Matthew (Written)

Bromeliad.

Thursday, 8 August 2024

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. Matthew 2:7

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Then Herod, having called the magicians secretly, exacted of them the time of the appearing star” (CG).

In the previous verse, those before Herod cited the words of Micah concerning the birthplace and ruling status of the Messiah. Now, with that information, it next says, “Then Herod, having called the magicians secretly.”

The word is lathra. It is an adverb signifying secretly or privately. It is the same word used in Matthew 1:19 when Joseph thought to put away Mary once he found that she was pregnant. Herod pulled the magicians aside to discern something from them that he wanted to keep from the religious leaders. Having called them secretly, he “exacted of them.”

The word translated as “exacted” is akriboo. It is found only here and in Matthew 2:16. It signifies to learn carefully or inquire with exactness. He was careful to ascertain a particular bit of information that he did not want to become public, which was “the time of the appearing star.”

The verb is a present participle. The star was there. In other words, this wasn’t a star that only appeared in the past, as some translations could be interpreted. It was a star that had appeared and remained in appearance. This will be evident in verse 9. As such, this would dispel several of the “Bethlehem star” theories, which point to an astrological event that took place and then was over.

This lasted long enough for the magicians to see the star, prepare for the journey, travel, seek out the king, and so forth. It appears to be an extended event that took place.

Life application: Ultimately, the Star of Bethlehem is Jesus. That was seen in a previous commentary which cited Numbers 24 –

“I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob;
A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
And batter the brow of Moab,
And destroy all the sons of tumult.” Numbers 24:17

However, there is also something that directs the magicians to know where to go. This will be seen in verses 9 and 10. Despite this, the magicians needed to ascertain from the chief religious authorities in Jerusalem where the Messiah would be born. If the star guided them all the way, this step would not have been necessary.

Further, as noted above, the star had appeared and continued to appear as indicated in the present participle. Thus, this was not a single, short-term, astronomical event that happened. In the Bible, stars have various connotations, both literal and figurative. Stars can refer to literal stars, people (even bad people, such as in Jude 1:13), messengers (whether human or angelic), and so forth.

The star noted in Matthew is not defined, but it is separate from Jesus. This will become evident in the verses ahead. Suffice it to say that the coming of Jesus was prophesied. The magicians perceived His coming (whether literally or through sacred writings) from their home in the East. Also, the magicians had then traveled to pay homage to the Messiah.

From there, they had to ask where He was to be born. The enigmatic nature of the star calls out for us to know that God is in control of the process, and He alerted these magicians to confirm the words of Scripture and to bring about other events which were necessary to fulfill typology concerning the Messiah and His work.

Therefore, getting overly bogged down in past celestial events that may or may not point to the coming of the Messiah is not something necessary. Matthew has compiled an account of what occurred, it is detailed enough to ensure that we are aware of the coming of the Messiah and that we have our eggs in the right basket.

Beyond that, becoming argumentative over things that are uncertain is unprofitable and divisive. Let us instead focus on what God has done in Christ and rejoice that it leads to our salvation when we put our faith in Him.

O God, we stand in awe of You and what You have done. Your word tells us of the coming of Jesus and of the marvelous work He has accomplished for us. Help us to always consider Him in our daily walk. We are free from condemnation because of our Lord. Praise to You, O God, for Jesus Christ! Amen.

Orchid.

Wednesday, 7 August 2024

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” Matthew 2:6

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are not-at-all least in the governors of Judah.
For out of you will come forth – ruling,
Who will shepherd My people Israel’” (CG).

The previous verse noted that the chief priests and scribes told Herod that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea. The prophet who led them to this conclusion is next cited, beginning with, “And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah.”

The citation is from Micah 5:2. However, the words diverge from the Hebrew and Greek texts, more so from the Greek. However, Matthew is not citing the text, he is citing what the chief priests and scribes said to Herod. They could have simply been citing the verse from memory without even going to a text.

For example, the corresponding words from Micah in the Hebrew text say, “And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah.” The reason Micah says Ephrathah is because there were two places called Bethlehem in the Old Testament, one in Judah and one in Zebulun (Joshua 19:15). Micah noted the distinction between the two.

