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2 east to Jerusalem, saying: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come

philosophers, and men of letters. They were much devoted to medicine, astrology, and religion, and were highly esteemed by kings as counsellors in civil and military affairs, as they professed to predict future events. Their doctrines were ascribed to Abraham as their author, or reformer; and afterwards becoming corrupted, were purified by Zoroaster, who is said to have been a descendant of the prophet Daniel. They are asserted to have worshipped God in spirit, without the use of images. As they were imbued with many Jewish notions, it was not unnatural that they should have participated to some extent in the Jewish expectation of a Messiah. Indeed Bishop Pearce believes them to have been Jews, residing in the colleges of the Magi. Rabmag, Jer. xxxix. 3, 13, means the chief of the wise men. Daniel referred to them v. 11, and at one time presided over them. From the east. This is a general name of Arabia, Media, Persia, and Chaldea. It cannot now be determined from which country these visitors came, but their gifts were famous productions of Arabia, though that country lies rather south than east of Judea. To Jerusalem. They naturally resort to the capital to see the supposed new-born king of the nation.

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2. King of the Jews. As the regal office was the highest in human estimation, Jesus is often spoken of as a king, and his religion as a kingdom. A general expectation was abroad throughout the whole eastern world, that some extraordinary personage would appear at this period. Mankind anxiously awaited his coming. The Jews, relying on their prophecies, thirsted to behold their great Restorer. Jo

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sephus, their historian, says that the principal cause which stimulated them to make war against the Romans was an ambiguous oracle, found also in our sacred writings, that about this time some one from Judea should obtain the empire of the world." Suetonius, a Roman historian, writing about the same period, mentions" that there had been for a long time all over the east a notion firmly believed, that it was in the books of the fates, that some one from Judea was destined, about that time, to obtain the empire of the world." Tacitus, another Roman author, of great credit and veracity, speaking of the Jewish calamities when their city was destroyed by Titus, says "that the mass of the people entertained a strong persuasion that it was mentioned in the ancient writings of the priests, that at that very time the east should prevail, and some one from Judea obtain the empire of the world." Other writers might be cited to the same effect. - His star. It was believed by the ancients that new stars appeared before great events, and at the birth or death of illustrious men, and had some mysterious connexion with their lives. Pliny says, that a new star or comet was seen on the accession of Augustus to the Roman empire, which he called his natal

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As the wise men were skilled in astrology, they readily detected uncommon appearances in the heavens. Whether the star or meteor they saw had any connexion with the bright light which accompanied the descent of the Angels to the shepherds, mentioned by Luke, ii. 9, is not stated. Probably the star was a brilliant meteor, supernaturally conducting them to the object of their search. "No man,' says

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to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, 3 he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and when he 4 had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

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Bishop Hall," is so qualified to see the star of Christ as a diligent proficient in philosophy." In the east. While they were in the east country, they saw the star in the west, and accordingly directed their steps thither. · To worship him. Not in the sense of religious homage, but simply of obeisance or high respect. Marks of great reverence were shown to kings, especially in the east. Prostration of the body upon the ground before sovereigns, and the giving of the most costly presents, were common signs of homage. The wise men, regarding the young child as a candidate for the Jewish throne, and heir to some remarkable destiny, followed the usual custom. The word worship was formerly applied to the respect paid to man, as well as the homage given to God, see 1 Chron. xxix. 20.

