Discuss Matthew 2 Page 2

is there any deeper meaning in chapter two?

Dear, "Janice E Hammons", in peace, it is always good for a woman not to "show up", if she does not have a man with her then of course. Man and woman are God's image of humanity. But you probably know that. Remember what Jesus says I send you out: Matthew 10:16. Our dear brother Paul had good thoughts about this. U can go in the search box here on the web and find all the answers you want, i can give you a word who says in 1 Peter 3:7. Clothes mean nothing but decency for God's Glory means everything.

We are all alike when we put on the garment of Jesus, which is in the gifts of the Spirit. 1 Corontihans 13

God bless u and yours in Jesus Name, love u in Christ always.

That sounds like the old Pentecostal Churches. Some are very strict on dress and makeup. It doesn't make one more spiritual. It's very strict.

That's all I can say.

Hi Janice. 1 Timothy 2:9,10 would be the Scripture that comes closest to what you're looking for. Though the gist of that description I feel, is not to set rigid standards or to not cross a certain line, rather that the believing woman should not be outwardly ostentatious, but revealing her modest demeanor & the beauty of the heart (see also 1 Peter 3:1-4).

Where does it say women has to wear long dresses and no jewelry or make up or cut their hair?

Thank you.

God bless

Thankyou very much for the reply. It is a great help.

God bless

Thank You Jesse,

Your explanation is very helpful to me.

Hey Jesse,

Good information: truth shines from the word of God. As you said the leaders of Jerusalem should have known. I believe they did know, in Matthew 2:3-6, that Jerusalem (chief priests and scribes) was also troubled. They knew the time, but God did to them what He did to Pharoah, He blinded and hardened their hearts, John 12:40. To me this kind of ties into the things S Spencer has been sharing.

There are other scriptures they were probably aware of, like Jeremiah 50:6 and Ezekiel 34 where God told Ezekiel to prophesy against the shepherds, (the leaders) and what God would do, Ezekiel 34:10.

So, they were troubled to hear Jesus was born. They did not even send anyone to Bethlehem to see. You would think they would have been jumping for joy, but they did not want to give up the power, wealth, and Moses's seat they had. Jesus the true Shepherd John 10:11 first came only for the lost sheep of Israel, Matthew 15:24, fulfilling and confirming the covenant Hebrews 13:20. Jesus also told the scribes and the Pharisees their house is left to them desolate, and He will return Matthew 23:36-39.

Their duty as shepherds was over in that generation, 70 AD, and the sheep shall be gathered again, Isaiah 11:12 Ezekiel 37:21-22 Jeremiah 23:3 and more.

God bless,

RLW

They were actually a cast of Persian priests who were involved both as priests, as well as in the science field. They carried both aspects about them because they were involved in astrology and astronomy. In their priesthood in Persia, they relied on the stars, they relied on magic, and they relied on sorcery to gain their messages and to perform their function. They believed that when a great person was born upon the face of the earth that a cataclysmic event would happen in the stars which is kind of interesting.

Why would the event cause them to come to Jerusalem? Well, in the Mesopotamian area, back in the days of Balaam, in Numbers Chapter 24 Verse 17, Balaam prophesied and said a star would come out of Jerusalem. This was the same area that these priests came from. They had Balaam's prophesies.

That was also the area in which Daniel was at, and they had his prophesies as well. And so these casts of priests knew that the Jews were looking for and waiting for the Messiah to come. This means that they, The Magi, they knew from the end of Daniel Chapter 9 Verses 24 to 27 about the 70 weeks of Daniel.

And they would count out the days and those weeks added up to 173,880 days from the time the decree was made for the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem till the time of the coming priest, 173,880 days.

That's why Jesus in the gospel of Luke, He is weeps over Jerusalem and He says, "And if you knew this your day of visitation, you would have received me." He was making reference to Daniel's prophecy, because on the very day, 173,880 days after the decree was made to rebuild Jerusalem, Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.

The Jews should have known that to the exact day. But they didn't. And they rejected their Messiah. But the Magi knew. They knew that another great man was about to arrive on the scene and that if there was an event in the heavens, then this was probably the birth of the Messiah.

