Mateus 2
Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 2
Henry - Verses 16-18. Herod killed all the male children, not only in Bethlehem, but in all the villages of that city. Unbridled wrath, armed with an unlawful power, often carries men to absurd cruelties. It was no unrighteous thing with God to permit this; every life is forfeited to his justice as soon as it begins. The diseases and deaths of little children are proofs of original sin. But the murder of these infants was their martyrdom. How early did persecution against Christ and his kingdom begin! Herod now thought that he had baffled the Old Testament prophecies, and the efforts of the wise men in finding Christ; but whatever crafty, cruel devices are in men's hearts, the counsel of the Lord shall stand. Matthew 2:17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: NET Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: GNT τότε ἐπληρώθη τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ἰερεμίου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος, NLT Herod's brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: KJV Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, ESV Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: NIV Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: Herod's Massacre of the Innocents Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled - Note the phrase spoken through indicating Jeremiah (and all prophets) were in essence "conduits" through whom God would speak to the world, "for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."(2 Pet 1:21+). The quotation in the next verse is taken from Jer 31:15+, which depicts the wailing at the time of Israel's exile. That calamity and Herod's new atrocity are viewed as part of the same broad picture. Was fulfilled (4137) see note above on pleroo Prophet (4396) see note above on prophetes Matthew 2:18 "A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN; AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE." NET "A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud wailing, Rachel weeping for her children, and she did not want to be comforted, because they were gone." GNT Φωνὴ ἐν Ῥαμὰ ἠκούσθη, κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὀδυρμὸς πολύς· Ῥαχὴλ κλαίουσα τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν παρακληθῆναι, ὅτι οὐκ εἰσίν. NLT "A cry was heard in Ramah-- weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead." KJV In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. ESV "A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more." NIV "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." Ramah - Jer 31:15 lamentation - Jer 4:31 9:17-21 Eze 2:10 Rev 8:13 Rachel - Ge 35:16-20 REFUSED - Ge 37:30,33-35 42:36 Job 14:10 Ryrie has an interesting note - Since Matthew was writing to those with a Jewish background, he used more quotations from the OT than the other gospel writers. There are 93 such quotations in Matthew, 49 in Mark, 80 in Luke, and 33 in John. A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING - This is the third of four fulfilled prophecies in Matthew - (1) Mt 2:6 fulfilled Micah 5:2 (2) Mt 2:15 fulfilled Hosea 11:1 (3) Mt 2:18 fulfilled Jeremiah 31:15 and (4) Mt 2:23 is said to "fulfill what was spoken through the prophets. There is however no specific prophecy or prophecies that can be definitely linked to Matthew 2:23. See discussion below on OT quotes in the NT. Not just mourning which would be bad enough but great (polus) mourning. Weeping (2805) (klauthmos from klaio = to weep or bewail) is a noun which describes a strong inner emotion which is evoked in weeping, crying, lamentation (cries of grief, the act of bewailing as an expression of sorrow). Matt. 2:18; Matt. 8:12; Matt. 13:42; Matt. 13:50; Matt. 22:13; Matt. 24:51; Matt. 25:30; Lk. 13:28; Acts 20:37 Mourning (3602) odurmos from oduromai = to lament) expresses a very intense and deep sense of sorrow, a loud and grievous expression of mourning or remorse. It can include the idea of wailing which means to utter a prolonged, inarticulate, mournful cry, usually high-pitched or clear-sounding, as in grief or suffering. Found only in Mt 2:18+, 2 Cor 7:7+ Once in the Septuagint of Jer 31:15+ "“A voice is heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping." Matthew's use indicates that this word describes audible mourning as an expression of sorrow. Thayer has this note on synonyms - dakruo (cf dakruon), klaio, oduromai (cf odurmos), threneo, alalazo (ololuzo) stenazo: strictly, dakruo denotes to shed tears, weep silently; klaio to weep audibly, to cry as a child; oduromai to give verbal expression to grief, to lament; Bp to give formal expression to grief, to sing a dirge; alalazo to wail in oriental style, to howl in a consecrated, semi-liturgical fashion; stenazo to express grief by inarticulate or semi-articulate sounds, to groan. Oduromai - Liddell-Scott - 1. c. acc. pers., Hom., Soph.; c. acc. mourned for it, i.e. for the want of it, 2. c. gen. pers. to mourn for, for the sake of, Hom. 3. c. dat. pers. to wail or lament to or before others, Id. 4. absol. to wail, mourn, Id., Eur. TDNT - oduromai a. intr. “to wail,” “to lament,” “to grieve,” “to be distressed,” esp. for outward expressions of grief, often with tears, Hom. Od., 9, 13 (ὀδυρόμενος στεναχίζω); 14, 129 (ὀδυρομένῃ βλεφάρων ἄπο δάκρυα πίπτει); 16, 144 f. (στοναχῇ τε γόῳ τε); 18, 203 (κατά θυμόν); b. trans. “to bewail,” “to bemoan,” Hom. Il., 24, 714 (δάκρυ χέοντες); Soph. Ant., 693; Muson., p. 41, 4; 43, 2 (the exile). ὀδυρμός, “wailing,” “lamentation,” “weeping,” Eur. Tro., 609; Plat. Resp. 3, 398d (with θρῆνοι); Isoc. Panegyricus, 169 (δυστυχίας ἀνδρῶν); Plut. Demetr., 47, 3 (τῆς τύχης); Philo Migr. Abr., 156. In the LXX the verb occurs only in Jer 31:18+ for נוד hithp (lit. “to shake,” shaking the head as a sign of grief), “to lament.” For the noun ὀδυρμός cf. Ἰερ. 38:15 (31:15) (with θρῆνος and κλαυθμός, Heb. בְּכִי תַמְרוּרִים, bitter weeping) for the loud (ἠκούσθη) and violent lamentation of the mother at the loss of her children; also 2 Macc. 11:6 (μετὰ ὀδυρμῶν καὶ δακρύων ἱκέτευον). The only NT examples of odurmos are in Mt. 2:18 (quoting Ἰερ. 38:15 [31:15] → supra) for loud and grievous lamentation at a most bitter loss, and 2 C. 7:7 for violent expressions of bitter remorse. Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, died in Bethlehem (Ge 35:19) and thus the grieving mothers of Bethlehem's slaughtered children are all personified in her name. Rachel was the mother of Benjamin, whose descendants were still associated with the town. Since the slaughter of the children is evidently not recorded in secular history, some have denied that it really happened. However, Bethlehem was a small village, with relatively few young children. In view of Herod's notorious cruelty (he even put one of his wives and his three oldest sons to death), this occurrence was quite in character and probably was accorded little secular notice outside the affected community. The event was prophesied in Jer 31:15, but the prophet also exhorted them to "refrain...from weeping" because the slain children are safe with the Lord and "shall come again from the land of the enemy" (Jer 31:16) Jer 31:15+ Thus says the LORD, “A voice is heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more.” Warren
Mateus 2
Henry - Mt 2:19-23. Egypt may serve to sojourn in, or take shelter in, for awhile, but not to abide in. Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, to them he must return. Did we but look upon the world as our Egypt, the place of our bondage and banishment, and heaven only as our Canaan, our home, our rest, we should as readily arise and depart thither, when we are called for, as Joseph did out of Egypt. The family must settle in Galilee. Nazareth was a place held in bad esteem, and Christ was crucified with this accusation, Jesus the Nazarene. Wherever Providence allots the bounds of our habitation, we must expect to share the reproach of Christ; yet we may glory in being called by his name, sure that if we suffer with him, we shall also be glorified with him. Matthew 2:20 "Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child's life are dead." NET saying, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." GNT λέγων, Ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ πορεύου εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ· τεθνήκασιν γὰρ οἱ ζητοῦντες τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ παιδίου. NLT "Get up!" the angel said. "Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead." KJV Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. ESV saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." NIV and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead." Get up - Mt 2:13 Pr 3:5,6 for - Ex 4:19 1Ki 11:21,40 12:1-3 ANOTHER DREAM MESSAGE This is the third communication from God to Joseph using a dream (Mt 1:20, Mt 2:12, Mt 2:19, Mt 2:22). This is another example of God's sovereign initiative and intervention in the lives of His people. These are the one's we are aware of, but given that God is in total control, there are doubtless many other sovereign acts not recorded. The one's that are recorded should always remind us that there are countless others and this is true of our lives beloved! You can count on a God Who is in control! (Even if your present circumstances seem out of control!) Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel - One fascinating factoid is that this is the only mention of the phrase the land of Israel in the entire NT! One writer has an interesting thought "This expression, used nowhere else in the NT, suggests that Jesus’ return from Egypt was like ancient Israel’s leaving Egyptian slavery to dwell in the Promised Land." Get up (egeiro) means literally to wake up which is likely the sense here as the angel had spoke to Joseph in a dream. Then the angel gives a command to take in the aorist imperative meaning "Do this now!" "Don't delay!" Go is the present imperative, a command to keep on going. It is not flee as before (Mt 2:13) but go. It is interesting that this command is almost identical (but the opposite direction) to that Jehovah gave to Moses in Ex 4:19 "“Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.” This