3. It does not appear that Herod had as yet seen the wise men. By common report he heard of their coming and object. Afterwards, ver. 7, he sent to have an interview with them. He was troubled. Was agitated. His fear was natural. He had laid the foundation of his throne in blood and crime, and killed several of his own family. His outraged conscience made him uneasy, jealous, and fearful. Wickedness converts men into cowards, "but the righteous are bold as a lion." Though far advanced in years, his insatiate ambition also led him to be anxious about the continuance of the government in his hands, and those of his successor; for the Pharisees, according to Josephus, had predicted the overthrow of Herod's reign, probably

in sanguine expectation of the coming of their Messiah. If a legitimate heir to the throne was now born, he feared the kingdom would be taken out of his hands, for he was a foreigner and a usurper. All Jerusalem with him i. e. The city generally was agitated. The friends and adherents of Herod would participate in his fear and suspicion; while his enemies might justly apprehend, what afterwards took place, ver. 16, that the tyrant would find on this occasion a pretext, however groundless, for some unheard-of atrocity. Or they might rejoice at the prospect of his downfall, and exult in the hope of the speedy coming of the Messiah.

4. We may infer the extent of his consternation from the active steps he took to calm it.- Chief priests and scribes of the people. Probably a circumlocution for the Sanhedrim, or Jewish Senate, consisting of seventy persons. Its members were chiefly priests and Levites, including the high-priest, the ex-high-priests, and the chiefs of the twenty-four classes, into which David had divided the sacerdotal order. 1 Chron. xxiii. 6. Its jurisdiction was both civil and ecclesiastical. The scribes, elsewhere called lawyers and doctors of the law, were men of learning, versed in the laws of Moses, and the commentaries upon them. They kept the public records and registers, drew up law documents for the people, transcribed the sacred books, and acted as religious teachers and interpreters. He demanded, &c. As they understood the sacred books and made it their business to expound them, he naturally

5 And they said unto him: In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it 6 is written by the prophet: "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people 7 Israel." Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared, 8 and he sent them to Bethlehem, and said: Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed. And, lo, the

star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came 10 and stood over where the young child was. When they saw 11 the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy; and when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him; and

referred to them for information respecting the birthplace of the Messiah. Where. This was the important point with Herod. He

wished to know the exact place, that he might find the child and put it to death. Observe, too, that the question indicates how strong the expectation of the coming of the Messiah was; though the hypocritical king thought to falsify the sure word of prophecy, and, fighting against God, to destroy the infant Jesus. Christ. Rather the Christ, or the Messiah.

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5. It was a current opinion, originated by the prophecies, that the Messiah would be born at Bethlehem. John vii. 42. The prophet. Micah v. 2. The language is not verbatim, but the essential ideas are conveyed. The Evangelist might have quoted from memory.

6. Matthew only states that the passage was adduced by the priests and scribes as a proof that the MesIsiah would be born at Bethlehem. Rule. The original is, feed and tend as a shepherd. Kings were anciently called the shepherds of their people.

7. Privily called. Jealousy loves to move in the dark. - Inquired diligently. Or, procured from them exact information. He probably wished to ascertain the precise age of the child.

8. Worship him also. Also should be placed before may come, thus, "that I also may come," &c. He veiled his purpose under the mask of hypocrisy. His conduct on this occasion was in accordance with his whole character, as drawn by Josephus and other ancient writers.

9. Which they saw in the east. A different arrangement would be better; "which they, in the east, saw." It was the custom of the old painters to represent Christ with luminous rays encircling his head; derived perhaps from the circumstance of the star, standing over the place where the young child was, or the glory which surrounded him at the Baptism, or on the Mount of Transfiguration.

10. Their joy at finding their object indicates the value they attached to it.

11. Fell down and worshipped. Prostrated themselves and did obei

when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being 12 warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord 13 appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying: Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child 14 and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; and was 15 there until the death of Herod ; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying: "Out of

sance, as they would to any royal personage. There was no religious homage paid in the act. -Presented. An oriental custom, still observed. Those who would pay honor to kings, magistrates, and persons of high dignity, carry to them costly gifts. 2 Chron. ix. 1; Is. lx. 6. Gold and frankincense and myrrh. 2 Chron. ix. 14. These were productions of Arabia and other oriental countries. They were timely aids to the not rich Joseph, for his succeeding journey into a foreign land. - Frankincense. A valuable aromatic gum, used in perfumes, sacrifices, and medicines. It exudes from incisions made in a tree during the summer. Myrrh. A vegetable production of the gum or resin kind, of a bitter taste, employed in anointing, perfuming, and in embalming the dead. John xix. 39. It is noticeable that the same substance which was given as a birthpresent to Jesus was also prepared for his burial.