Dear Bobby

We don't know that but it is obvious they had some writings or oral instructions by God(?) about that. Definitely not used astrology, that is fake science. Not astronomy either which is real science. The star had to be down near the ground to show the house where Jesus was. If it was up the sky like normal stars it couldn't show a specific point on earth. It was not a usual star.

GBU

You can Google the star of Bethlehem and get the astronomy on that; approximate time in history, etc.

I believe the Wise Men were astrologers, mathematicians. Observers of the Times. Quite possibly Chaldean in nature. They had a purpose to fulfill in Gods plan. Each gift had a meaning. Mary and Joseph could use the gold to live on, in Egypt until King Herod died, in Israel.

It's very interesting to study the ways God provides for His purposes. For us too.

I have a question. How did the wise men know the star in the east was in reference to the savior? Was there prophecies or some references in the old testament or ancient manuscripts that gave insight to this?

I believe you're looking for Revelation 12, I gave additional Scripture in your question on same subject.

I wanted to add: Jude 1, entire chapter & compare Revelation 12 to Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 2:7-23, John 19:30, 1Corinthians 15:20, John 21:14, Luke 22:69, Mark 16:19, Acts 5:31,

Hopefully these are helpful also

I believe it was to clearly point out the fulfillment of Prophecy. Please see:

Son of David prophecy : 1Kings 9:5, Jeremiah 33:17, 2Chronicles 7:18, Psalms 132:11,

The coming promise of deliverance : Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 33:15, proclaimed: Matthew 22:24,43,44,45, Matthew 1:1,

Luke 18:38, some identified JESUS as by different names for significance to themselves, healer, deliverer

Son of GOD : Genesis 6:2,4, Daniel 3:25, Matthew 8:29, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 27:54, Mark 1:1, Luke 1:35, Romans 8:14, Matthew 11:27,

Son of Man : prophecy : Daniel 7:13-14, Revelation 1, Genesis 3:15, Ezekiel 30:1-4, Job 25:4-6, Job 35:8-16, Matthew 24:30, proclaimed : Mark 14:21, John 12, Matthew 11:19,

Additionally he was called the BRANCH : Job 14:7, Psalms 80:15, Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 14:19, Jeremiah 23:5, Zechariah 3:8, Zechariah 6:12, proclamed: John 15,

Also "shall be called Nazarene " Matthew 2:23,

Hopefully this is helpful

Yes Barbara, Jesus, as a little child, did live in Egypt for a time. You can read the account of Joseph, Mary, & child Jesus fleeing into Egypt in Matthew 2:13-15.

Hello Steven. To first state, a Nazarite & a Nazarene are two different words & meanings, as some folk mix up. Jesus was said to be a Nazarene ( Matthew 2:23) since His 'parents' returned back to Israel from Egypt & dwelt in the city of Nazareth.

But the term 'Nazarite', denoted those of Israel who took on a special vow as prescribed in Numbers 6:2-21. The word means generally a person who is separated from others and consecrated to God. The vow of a Nazarite involved three things: abstinence from wine and strong drink, refraining from cutting the hair off the head during the whole period of the vow, & the avoidance of contact with a dead body.

When the duration of the vow came to an end, the Nazarite had to present himself at the door of the sanctuary with a "he lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering", "a ewe lamb of the first year for a sin-offering, & "a ram for a peace-offering" (all blemish-free). After these sacrifices were offered by the priest, the Nazarite cut off his hair at the door and threw it into the fire which was under the peace-offerings. In the New Testament, we see the Apostle Paul being under this Nazarite vow ( Acts 18:18) & then again in Acts 21:23-26. This last one was done because of a matter with the Jews under the vow, but it was clearly stated that this Nazarite vow, or any Jewish custom, was not required of Gentiles.

Hello Steven. You can read the account that led to Joseph taking his family to Egypt, in Matthew 2:1-16.

