Mathew Chapter 2

Integrated Design

• 66 Separate Books - Penned by over 40 different individuals - Over several thousand years• Design anticipates, in detail, events before they happen - From outside our dimension of time and space

Epistemological Approach

Establish the Integrity

of Design

Establish the Identity of Jesus Christ

Authentication

Chapter 2

1. Visit of the Magi 2:1-152. Massacre at Bethlehem 2:16-183. Flight to Egypt 2:19-224. Return into Nazareth 2:23

Magi of Medo-Persia

Magi of Medo-Persia

• Oneiromancy, not astrology, was their key skill Herodotus 1.107, 120; VII.19

• Established as the state religion of Persia by Darius the Great, after some Magi who were considered to be expert in interpretation of dreams had been attached to the Median court.• (Not originally followers of Zoroaster)

Encyclopedia Britannica 7:691

Magian Religion vs. Judaism

• Each had its monotheistic concept of one beneficent creator of all good who in turn was opposed by a malevolent evil spirit.• Each had its hereditary priesthood which became the essential mediator between God and man by virtue of blood sacrifice.• Each depended upon the wisdom of the priesthood in divination.• Each held concepts of clean and unclean forms of life.• Magi were priestly caste during Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanian periods.

Political Background

• Since the days of Daniel the fortunes of both the Persia and the Jewish nation had been closely intertwined.• Both nations had in their turn falling under Seleucid domination in the wake of Alexander’s conquests.• Both had regained their independence: - the Jews under Maccabean leadership - the Persians as the dominating ruling group within the Parthian empire.• It was at this time that the Magi in their dual priestly and governmental offices composed the upper house of the council of the Magistrates whose duties included the absolute choice and election of the king of the realm

Magistrates

• It was in a dual capacity of priest and counselor whereby civil and political counsel was invested with religious authority• thus, the Magi became the supreme priestly caste of the empire.

The Inscription of Bisitun

• Darius I (The Great) (522-486 BC) • Three languages - Elamite - Akkadian / Babylonian - Old Persian / Aramaic• Speaks of his speady and final triumph over a revolt of Magi in 522 BC

Matthew 2:1

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,

Family Tree of Herod

Micah 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Matthew 2:2

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.

Numbers 24:17

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

1st Questions

• The 1st question of the New Testament: “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?”

• The 1st question of the Old Testament: God called to Adam “Where art thou?”

• The first question in the Old Testament deals with the first Adam;• The first question in the New Testament deals with the last Adam.

Matthew 2:3

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 2:4

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 2:5

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Matthew 2:6

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 Israel.

Micah 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Matthew 2:7

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

Matthew 2:8

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.

Matthew 2:9

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Matthew 2:10

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

“Star” of Bethlehem ?

Balaam’s prophecy? - not quoted by Matthew: Numbers 24:17 - Conjunctions? Isaiah 60:3 Kepler suggested the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces in 7 BC from an erroneous inference from

Josephus. (wrong date: 2BC -4BC)

Not a natural phenomenon: it settled over a specific location

Shekhinah ?

• The Creation Gen 1• The Abrahamic Covenant Gen 15• Burning Bush Ex 3• Pillar of fire by night Ex 13• Flames at Pentecost Acts 2• Why not here? Matt 19

Matthew 2:11

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.

Gifts

• Not necessarily all gifts are mentioned. These mentioned because they are prophetic: - Gold = deity - Frankincense = priesthood (mixed into the shewbread by the priests) - Myrrh = when crushed, an ointment for burial• Prophet; Priest; and King

Isaiah 60:6

The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the LORD.

Matthew 2:12

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Matthew 2:13

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 2:14

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

Matthew 2:15

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Hosea 11:1

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Journeys of Jesus’ Birth

Matthew 2:16

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 inquired of the wise men.

Matthew 2:17

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

Matthew 2:18

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Jeremiah 31:15

Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

Matthew 2:19

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Matthew 2:20

Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

Matthew 2:21

And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Matthew 2:22

But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

Matthew 2:23

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.

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.

End of Matthew Chapter 2