is basically a reversal of the similar warning commands to take and flee in Mt 2:13. Take (3880)(paralambano from para = beside + lambano = appropriate, receive) means to receive from another, to receive alongside or to take to oneself (into close association) in order to carry away, here of the baby Jesus, and one day Jesus taking us away in John 14:3 "I will come again and receive (paralambano) you to Myself." (The Rapture!) Child (3813)see paidion diminutive of pais = child) is a little child For those who sought the Child's life are dead - Note those is plural, so while Herod was the primary perpetrator of the assassination, it implies that there were others who were at least sympathetic accomplices! Think of the Jewish religious leadership whose power base would be totally disrupted if this one really were King of the Jews. While we cannot be definitive as to His age, clearly Jesus is no longer an infant and is probably between 2-4 years old, give that Herod died in 6 BC. Sought (2212)(zeteo) implies giving attention and priority to and deliberately pursuing after. NIV has "those who were trying" reflecting the present tense of zeteo indicating this was a continuous effort to destroy the Christ Child. This was a persistent effort! Death snuffed out Herod's efforts to put Jesus to death. Matthew 2:21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. NET So he got up and took the child and his mother and returned to the land of Israel. GNT ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβεν τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ. NLT So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. KJV And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. ESV And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. NIV So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. Ge 6:22 Heb 11:8 The Return from Egypt by James Tissot FROM EGYPT TO ISRAEL So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel - Again note Joseph's unquestioning obedience. He is a man with a willing, submissive spirit. And the first area the family would have come to was Judea, which was ruled by Archelaus.
Mateus 2
Henry applies the text - What joy these wise men felt upon this sight of the star, none know so well as those who, after a long and melancholy night of temptation and desertion, under the power of a spirit of bondage, at length receive the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with their spirits that they are the children of God. We may well think what a disappointment it was to them, when they found a cottage was his palace, and his own poor mother the only attendant he had. However, these wise men did not think themselves baffled; but having found the King they sought, they presented their gifts to him. The humble inquirer after Christ will not be stumbled at finding him and his disciples in obscure cottages, after having in vain sought them in palaces and populous cities. Is a soul busy, seeking after Christ? Would it worship him, and does it say, Alas! I am a foolish and poor creature, and have nothing to offer? Nothing! Hast thou not a heart, though unworthy of him, dark, hard, and foul? Give it to him as it is, and be willing that he use and dispose of it as it pleases him; he will take it, and will make it better, and thou shalt never repent having given it to him. He shall frame it to his own likeness, and will give thee himself, and be thine for ever. The gifts the wise men presented were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Providence sent these as a seasonable relief to Joseph and Mary in their present poor condition. Thus our heavenly Father, who knows what his children need, uses some as stewards to supply the wants of others, and can provide for them, even from the ends of the earth. Thos. Champness - We who look for Jesus ought to be joyful; it is no credit to our Lord when we look as though we were seeking His grave. The dull looks of Christ’s followers have injured Him in the sight of the world. Let us, then, smile as we go, for we have the star if we will look up and put ourselves in the right path. Matthew 2:10 Ready for the Judgment "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."—Matt. 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced. A cause of terror to one person is a cause of joy to another. The baying of a hound on his track strikes dismay to a hunted robber in the woods. The same sound would give cheer to a lost child, when he knew it was his father's hound in search of him. It makes all the difference in the world at which end of the cannon you stand when it is being fired in battle. Its belching fire is the same in either case; but in one instance it is against your enemies, and in the other against you. There is no more terrible thought possible, to the opposer of God, than that the LORD reigneth, and that He is sure to put down all His enemies. There is no thought more comforting than this to the Christian believer. There was an under-witted but a faith-filled Scotch lad in this country, at the time of the great meteoric shower of November, 1833. When on every side men and