However, when those before Herod stated where the Messiah would be born, this was unnecessary. They were in Judah, and Bethlehem was right down the road. Therefore, it would make sense to simply say “Judah,” something Herod would have been more familiar with. Next, they continue the quote, saying of Bethlehem, “Are not-at-all least in the governors of Judah.”

This again deviates from the Hebrew a little. It literally says, “Insignificant, to be, in thousands Judah.” The difference between “governors” and “thousands,” however, is not that great. In the Hebrew, the term thousands speaks of a group who are governed by others. In Jethro’s advice to Moses in Exodus 18, he explained what Moses should do. This was accepted and became a standard in Israel –

“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.” Exodus 18:21

As for the Greek, Matthew uses a word found only here in Scripture, oudamós. It is a single word that signifies “by no means” or “not at all.” There is no comparable single word in English that matches in intent. As such not-at-all will do. Matthew next continues with, “For out of you will come forth – ruling.”

The verb is a present participle of a word signifying “to lead.” As such, “ruling” matches the intent. It also matches the intent of the Hebrew, which is also a verbal participle. The Hebrew says, “From you, to Me, comes out to be – ruling.” The Lord, speaking through Micah, told the people of Israel that one would come from Bethlehem who would be ruling, and “Who will shepherd My people Israel.”

The Hebrew only reads “in Israel.” However, later in Micah 5:4, it then says, “And stood and pastured.” The meaning carries the same intent as what the men said to Herod. Thus, it was understood that this coming One would be both a ruler and a shepherd of His people.

Taken together with other prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, no other person apart from Christ Jesus could fulfill the expected requirements. It was understood by those of Israel that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem. This does not change because the word of God is written and settled.

Therefore, any supposed Messiah must be from Bethlehem. But it has already been seen that He must also be from the house of David, something that can no longer be determined.

And more, He had to come before the destruction of the temple by the Romans as prophesied in Daniel 9, and so forth. Therefore, either Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Hebrew prophecies or there will never be a fulfillment of them, and they are simply false writings that have no basis in reality.

Life application: Of the words of this verse, Cambridge says –

“The LXX. [the Greek Old Testament] is singularly different both in words and construction—a proof of the Hebrew original of this gospel; for the Greek translation of the prophecy is evidently independent of the LXX.”

It is a ridiculous claim. Matthew elsewhere exactingly cites the LXX, almost letter for letter. Moreover, it has been seen that although this citation is somewhat similar to the Hebrew, it is not exact. Further, it skips in thought from Micah 5:2 to Micah 5:4. Thus, it is evident that the scribes were merely telling Herod the substance of what the Hebrew text said, maybe even from memory.

To claim that the original gospel of Matthew was written in Hebrew is to then dismiss clear evidence within the gospel, one which has already been seen, that it was written in Greek. Matthew 1:23 said –

“Behold, the virgin will have in womb, and will bring forth a Son, and they will call His name Emmanouél,” which is being translated, “With Us: The God.”

Matthew would not have said “which being translated” if he had written his gospel in Hebrew. As such, the verse itself would not be inspired by God because it has those additional words – “which is being translated” – that would have been later inserted by some unknown scribe without any justification.

The original New Testament writings were all compiled in Greek. The evidence of this is overwhelming. The reason for this is because God was beginning a new dispensation and taking the world in a new direction while Israel was under punishment for their rejection of Christ. Be careful when reading commentaries. Consider what is being said and don’t just accept what you read.

Glorious God, thank You for the word You have given us. It tells us of Your love for the people of the world, and yet it tells us of the tragedies – self-inflicted wounds – that we incur when we depart from You. Israel has yet to learn this lesson, but they will some glorious day. You have covenanted with them, and You will restore them to be shepherded by our marvelously glorious Lord Jesus. Amen.

Orchid.

Tuesday, 6 August 2024

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: Matthew 2:5

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus has it been written through the prophet’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Herod inquired of the chief priests and scribes concerning where the Messiah would be born. With that, Matthew now continues, “And they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea.’”

The name Bethlehem comes from the Hebrew words beith, house, and lekhem, bread. Thus, it means House of Bread. However, it has a secondary meaning which is derived from the Hebrew lakham, to fight or do battle. Thus, it can mean House of War. The connection between the two is that the word lakham figuratively means to consume. Just as man consumes bread, war consumes soldiers engaged in battle.

