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King of the Jews

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.

They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

2:1 Now When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea The name Bethlehem means – “House of Bread.” Jesus certainly was and is the bread of life. Bethlehem was the ancestral home of David. In contrast to Luke 2: 1-7 where there is only a brief mention of Jesus’ birth. Matthew gives far more details of the birth. Matthew speaks of Magi while Luke speaks of shepherds. The Magi were gentiles. The Shepherds were social outcasts.

The name Bethlehem means – “House of Bread.”

Jesus certainly was and is the bread of life.

Bethlehem was the ancestral home of David.

In contrast to Luke 2: 1-7 where there is only a brief mention of Jesus’ birth.

Matthew gives far more details of the birth.

Matthew speaks of Magi while Luke speaks of shepherds.

The Magi were gentiles.

The Shepherds were social outcasts.

2: 1-2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? “ King of the Jews,” was the official title of Herod the Great, the Magi’s question would have been interpreted as referring to a rival of Herod Antipas. A person using that title would have posed a danger to Herod. “ King of the Jews” was also the title, that was attached to the cross as the charge on which Jesus was crucified (Mt. 27: 11 , 29 , 37 ).

“ King of the Jews,” was the official title of Herod the Great, the Magi’s question would have been interpreted as referring to a rival of Herod Antipas.

A person using that title would have posed a danger to Herod.

“ King of the Jews” was also the title, that was attached to the cross as the charge on which Jesus was crucified (Mt. 27: 11 , 29 , 37 ).

2: 3-6 When Herod the King Heard Herod was not the rightful heir to the throne of David; therefore, many Jews hated him because he was not entitled to the throne. If Jesus really was an heir, trouble would arise. Herod was ruthless, and because of his many enemies, he was suspicious that someone would try to overthrow him. Herod didn’t want the Jews, a religious people, to unite around a religious figure.

Herod was not the rightful heir to the throne of David; therefore, many Jews hated him because he was not entitled to the throne.

If Jesus really was an heir, trouble would arise.

Herod was ruthless, and because of his many enemies, he was suspicious that someone would try to overthrow him.

Herod didn’t want the Jews, a religious people, to unite around a religious figure.

Lose Control If these astrologers were of Jewish descent and from Parthia (the most powerful region next to Rome), they would have welcomed a Jewish king who could swing the balance of power away from Rome. The land of Israel, far from Rome, would have been easy prey for a nation trying to gain more control.

If these astrologers were of Jewish descent and from Parthia (the most powerful region next to Rome),

they would have welcomed a Jewish king who could swing the balance of power away from Rome.

The land of Israel, far from Rome, would have been easy prey for a nation trying to gain more control.

The Threat The leading priests and teachers of religious law were aware of Micah 5:2 and other prophecies about the Messiah. The astrologers’ news troubled Herod because he knew that the Jewish people expected the Messiah to come soon (Luke 3:15). Most Jews expected the Messiah to be a great military and political leader, like Alexander the Great.

The leading priests and teachers of religious law were aware of Micah 5:2 and other prophecies about the Messiah.

The astrologers’ news troubled Herod because he knew that the Jewish people expected the Messiah to come soon (Luke 3:15).

Most Jews expected the Messiah to be a great military and political leader, like Alexander the Great.

2: 7-8 Herod’s Plot Herod did not want to worship Christ—he was lying. This was a trick to get the astrologers to return to him and reveal the whereabouts of the newborn king. Herod’s plan was to kill Jesus. Most religious leaders believed in a literal fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies. They believed the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Ironically, when Jesus was born, these same religious leaders became his greatest enemies. When the long expected Messiah finally came, they didn’t recognize him.

Herod did not want to worship Christ—he was lying.

This was a trick to get the astrologers to return to him and reveal the whereabouts of the newborn king.

Herod’s plan was to kill Jesus.

Most religious leaders believed in a literal fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies.

They believed the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

Ironically, when Jesus was born, these same religious leaders became his greatest enemies.

When the long expected Messiah finally came, they didn’t recognize him.

The House vs. Manger Contradiction? Mt 2: 11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. Lk 2: 7 She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger In ancient times people kept animals in a certain portion of their homes. For some this was a lower level of a 2 story home. For others it was a portion of the home set apart for animals. Whether, in a manger or house the fact remains, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

Mt 2: 11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.

Lk 2: 7 She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger

In ancient times people kept animals in a

certain portion of their homes.

For some this was a lower level of a 2 story home.

For others it was a portion of the home set apart for animals.

Whether, in a manger or house the fact remains, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

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