Matthew 2

Birth of Jesus Christ

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Matthew 2:1

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city of David, just as the prophets said. Matthew anchors His birth in real history, in the days of King Herod.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Luke 2:4-7 — Luke's account of the birth in Bethlehem.
• fulfils Micah 5:2 — The ruler of Israel would come out of Bethlehem.

King of the Jews

King of the Jews — the rightful royal heir of David, the Messiah-King

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matthew 2:2

The wise men recognize the baby as a born King and come to worship Him. Worship belongs only to God, so their act witnesses His divinity. The same title will be written over His cross.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Matthew 27:37 — The accusation over the cross: 'THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.'
• fulfils Jeremiah 23:5 — A righteous Branch raised to David, a King who shall reign.

Star out of Jacob

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matthew 2:2

The new star announcing His birth fulfills the old prophecy that a Star would come out of Jacob. On the other side of the world, the Nephites saw a new star too.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Numbers 24:17 — Balaam: 'there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel.'
• fulfils Helaman 14:5 — Samuel the Lamanite foretold a new star at His birth.
• the same event in 3 Nephi 1:21 — The new star appeared among the Nephites.

Christ

Christ — 'the Anointed One,' the Messiah

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

Herod and the scribes understand the wise men are asking about the Messiah. Even Christ's enemies know the prophecies point to a coming Anointed One.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Governor who shall rule Israel

Governor — the Ruler and Shepherd-King of God's people

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, Matthew 2:5–6

The chief priests quote Micah: a Governor from little Bethlehem will rule God's people. Jesus is that ruler, and His rule is as a shepherd who cares for His flock.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Micah 5:2 — Out of Bethlehem Ephratah comes the ruler whose goings forth have been from everlasting.
• alludes to 2 Samuel 5:2 — The Lord told David, 'Thou shalt feed my people Israel' — the shepherd-ruler language.

Birth of Jesus Christ

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. Matthew 2:8–10

'The young child' is Jesus. The star leads seekers directly to Him, while wicked Herod pretends to want to worship Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Birth of Jesus Christ

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

The wise men see the Christ child and fall down in worship. Gentiles from far away are among the first to worship Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Psalm 72:10-11 — Kings shall bring presents; all kings shall fall down before him.
• fulfils Isaiah 60:3 — Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Gold, frankincense, and myrrh

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

Christians have long seen the gifts as symbols of who He is: gold for a King, frankincense (burned in temple worship) for God and High Priest, and myrrh (used in burial) for the One who would die for us.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 60:6 — They shall bring gold and incense and show forth the praises of the LORD.
• typified by Exodus 30:34-37 — Frankincense was part of the holy incense of the tabernacle.
• a type of what is in John 19:39 — Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes to bury Jesus.

Son of God

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord 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. Matthew 2:13–15

Hosea spoke of God calling Israel, His 'son,' out of Egypt. Matthew shows that Israel's Exodus was a pattern of Jesus' own life: the true Son also comes out of Egypt to redeem His people.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Hosea 11:1 — When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
• typified by Exodus 4:22-23 — Israel is my son, even my firstborn — the nation as a type of the Son.

Moses as a type of Christ

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, 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 enquired of the wise men. Matthew 2:16–21

A wicked king kills the baby boys, but the promised deliverer is spared, and he returns when 'they are dead' who sought his life. These are the same details as the infancy and call of Moses, marking Jesus as the prophet like unto Moses.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• typified by Exodus 1:22 — Pharaoh commands every Hebrew son to be cast into the river.
• alludes to Exodus 4:19 — The Lord to Moses: 'all the men are dead which sought thy life.'
• fulfils Deuteronomy 18:15 — The Lord will raise up a Prophet like unto Moses.

Nazarene

Nazarene — one from Nazareth; often linked to Hebrew netzer, 'branch' (Isaiah 11:1)

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2:23

Jesus grows up in humble Nazareth. Matthew says the prophets foretold this; many see a play on the Hebrew word for 'branch,' the Messianic title of the shoot from Jesse's root.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 11:1 — A Branch (netzer) shall grow out of the roots of Jesse.
• the same title in Matthew 26:71 — 'This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.'