Judea is derived from Judah, Praise. This is where the term Jew is derived. This same sentiment concerning the birthplace of the Messiah was held by the common people as well. This is evidenced many years later in John 7 –

“Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, ‘Truly this is the Prophet.’ ⁴¹ Others said, ‘This is the Christ.’
But some said, ‘Will the Christ come out of Galilee? ⁴² Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?’” John 7:40-42

As such, it was commonly understood by the people, whether they knew the source of this information or not, but it seems likely they would have. As for that source, the men before Herod next say, “for thus has it been written.”

The verb is in the perfect tense. As such, the words that were written describe a completed action producing results that were still in effect. It had been written and what the word said remained true. In other words, it reveals the unchanging nature of the word that was given “through the prophet.”

Many translations read “by the prophet.” The word is dia. It signifies through (think of diameter: through a circle). The word “by” can have that connotation, such as “His words were written by a scribe, Jeremiah,” but it can also mean that a person did the writing on his own, “This was thought of, written by, and paid for by Jeremiah.”

In the case of Scripture, it is the word of the Lord written through Jeremiah. Saying “by” could lead one to a wrong impression unless he understood the doctrine of inspiration –

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

&

“…knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, ²¹ for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20, 21

Life application: One could ask if inspiration means that the word of God is solely derived from Him without any input from the prophet. In some cases, this may be the case when the Lord speaks out exactly what He wants written down.

However, at other times, the personality of an individual shines forth along with the clear understanding that it is the word of God that is being conveyed. Luke’s style in the Gospel of Luke and Acts is quite noticeable. And yet, the structure and patterns clearly reveal a divine inspiration that Luke probably didn’t even know existed.

In fact, many patterns in his writings, some of which fit in harmony with other books of the Bible, have only been found in recent years. New patterns continue to be found as well.

Paul used a scribe, Tertius, to pen the book of Romans (Romans 16:22). Anyone who knew Tertius’ handwriting would say, “This was written by Tertius.” And yet, the letter was dictated by Paul. Anyone who was (or is) familiar with Paul’s thoughts as expressed in his epistles would say, “Paul said these things.” And so, there is harmony between the two, even though the traits of both are evident.

And yet, anyone who is familiar with the Bible will know that it perfectly expresses the thoughts of God. Paul’s words in Romans are consistent with what is seen from Him throughout Scripture. And more, innumerable patterns between the typology presented in the Old Testament and the fulfillment of those types is expressed in Romans, demonstrating that God was completely involved in the process of inspiring Romans.

Likewise, studies have been conducted on the words used by Paul in all of his epistles. For example, rich and certain numerical patterns are to be found within the number of uses of various words, far too many to be by random chance.

Take time to consider the doctrine of inspiration and how it then forms an integral part of what God is presenting through the people He has selected to give us His word. With this divine/human touch, the word of God becomes an intimate love letter to those who will receive it.

Also, as you read it, pray for wisdom in what it is telling you. Ask Him to make you a conduit for the divine inspiration of Scripture by disclosing to you its hidden secrets. If you find a pattern that no one has ever seen there before, it is because God has chosen that particular moment in time to uncover it. And more, He has chosen you to be a part of the unfolding of that pattern in this marvelous tapestry that reveals His goodness to the people of the world.

Glorious Lord God, what a treasure Your word is. It has been read, contemplated, studied, explored, and analyzed for thousands of years. And yet, You are still revealing its hidden mysteries to Your people. How can we not stand in awe of You? And how can we not tremble at Your word as we contemplate what it is telling us? Praises to You, O God, for Your wonderful word. Amen.

Orchids.

Monday, 5 August 2024

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. Matthew 2:4

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And having convened all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ is born” (CG).

In the previous verse, it noted that Herod and all in Jerusalem were troubled at the news of the birth of the King of Israel. Matthew next says, “And having convened all the chief priests.”

The chief priests are those who held the office of the high priest. Aaron was the first high priest, and the designation was to last throughout his life. One could expect this to be true with all subsequent high priests unless he was unable to perform his duties due to health, a state of uncleanness, or something similar.

