Matthew 2:1-6

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Matthew 2:1-6
Since Matthew writes to the Jews, it is only natural that he repeatedly refers to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. In fact, Matthew quotes or alludes to the Old Testament over 100 times. In chapter two, he makes four references to prophecy and its fulfillment in Christ.

One of the peculiarities of Matthew’s account is his reference to the Gentiles. We have already noticed in chapter one that there are three Gentile women included in Jesus’ genealogy. In this text, Matthew draws our attention to the contrast between Gentile and Jewish reactions at the news of the birth of Jesus. Though we would have expected the Jews to have been the first to accept the coming messiah, it is instead the Gentiles who have come to worship Him. However, the Jews (Herod and all Jerusalem), are “troubled.” Matthew will continue to emphasize this contrast throughout his treatise.

It is notable to see that these Gentiles are “magi” from the east. How would they have known about the coming Christ? There are a number of possible explanations. When the Babylonian captivity began (605 B.C.), Daniel was one of the captives. He was part of the magi in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. His prophecies foretold of the coming kingdom that would rule over all the earth. Further, the Jews who were dispersed throughout this region would have influenced the Gentiles around them. We would expect that these magi had the same messianic hope as their Jewish neighbors. If they had heard the reading of the law in the synagogues, they would have been exposed to other prophets such as Isaiah who would have given them a picture of a coming messiah. Finally, it is likely that the Lord communicated directly to these men and sent them on their journey.

We should also be impressed that the chief priests and scribes knew exactly where the “King” and “Messiah” would be born. Bethlehem was the original city of David, the place where Naomi and Ruth had their inheritance land. It would now be exalted as the birthplace of the messiah. Unfortunately, the scribes did not quote the last line of Micah 5:2, “His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” The messiah would be God Himself!

Berry Kercheville