women were that night in terror at the thought that the hour of final doom had come, this lad's mother aroused him from his sleep with a cry: "Sandy, Sandy, get up, will you? The Day of Judgment has come." Instantly the boy was alive to that call, and was on his feet, shouting, "Glory to God! I'm ready." When the loving followers of Jesus see signs of His appearance, they rejoice with exceeding great joy. Wise men today worship not only the Child of Bethlehem, but also the Man of Calvary. How wonderful that we on Christmas morn, Though centuries have passed since Christ was born, May worship still the Living Lord of men, Our Savior, Jesus, Babe of Bethlehem. —Hutchings In his portrayal of the nativity scene, Rembrandt focused attention entirely on the Babe in the manger. He did this by painting a shaft of light so that it falls exclusively on the Christ-child. Although he included other figures, they are shrouded in shadows. Rembrandt wanted nothing to detract from the significance of that baby—who was God in the flesh. He Wanted Christ to be the sole object of adoration. GOD'S HIGHEST GIFT AWAKENS MAN'S DEEPEST GRATITUDE. Matthew 2:11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. NET As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. GNT καὶ ἐλθόντες εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν εἶδον τὸ παιδίον μετὰ Μαρίας τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ πεσόντες προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ καὶ ἀνοίξαντες τοὺς θησαυροὺς αὐτῶν προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ δῶρα, χρυσὸν καὶ λίβανον καὶ σμύρναν. NLT They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. KJV And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. ESV And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. NIV On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. they saw - Lu 2:16,26-32,38 worshipped - Mt 2:2 4:9,10 14:33 Ps 2:12 95:6 Joh 5:22,23 Ac 10:25,26 Rev 19:10 Rev 22:8-10 presented - or, offered, Ge 43:11 1Sa 10:27 1Ki 10:2,10 Ps 72:10,15 Isa 60:6 frankincense - Ex 30:23,34 Lev 2:1,2 6:15 Nu 7:14,86 Ps 45:8 Mal 1:11 Rev 5:8 THE FIRST RECORDED GENTILE WORSHIPPERS The first recorded worshippers were poor Jewish shepherds and now we see rich Gentile wise men, giving us a foreshadowing of Jesus' life purpose to be the Savior of the world, both Jews and Gentiles! After coming into the house - It would seem that the overcrowded situation which existed in Bethlehem when Mary and Joseph had first arrived arrived was now dissipated. The family had now found a house to live in, instead of their initial accomodations when Mary "gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7+). As discussed below it may have been many weeks or months since His birth, even up to two years. Once again we see one of the errors of Christmas traditions because most Nativity Scenes have Shepherds (who were at His birth in a manger) and Three Kings (who visited the Infant Jesus in a house). The reaction by Herod would also tend to support this premise. Herod, after inquiring "diligently what time the star appeared" to the wise men, ordered all the young children in and around Bethlehem up to two years of age to be slain." (Mt 2:7,16). House (3614)(oikia from oikos = house) is literally one's residence, home or abode. Oikia is an inhabited edifice, building or dwelling. Oikia is used 94x in 85 verses and is always translated house (or related word like household). They saw the Child with Mary His mother: Interesting that there is no mention of Joseph at this visit (cf shepherds in Lk 2:16+) We do not know how many magi there were at this viewing of the Messiah. It is notable that Child is the noun paidion and not brephos (most often of a literal baby), the word used to describe the shepherds visit to the "baby (brephos) wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Lk 2:12+), Luke adds that the shepherds "came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby (brephos) as He lay in the manger." (Luke 2:16+). So notice the distinctive features of the two visits to Jesus - (1) the magi see the Child (paidion) in the house (oikia) by following a sign (His star) and in contrast (2) the shepherds see a baby (brephos) in the manger by seeing the sign of "a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Lk 2:12+) This contrast between the magi and the shepherds would support the premise that while the shepherds saw the newborn baby Jesus, the magi saw the infant Jesus, some time after His birth. In addition the fact that Herod chose the age of 2 years and younger to be killed supports that the magi did not visit Jesus as a newly born infant but later as a young infant. How much later we cannot say for sure but it could be days, months or even up to 2 years. Child (3813)(paidion diminutive of pais = child) is a little child of either sex, ranging from an infant (Mt 19:13, 14; Mk 10:13-15; Lk 18:16, 17, etc) to children who are older (Mt 11:16; Mt 14:21; 15:38; 18:2-5, etc) Paidion is used repeatedly of the infant Jesus in Matthew Matt. 2:8; Matt. 2:9; Matt. 2:11; Matt. 2:13; Matt. 2:14; Matt. 2:20; Matt. 2:21.