Yes, Matthew 2:2, Luke 23:51, John 4:22, John 8:31, John 11:45, Acts 14:1, Acts 17:1-4, Acts 21:20, Acts 22:12, Paul himself was,is Acts 26:4, Revelation 7:5,

John 3:15-21, Matthew 25:31-46,

Genesis 37:5-11, Genesis 40:5-22, Genesis 41, Deuteronomy 13:1-4, Job 7:14, Jeremiah 29:8, sometimes dreams come because of movies we watched, "you caused to be dreamed" Ecclesiastes 5:3,

Genesis 20:3, Numbers 12:6, Jeremiah 23:28, Matthew 1:20, Matthew 2:12,13,19,22, Books of Daniel 2, 4, 7, Matthew 27:19,

Acts 2:17

Hopefully these are helpful

Not sure who had answered & given scripture, but hopefully I can help.

Matthew 8,

Matthew 8:4, 1st "Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man;" why._._ Mark 5:24, Mark 3:7-10, John 6:15, John 7:3-8, John 6:2,26, John 12:37,

2nd part of Matthew 8:4, gift to the priests Moses commanded, Leviticus 13,

3rd part of Matthew 8:4 for a testimony to them, prophecy fulfilling, Isaiah 53, Psalms 22, Job 14:7, Isaiah 11:1, Zechariah 3:8-9, Jeremiah 33:15, John 15:4,

Matthew 8:11-12 = Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 2:2, Matthew 27:11, Romans 1:6,

Matthew 8:17, Isaiah 53,

Matthew 8:22, Luke 20:38,

Matthew 8:24-27, Luke 8:22-25,

Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:27-39,

Hopefully these are helpful

Matthew 18:2-14, Mark 9:36-37, Mark 10:13-15,

KJV definition of child: Exodus 21:22, starts in womb, 1Kings 3:7-10, Matthew 2:1, Psalms 131:2, Ecclesiastes 4:13, Hosea 11:1,

A child has to trust for every provision

Hopefully these are helpful

Hello Keron. The Bible tells us that "the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch" ( Acts 11:26). I think that the word 'disciples' probably refers to all those who subscribed to the teachings of Jesus & followed Him & not just the twelve. And that is essentially what 'Christian' means: a Christ follower. At that time, it was used more as a derogatory word & probably spoken with disdain against those 'sectarians' who turned their backs to Judaism, embracing this Person called 'the Christ'.

Other terms were also applied to these new 'sectarians', such as Nazarenes & those of The Way. Probably taken from the One they considered their Teacher/Rabbi, of his origin & proclamation ( Matthew 2:23; John 14:6).

And then we see that the word 'Christian' came more into vogue, as King Agrippa himself used the word ( Acts 26:28) & Peter referring to those who suffer as a Christian, as opposed to those suffering for any wrongdoing or even a false accusation, whether Christian or not ( 1 Peter 4:16).

Hi Kristina. I took up the four Gospels here as I could relate to that rather than attempt to enter into the other comments on Proverbs 3:18.

You mentioned that you are bothered by people taking the Translations too literally & that by doing so, we're imposing our wills upon people. Actually, we do have to take the Bible literally (where the text demands a literal view), or else we can make it mean anything we want to. In regards to Bethlehem, in Matthew 2:1, "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea" & then confirmed in v5, "In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet..."

In these verses, it is confirmed that the Bethlehem spoken of is in Judea. Therefore, it couldn't be Nazareth or near it, which is in Galilee. Now if the problem is that an archaeologist has stated that this reference to Bethlehem is simply one of convenience so as to fulfil prophecy, then he has to come up with some very good evidence why his belief is correct. So if a preacher, even one from the C of C preaches about Bethlehem being in Judea, I have the Scriptures to verify that, unlike anyone else that wants to tell me otherwise, who gives no substantial proof. I don't see that the preacher is forcing anything upon anyone - we all have the Scriptures & we can search them to verify the message. A preacher will soon be found out if his messages are inconsistent with the Bible.

There is limited value in studying those apocryphal books you mentioned, even the Quran (which I've studied as part of ministry). Unless one has the fully trustworthy Scriptures to compare to, we might be inclined to believe anything we want, & we will never know how far we have detoured from the Truth. Some believe that all religions lead to God or if one has 'faith', then that is all that is required. Unfortunately, those roads lead to destruction of the soul, & have no part in God's Message of Love shown in the sacrifice of His Son. The road is narrow - much narrower than what we would like to believe.