However, it later came about, especially under the rule of the Romans, that the office of high priest became a political tool. High priests were appointed for a period of time. This is seen, for example, in John 11 where it appears to have been an annual appointment –

“And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all, ⁵⁰ nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.’ ⁵¹ Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, ⁵² and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.” John 11:49-52

Some believe the term “chief priests” also extends to the leader of the twenty-four courses of priests originally designated by David in 1 Chronicles 24. There is nothing in Scripture to agree with this, but it is a possibility, nonetheless. At this time, it is generally accepted that these chief priests mostly fell under the class known as Sadducees. Next, Matthew says, “and scribes.”

The Greek word is grammateus. It signifies those learned in Jewish law, teachers, town clerks, and so forth. One can see the etymological root of the word grammar in the name. It answers to the Hebrew word saphar, to count, recount, relate, etc. That is the verbal root of sepher, a book or writing document.

These men would speak of the law, maintain the scrolls and parchments, recopy documents, and so forth. It is believed that many of these were of the class known as the Pharisees. These are next noted as “of the people.”

The Pulpit Commentary says, “In the absence of the article before γραμματεῖς [grammateis: scribes] we must take the words, ‘of the people,’ as belonging to both terms. Both classes, chief priests and scribes, served the people.” As such, the information found in Scripture was available to the people concerning whatever matter they desired to know.

For example, concerning the place where the Messiah would be born, it would have been available to any who wanted to search the matter out. As for Herod, Matthew next says, “he inquired of them where the Christ is born.”

The Greek word Christ is equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah. Both mean Anointed One. He is the One prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures that would fulfill all of the messianic promises noted in the Law, Prophets, and Writings.

As for the words “is born,” the Greek is present tense. As such, it is a certainty that it was as the magicians had said. The Christ is born and among His people. Herod had called this gathering of priests and learned men together to determine where the birthplace of this “King of the Jews” was. The magicians from the east had talked about it based on a sign, thus it was certain to have come to pass.

Life application: To this day, there are scribes of the word in the sense that they carefully review source texts, look for texts that were previously unknown, determine exact translations or transliterations of words, seek to understand the exact context of what the word is telling us, and so forth.

One might use the term “scholar.” The word was received, compiled, and kept for the people of Israel to refer to. However, that has continued into the church age. The New Testament was received, compiled, and it has been kept by learned men throughout the millennia.

The vast number of source documents including commentaries, archaeological finds of ancient texts, and continuous training in the original languages has secured and protected the word throughout all of this time.

When erroneous translations are made, they can be identified and called out. When non-canonical documents are brought forth as supposed “additions” to Scripture, they can be dismissed for not bearing the proper safeguarding, transmission, and/or illumination of what is clearly inspired.

All in all, we have a sure word in, what is considered by Protestant churches as, the Holy Bible. The Roman Catholic Church, without sufficient reason, added the apocryphal books into their cannon during the Council of Trent in 1546. This was done in an attempt to justify unjustifiable practices being carried out within the church.

These books, though being important historical documents, are not to be considered inspired. The sixty-six books of the Protestant Bible bear the stamp of inspiration in innumerable ways. They reveal the light of God in Christ to His people, and they are given by God to allow us to understand everything necessary to be saved and then to walk faithfully in our salvation.

Let us be grateful to God for His superior word, which is a light and a lamp for our spiritual lives.

Heavenly Father, truly Your word is a great blessing to our souls. We are so thankful to You for those who have received it, compiled it, maintained it, and who also instruct us in it. Because of Your word, we know what You are doing in redemptive history, and we can walk properly before You all our days. Thank You, above all, for Jesus who is so carefully revealed in Your word. Amen.

Orchid.

Sunday, 4 August 2024

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And Herod the king, having heard, he was agitated, and all Jerusalem with him” (CG).

The previous verse noted that the magicians had seen the star of the King of the Jews in the direction of the sunrising and they had come to worship Him. With that noted, Matthew now records, “And Herod the king.”

Herod was a power-hungry king who feared any challenge, real or imagined, to his reign. Of him, Charles Ellicott writes –

“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.”

So fearful was he of any challenge to his throne that he had his own sons executed for simply being popular. Understanding his personality, Matthew next records, “having heard, he was agitated.”

Herod certainly questioned how magicians from the East could come looking for the King of the Jews but not be looking for him. He sat on the throne over the Jewish people! Because of this, Matthew notes that he was agitated.