12. Should not return to Herod. Else the life of Jesus would have been taken, unless some other interposition had been made. The will of God could be communicated in a dream as well as in any other way.

13. Egypt. During their troubles at home, the Jews had flocked in

great numbers to that country, where

they enjoyed toleration. Thus, by a strange vicissitude in human affairs, the land of their fathers' bondage became their asylum of liberty, and the refuge of their endangered Messiah. Several circumstances combined to recommend this country for the purpose for which Joseph fled to it. It was free from Herod's jurisdiction. Its border was near, only about sixty miles southwest from Bethlehem. Joseph and his family would find sympathy among their countrymen. By the gifts of the wise men, they had been furnished with the means of subsistence and comfort while away from home and their customary occupations. Herod will seek. This prediction was afterwards fulfilled. Joseph seems not to have been aware of any hostility to the child on Herod's part, until he was divinely acquainted with it.

14. By night. To conceal his departure, and escape from danger as soon as possible. There is no trustworthy history or tradition of the events that befel them during their sojourn in Egypt.

15. Death of Herod. Probably their residence there was short, as Herod is supposed to have died in the second year after Christ's birth.

Then Herod, when he saw men, was exceeding wroth;

16 Egypt have I called my Son." that he was mocked of the wise and sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the 17 wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jere18 my the prophet, saying: "In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning; Rachel weep

See ver. 16.-Prophet. Hos. xi. 1. Hosea clearly refers here to the past history of the Israelites. He utters no prediction. Matthew quotes his words by way of allusion or accommodation, not as the accomplishment of a prophecy, for there was none. He says there was a striking coincidence between God's calling the children of Israel, and his son Jesus Christ, out of Egypt.

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16. Mocked. Was trifled with, or deceived. Exceeding wroth. Angry beyond measure. Josephus describes him as a man of most ungovernable passions. Slew all the children, &c. If this had been related of any other man, it would have seemed incredible, but it accorded with Herod's character. For he had put to death a brother-in-law, one of his wives, and three of his children, besides great numbers of the Jews at different times and under different pretexts. The slaughter of the Innocents harmonized therefore with the diabolical character of this man of blood. It is likely that only a small number suffered. The masculine gender of the noun in the original, and the circumstances of the case indicate that none but male infants were killed. Bethlehem was not a large village, and it has been conjectured that the number of victims was somewhere between ten and fifty. — Coasts. Borders, adjacent places. Two years old and under. Herod thought in this way to insure the destruction

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of the helpless babe that had stirred up his fear and wrath. - According to the time, &c. Not that he had been making inquiries for two years of the Magians, or had thus long awaited their return, but such as had entered upon the second year suffered together with those under that age, which would accord with the information he had derived from the wise men, and insure, as he thought, the death of the distinguished child.

17. The grief of the mothers of Bethlehem, bereft of their infants, reminds Matthew of a parallel poetical scene in Jeremiah xxxi. 15. The description of the old prophet was fulfilled, or verified, or made good. In this manner the New Testament writers not unfrequently quote from the Old.

18. Rama. This was a city in the tribe of Benjamin, not far from Bethlehem in Judah. As Rachel was the mother of Benjamin, she is introduced as most nearly concerned in the calamities of her posterity. It is only by way of accommodation, that this passage, originally relating to what transpired in the tribe of Benjamin, when the Israelites were carried into captivity, is used to describe what took place in Judah in the days of Herod. There was great force and beauty in the introduction of this poetical figure, and it chimed exquisitely with the feelings and associations of the Jews, for whose special edification Matthew

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