Jocelynne Bell,

Only the Father knows the day Jesus will return, Mark 13:32, we are told to watch Matthew 25:13. How do we know Jesus died in the first place, we look back, God said 100s of years before it would happen. Isaiah 7:14 Scripture points to how he will be born, and also to one of the names given to Christ: Immanuel, Matthew 1:23. Micah 5:2 This scripture tells where He will be born and from what tribe, which was Judah, Matthew 2:5 Luke 2:4.

Psalm 22:7-8 This scripture tells how they will ridicule Him, Matthew 27:40-43. Psalm 22:16-18 the same refers to the actual crucifixion of Christ, Matthew 27:35,39,41,49. Isaiah 53:5 tells they will pierce Him for our transgressions, and by his wounds, we are healed, John 19:34.

I could list more scripture that was written 100s of years before that is clear that it was Jesus our savior that was told of before and what would happen to Him, and we can be sure He will return the same way as He ascended Acts 1:10-11 Revelation 1:7

God bless and have faith; If prophecy told it would happen 100s of years before and it happened have no doubt it is true. He is coming back and will set the kingdom upon the earth.

RLW

Earl,

I believe it was a physical star, not just a vision given to the Magi. As you properly indicate, Herod would not have seen this star as indicated in Matthew 2:7. This star never appeared to Herod. I believe this star only appeared to a certain group of individuals (Magi?), and the reason I come to this conclusion is from Matthew 2:7 where Herod asks "what time the star appeared," in the Greek text it literally reads "What time of the appearing star."

You might think it's being too technical to be literal, but that's literally how the Greek text reads. It was the appearing and the disappearing star. It is a word that describes what kind of star it was. So literally, in the Greek text, he says "What time of the appearing star?"

I just thought I would share this piece of information with you. I'm not trying to bounce back and forth playing dancing with the stars!

Earl,

No offence, but I don't believe you have your stars "lined up" properly. The star that the Magi followed in Matthew Chapter 2 which led them to the Christ child was not Christ. In Matthew 2:2, these Magi called it "his star." This star was not Christ Himself, but it was his star. It was not a star that was already in the heavens that used to kind of move around a little bit to get some people's attention. It was a special star that was an indication to the Magi. It was "His star." It was Jesus' star.

The star came and stood over Bethlehem and they (The Magi) actually followed the star. It was a guiding star and when it stopped over Bethlehem, they knew that that was the place where the Christ child was. They had no other way of finding their way other than to follow the star. Christ was already approximately a year old and living in a house by the time the Magi arrived in Bethlehem. I know we are getting close to Christmas and I hope I do not cause anyone to return their manger scene back to Walmart by what I'm about to say, but Jesus was not a baby lying in a manger when the wise men arrived, and it wasn't just three wise men either.

You did mention Revelation 22:16. I believe that is referring to Christ but I just don't see how you are connecting that to the star mentioned in Matthew Chapter 2? The bright and morning star is completely different than the star that led the Magi to Christ.

Tonight I just read Luke 23:44-45 again & for the first time. I realized after seeing the total solar Eclipse on-line very recently. The moment on the cross must have been recorded as total solar eclipse. Lasting 3 hours. There may be a way to more accurately date back the timing that secular history tried destroying, hiding. Anyway very exciting. Hopefully this helps in your search. Also with the Star, Matthew 2:2,7-10 very active heavenly activity must have been recorded also. Just for thought.

Hi Phyllis.

Google Dr. J. Vernon McGee :: Death of a Little Child.

I Pray this Helps.

God bless you.

These scriptures are not as well known as Psalm 23; but they offer assurance that you will see your loved ones again. Hold fast to Jesus. Follow Him.

Proverbs 2:8

He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

Psalms 116:15

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Jude 1:24-25

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and EVER. Amen.

2 Timothy 1:12

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know WHOM I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able TO KEEP that which I have committed unto him [the soul] against That day. [the day of death]

Pencil these in a bare page in your Bible.