Matthew 2:1–6
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
Focused Thinking:
What is the significance of Jesus being born in Bethlehem of Judea?
Are there prophecies about Bethlehem?
What do the cross references reveal?
Micah 5:2
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.
What does scripture or history tell us about King Herod?
Matthew 2:16–18 / Jeremiah 31:15
16Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the
male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which
he had determined from the magi. 17Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
18“A voice was heard in Ramah,
Weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
And she refused to be comforted,
Because they were no more.”
History about King Herod
Jesus’ title, “King of the Jews,” raised suspicion because Herod feared anyone who threatened his throne. He was a ruthless monster who even killed his own children to protect his throne. He had nine (or ten) wives and was known for his treachery and lust. An Edomite, he had a natural hatred for the Jews. Herod was the appointed King of the Jews by Rome; he wasn’t a Jew appointed by Jews to lead the Jews.
Who are the Magi that arrive from the East?
The Magi were Oriental astrologers who studied the stars and sought to understand the times. They were Gentiles who came to pay homage to the newborn King. Some scholars think there may be a reference to the miraculous star in Balaam’s prophecy in Num 24:17. Many believe the significance of the Magi is the inclusion of the Gentiles in the worship of the King (Isa 60:6).
What did the Magi ask?
Matt 2:2
Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.
I don’t think we know much more about their history, but this is a fascinating part of the story.
- What causes Gentiles to look for the King of the Jews?
- What did these Gentiles know and understand about this promised King?
- What gave them the confidence that they would be welcomed?
- What did they expect to see when they found the King of the Jews?
- Were they surprised by the humble means of the King?
What revelation did they have to travel with such confidence and purpose?
How far did they travel?
They came prepared to honor and worship the King?
What was King Herod response to the arrival of the Magi?
Matt 2:3–6
3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4Gathering together all the chief
priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They said to him, “In
Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
He was troubled.
Why was he troubled?
He was the appointed King of the Jews.
He wasn’t the born King of the Jews.
Why was all of Jerusalem troubled with him?
Were they troubled because they feared King Herod?
What did King Herod do?
He gathered together all the chief priests and scribes of the people.
He gathered together all of the Jewish experts.
He asked the Jewish experts what the scriptures say about this King.
He inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
What is the significance of the word “Messiah” here?
- How does this word “Messiah” clarify the importance of this King?
This isn’t just another King in a line of Kings; this is the King of Kings.
- This is the promised One.
- This is the awaited One.
- This is the anointed One.
Their understanding of the Messiah was the 2nd coming of Christ, not the 1st coming of Christ.
- They were expecting a political King and Ruler.
- They were expecting One who was going to reestablish the Israel.
- They were expecting One who was going to overthrow Rome.
What did the chief priests and scribes say to King Herod?
“In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:”
- This wasn’t an obscure fact; this was an obvious fact.
- This wasn’t a minor part of Jewish theology; this was the pinnacle of Jewish theology.
How would Jews answer this question today?
What questions were asked of Jews about the Messiah in the Bible?
What were their answers?
What was the source of their answers then?
What questions are asked of Jews today about the Messiah?
What are their answers today?
What is the scriptural source of their answers?
How have their answers changed?
6‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’
A Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.
- He is a Ruler who shepherds.
- He is full of grace and truth.
- HE is the perfect balance.
Personal Application:
Am I looking for the 2nd coming the way they were looking for the 1st coming?
I need to become a scholar on the 2nd coming.
I need the theology of the future to shape the present.
I need to be able to read current events in light of Scripture.
Interactive Prayer:
Father, help me today. I’m feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Father, use Your Word to increase my faith. I feel so inadequate in so many ways to truly build a church that is the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Father, increase my faith. The standard for success must be so much higher than it currently is.
I’m praying for 200 people to be baptized this year, yet in the big picture that seems so small. Father, according to Your ability that seems so small. Father, according to history that seems so small. Father, according to what You are doing on the mission field that seems so small. Father, according to what You are doing in our churches that seems so small. Father, according to what You did in biblical times that seems so small. Father, forgive me for my lack of faith. Father, increase my faith. I can’t handle only seeing glimpses of You and Your power when there are so many who are lost and running as fast as they can toward hell. I can’t handle all the problems and pain among believers. I can’t handle all the sin among believers.
Father, what does it look like for us to be prophets today? That question scares me in many ways. It isn’t any fun being a prophet. I don’t like being a bearer of bad news, but I don’t think people can understand the good news apart from the bad news. Father, give me the faith and courage to be a prophet. Father, give a walk that is strong enough to hear You and to say what You want said. Father, I must be able to trust Your voice and to have absolute confidence that I am speaking what You want spoken. Father, the last thing I want to be is a false prophet. Truth to be told, I don’t even want to be a true prophet, but yet, I believe this world needs to be warned. Has a revival ever happened without prophets? Has a revival ever happened without godly sorrow? Where does godly sorrow come from? It must come from preaching and teaching that rebukes, reproves and exhorts with patience and instruction.
Father, speak to me. Show me what this looks like. Show me how to be a pastor who is full grace and truth. Show me how to be a pastor that models compassion without compromise. Father, give me the ability to say what You want said the way You want it said. Father, anoint me for Your glory. Give me the ability to focus my eyes on You as the author and perfecter of my faith. Help us not get distracted, but rather to hear from You and follow the promptings of Your Holy Spirit. Father, make us a people of Your Word and of prayer. Father, cause Your Holy Spirit to blow through our church, through our city, through our country and around the world.
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