story of Tamar |
|
|
Matthew Ch2 by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, Pastor Symbola shares a personal experience he had with a couple who came to him seeking help. Despite feeling physically and emotionally drained, Pastor Symbola re |
|
(Genesis) Genesis 37:13-19 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher draws a comparison between the biblical story of Joseph and the Lord Jesus. He highlights the miraculous births of both Joseph and Jesus, as well as th |
|
Freedom Cd - Track 1 (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the speaker, Tyrone, shares his personal testimony of how he was once an atheist and then became involved in drugs and prostitution. However, he had a life-changing |
|
Birthing the Authentic by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of waiting for the consolation of Israel, as demonstrated by Simeon and Anna. The consolation referred to is the authentic gif |
|
Flee the Lusts of the Flesh - Escape for Your Life by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living a righteous and pure life. He encourages listeners to flee from bad talk, foul mouthing, and stealing, and instead, |
|
God's Four Warnings by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher highlights four significant moments in the Bible where God looked and warned humanity. The first moment is when God created the lights in the heavens t |
|
|
(Exodus) Exodus 26:15-37 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the veils in the tabernacle. The inner veil, made of blue, purple, and scarlet, represents the humanity of Christ and is h |
|
The Cost of Worship by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the humility and simplicity of Jesus Christ. He compares Jesus to the apostle Paul, who often said "finally" but continued to write more cha |
|
A Seeking Heart by Joshua Daniel | This sermon by Joshua Daniel emphasizes the importance of having a seeking heart, drawing parallels from the Christmas story where various characters sought Jesus. It highlights th |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Matthew 2
In Matthew chapter 2, we see the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the life of Jesus, demonstrating His divine nature and mission. The visit of the Magi, the flight to Egypt, and the return to Nazareth all highlight God's sovereignty and care in guiding human events to achieve His purposes. We are encouraged to trust in God's protection and provision, and to worship Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The wise men came to worship Jesus, and to give Him gifts, and to acknowledge Him as their King; and we are called to do the same, to worship Him, and to give Him our hearts, and to acknowledge Him as our Lord and Savior.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Fulfillment of Prophecy
Throughout the chapter, Matthew carefully notes the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, demonstrating the divine nature and mission of Jesus. This highlights God's sovereignty and care in guiding human events to achieve His purposes.
The Contrast between Herod and the Magi
The chapter presents a stark contrast between the evil intentions of Herod and the worshipful intentions of the Magi. This contrast highlights the spiritual battle between good and evil, and the ultimate triumph of God's plan.
The Theme of Protection and Care
The chapter emphasizes God's protection and care for Jesus and His family, as they escape to Egypt and ultimately return to Nazareth. This theme is significant because it demonstrates God's love and provision for those who trust in Him.