The word is tarassó. HELPS Word Studies says it means to “put in motion (to agitate back-and-forth, shake to-and-fro); (figuratively) to set in motion what needs to remain still (at ease); to ‘trouble’ (‘agitate’), causing inner perplexity (emotional agitation) from getting too stirred up inside (‘upset’).”

One can see Herod standing there beside himself, distraught with the thought of a challenge to his throne. Certainly because of this, it next says, “and all Jerusalem with him.”

The word “all” is used in a comparative sense. An important point in Scripture is that not every “every” means “every,” and not all “all’s” mean “all.” There were certainly people sitting in local cafes that had no idea what was transpiring in the royal hall. There were servants tending to the homes of their masters who would have no idea about the coming of the magicians. In all, probably very few of the people in the city had an inkling about the report.

Rather, in this case, Jerusalem stands for the seat of power. Therefore, it is referring to those who were in the royal court with Herod. They would have certainly been agitated, knowing his proclivity for harming others, and they would be walking on eggshells at the thought of what he might do in this instance.

Life application: Herod was an Idumean by birth, meaning an Edomite. Idumean is simply the Greek form of the word. Of this people group, the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus says that about 129 BC John Hyrcanus –

“…subdued all the Idumeans; and permitted them to stay in that country, if they would circumcise their genitals, and make use of the laws of the Jews; and they were so desirous of living in the country of their forefathers, that they submitted to the use of circumcision, and of the rest of the Jewish ways of living; at which time therefore this befell them, that they were hereafter no other than Jews.” Antiquities, Book 13 Chapter 9 Section 1

What this means is that the Edomites were brought into the nation of Israel, becoming Jews. This is no different than an Arab or a Japanese person today converting to Judaism. They become a part of the Jewish people. Whether their origins are remembered and held against them by other supposedly pure-blooded Jews or not is irrelevant. They are now Jews.

The line of Herod was a part of this conversion, but the racial animosities obviously remained, and despite being a Jew, it is obvious from historical records that he was remembered for his ancestral heritage more than his acceptance into the Jewish culture.

In the Bible, there are references to Edom, Moab, Ammon, etc., that are contained in prophecies that extend even beyond our time. And yet, there is no nation of Edom, Moab, etc. What this means is that the Bible is using the lands, once inhabited by those people groups, as emblematic of the people in those lands today.

Thus, when a future prophecy refers to Philistia, it is speaking of the modern-day Gazans, not Philistines. In referring to Ammon, Edom, or Moab, it is generally speaking of the Arabs who occupy Jordan. In other words, the lands that were originally settled by these people retain those name designations in Scripture.

This is important to understand because the Edomites of the past are now incorporated into the Jews of today. When the Romans exiled the Jews, those Edomites (Idumeans) who had assimilated into the Jewish people were a part of that exile. There are no “Edomites” today in a real sense. The nation does not exist. Instead, only the lands where they were are considered Edom.

Remember this as you read the Bible. There is a baseline for what is presented. That baseline does not change unless the change is recorded in Scripture. But whatever the final designation in Scripture is, that is what is to be considered when analyzing the world today.

Understanding this, the biblical model which refers to Christians is one that is set and unchanging. Jesus came, fulfilled the law, and introduced the New Covenant. Entry into what God is doing now takes place through the baseline that has been set because of Jesus Christ.

Being “Jewish” is no longer what designates a person who is in a right standing with God. Jews may be in a right standing, or they might not be. But the standard that makes it so is by coming to God through Christ Jesus. This is what God is doing in the world. The pattern is set because the Bible is complete.

And for those who have come to Christ, there are no longer any distinctions that should separate us. Herod may have been considered an Edomite even though he was a Jewish convert. However, such designations are no longer to be looked down on as if one group is better than another.

A Japanese, a Kenyan, and a Jew all walked into a church…

When they got there, they were (and remain) on an equal footing before God because of faith in Jesus Christ –

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatian 3:26-29

Lord God, how grateful we are for what Christ has done for us. We are all one in Him through faith in His completed work. We are granted access to Your heavenly throne where You hear us regardless of who we once were. Thank You for the wonderful blessing of being Your child through simple faith in Him. Hallelujah and Amen.