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NASB | Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king (Herod the Great), magi (wise men) from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, |
Bible Question: Many children were killed by Herod in his search for "the King of the Jews (Jesus). I was told by a certain religion that the Star of Bethleham was a tool of Satan, as were the 3 kings, to lead Herod's soldiers to the location of the baby Jesus to destroy Him. Are these true? |
Bible Answer: Hello again templesccroll I think that is an unusual interpretation of Matthew 2 to say the least. The magi are said to have "worshipped" when they saw the child - something that Satan would never lead anyone to do! It is worth noting that the "star" is never referred to in scripture as the "star of Bethlehem". The reason for this is important I believe. The star is referred to as "his star in the east" (v2) and also in v9-10 we read "the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy". The order of events seems to me to have been as follows: 1. The magi saw a star in the east. This star somehow (possibly through their knowledge of OT prophecy and the fact that the Messiah was widely expected at that period) caused them to recognise that the "King of the Jews" had been born. 2. The magi began their journey to Jerusalem - evidently assuming that the King of the Jews would be in Jerusalem - however they discovered a false king in Herod. 3. The "chief priests and scribes of the people" correctly advised that the Messiah would be BORN in Bethlehem. 4. The wise men, sent on their way begin to move toward Bethlehem and then "the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy". I believe that the star directed the wise men NOT to Bethlehem but to Nazareth. It would appear that the Lord was no longer the "babe" when they arrived, but rather a "young child". He was a child of "two years old" or "under" (see v16). When we compare with Luke Ch2 we discover (v39) that, from the earliest history of the child Jesus upon earth He was in Nazareth - "And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth" (this was a matter of days after the birth of Jesus). 5. Thus, it was from Nazareth that Joseph, Mary and the child journeyed into Egypt, and it was to Nazareth they returned. 6. The magi returned to their own country without telling Herod where the young child was - thus Bethlehem became the object of his anger, rather than Nazareth. 7. The flight into Egypt as commanded in a dream to Joseph was to put the Lord completely beyond the reach of Herod and to fulfil the Scripture "Out of Egypt have I called My Son". I realise there are some difficulties with this interpretation of the order of events but I think there are difficulties whatever way we consider the passages and seek to dovetail them. I stand to be corrected! David |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Matt 2:1 | Author | ||
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Wales | ||
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vai | ||
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templescroll | ||
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dwilliamson | ||
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templescroll | ||
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stjohn | ||
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dwilliamson | ||
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carrielynn | ||
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brothertim |