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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:16

Slew all the children - This cruelty of Herod seems alluded to in very decisive terms by Macrobius, who flourished toward the conclusion of the fourth Century. In his chapter De jocis Augusti in alios, et aliorum rursus in ipsum , he says, Cum audisset inter pueros, quos in Syria Herodes, rex Judeorum, intra bimatum jussit interfici, filium quoque ejus occisum, ait, Melius est Herodis Porcum esse, quam Filium . "When he heard that among those male infants about two years old, which... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:13

Verse 13 13.And when they had departed How many days elapsed from the departure of the Magi, till Joseph was ordered to flee into Egypt, is not known, nor is it of much importance to inquire: only it is probable that the Lord spared Mary, till she was so far recovered from childbirth as to be able to perform the journey. It was a wonderful purpose of God, that he chose to preserve his Son by flight. The mind of Joseph must have been harassed by dangerous temptations, when he came to see that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:15

Verse 15 15.Out of Egypt have I called my Son Matthew says that a prediction was fulfilled. Some have thought, that the intention of the prophet was different from what is here stated, and have supposed the meaning to be, that the Jews act foolishly in opposing and endeavoring to oppress the Son of God, because the Father hath called him out of Egypt In this way, they grievously pervert the words of the prophet, (Hosea 11:1,) the design of which is, to establish a charge of ingratitude against... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:16

Verse 16 16.Then Herod when he saw Matthew speaks according to what Herod felt and thought about the matter. He believed that the Magi had deceived him, because they did not choose to take part in his wicked cruelty. He was rather taken in his own trickery, — in his base pretense, that he too intended to pay homage to the new King. Josephus makes no mention of this history. The only writer who mentions it is Macrobius, in the Second Book of his Saturnalia, where, relating the jokes and taunts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 2:13

The deliverance of Jesus by flight into Egypt. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:13

And (Revised Version, now ) when they were departed . The flight was not by their advice, and they were not even entrusted with the secret. Behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream ( Matthew 1:20 , notes). The present tense ( φαίνεται ) is here more vivid. Saying , Arise ( Matthew 2:14 , note), and take the young Child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word ; Revised Version, I tell thee ( ἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:13-15

System in providence. It were a truism to say that there is wisdom in providence; for otherwise providence could not be Divine. In that wisdom there is what Paul describes as a manifoldness ( Ephesians 3:10 ). And this appears in a system of developments and correspondences, evincing at the same time unity of plan. The text furnishes striking illustrations. It suggests— I. THAT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL WERE CHRIST TYPICAL . 1 . For Hosea 's allusion is historical. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:13-22

The providence that befriended the earliest life of Jesus. Three times in this chapter, as well as once in the preceding ( Matthew 1:20 ), do we thus read of the intervention of particular Divine directions given to Joseph in the interest of the infant Jesus. The grand head under which events of this kind must seek and find their classification is that of providence. The next greatest fact to creation is providence, without which creation itself would soon have proved a still-born thing,... read more

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