Matthew 2:1-12,Luke 2:8-15

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:3

(3) Herod the king.—When the Magi reached Jerusalem, the air was thick with fears and rumours, The old king (the title had been given by the Roman Senate in B.C. 40) was drawing to the close of his long and blood-stained reign. Two years before he had put to death, on a charge of treason, his two sons by Mariamne, his best-loved wife, through sheer jealousy of the favour with which the people looked on them. At the time when this history opens, his eldest son, Antipater, was under condemnation.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:4

(4) The chief priests and scribes.—The chief priests were probably the heads of the twenty-four courses into which the sons of Aaron were divided (2 Chronicles 23:8; Luke 1:5), but the term may have included those who had, though only for a time, held the office of high priest. The “scribes” were the interpreters of the Law, casuists and collectors of the traditions of the Elders, for the most part Pharisees. The meeting thus convened was not necessarily a formal meeting of the Sanhedrim or... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:5

(5) In Bethlehem of Judæa.—The words of the people in John 7:42 show the same belief thirty years later. The Targum, or Jewish paraphrase, of Micah 5:2, inserts the very words, “Out of thee the Messiah shall come.” read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:6

(6) And thou Bethlehem. . . .—The Evangelist is not quoting the prophecy of Micah himself, but recording it as it was quoted by the scribes. This in part explains the fact that he does not give either the version of the LXX., or a more accurate rendering of the Hebrew, but a free paraphrase. As the Targum, just referred to, belongs to this period, it is perfectly possible that the writer of it may have been one of the Council. At any rate, his Messianic reference of the passage was likely to be... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:7

(7) When he had privily called.—True to his nature to the last—himself probably a believer in astrology, and haunted by fears of what the star portended—the king’s next measure is to ascertain the limits of his danger. The English “what time the star appeared” is not quite accurate. Literally, the time of the star that was appearing—i.e., at what time the star, which was still visible (Matthew 2:9), had first appeared.Enquired of them diligently.—Better, ascertained exactly. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:8

(8) Bethlehem was but a short six miles from Jerusalem. “Diligently,” better, as before, exactly. So far as the mission became known, it would impress the people with the belief that he too shared their hopes, and was ready to pay his homage to the new-born King. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:9

(9) Which they saw. . . .—The words would seem to imply that they started in the evening, and, as they started, saw the star in the direction of Bethlehem. In popular language it served to guide them, and so led them on. We need not suppose that they found the child whom they sought in the “manger” described by St. Luke. There had been time for the crowds that had been gathered by the census to disperse, and Joseph and Mary may have found a house in which they could lodge. The expectations that... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:11

(11) Opened their treasures.—The word points to caskets, or chests, which they had brought with them.Gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.—These were natural enough as the traditional gifts of homage to a ruler. Compare the gifts sent by Jacob to Joseph (Genesis 43:11), and Psalms 45:8, for the myrrh and spices; Psalms 72:15, for the gold; Isaiah 60:6, for gold and incense. The patristic interpretation of the gifts as significant—the gold, of kingly power; the incense, of Divinity; the myrrh, of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:12

(12) Being warned of God.—Following the order of events in our minds, it seems probable that after their homage on the evening of their arrival, they retired, possibly to the “inn” of Bethlehem, and were then, in their sleep, warned not to return to Jerusalem the following day, but to make their way to the fords of Jordan, and so to escape from the tyrant’s jealous pursuit. So ends all that we know of the visit of the Magi. St. Matthew, writing for Hebrews, recorded it apparently as testifying... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Matthew 2:1-23

Matthew 2:1 See, on the earlier part of this chapter, Mrs. Browning's striking poem, 'Christmas Gifts'. Savonarola, after quoting verses 1 and 2 in one of his sermons, proceeds to harangue the Florentines as follows: 'Mark the words and observe the mysteries. Behold then that He by whom all things were made is this day born upon earth. Behold He that is above all things begins by having a native land; He begins as the compatriot of men, the companion of men, the brother of men, and the son of... read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:3

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:4

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:5

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:6

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:7

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:8

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:9

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:11

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 2:12

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Matthew 2:1-23

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