A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Matthew · Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
1. NOw when Jeſus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the King, behold there came wiſe men from the eaſt to Jeruſalem; 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.
1, 2. Some time after Chriſt's birth, Aſtronomers of great note came from the Eaſt-country (Chaldea or Arabia) ſaying, We have ſeen an extraordinary Star, which ſignifieth the birth of the King of the Jews, the Meſſiah whom they expected, and are come to do our homage and honour to him.
3, 4. When Herod the King had heard theſe things he was troubled, and all Jeru…alem with him: And when he had gathered all the chief Prieſts and Scribes of the people together, he demanded of them, where Chriſt ſhould be born.
3, 4. Note, 1. When Chriſt cometh to ſave men, it caſts the world into diſturbance. 2. The firſt that was troubled and roſe up againſt Chriſt, was the King, becauſe his croſs intereſt was greateſt. 3. All Jeruſalem is troubled with the King.
5. And they ſaid unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the Prophet; And thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah art not the leaſt among the Princes of Judah; for out of thee ſhall come a Governour that ſhall rule my people Iſrael.
5, 6. Note, Bethlehem was the City of David's birth and of Chriſt's: The Prophecy is in Mic. 5.2. a clear Propheſie of Chriſt, but thou Bethlehem, Ephratah, tho thou be little among the thouſands of Judah, (Thouſands had their proper rulers) 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 the days of Eternity.
7. Then Herod when he had privily called the wiſe men, enquired of them diligently what time the Star appeared. 8. And he ſent them to Bethlehem, and ſaid, Go and ſeek diligently for the young child, and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worſhip him alſo.
7, 8. N. His malice contrived to have made uſe of the wiſe men to further his cruelty, cloaking it with hypocriſie.
9. When they heard the King, they departed, and …o, the Star which they ſaw in the Eaſt, went before them till it came and ſtood over where the young child was.
9. Note, How this differed from other Stars, and how it moved and directed them, is not to be clearly apprehended by us at this diſtance of time and place, who ſaw it not.
10. When they ſaw the Star, they rejoyced with exceeding great joy.
10. They greatly rejoyced that God thus renewed their direction. N. Some ancient Fathers thought that this Star was an Angel; He maketh his Angels Spirits, and his Miniſters a flame of fire.
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 to him gifts, gold and frankincenſe, and myrrhe. 12. And being warned of God in a dream, that they ſhould not return to Herod, they departed into their own countrey another way.
11, 12. They did their homage as ſent by God: And then God defeated the malice of Herod.
13. And when they were departed, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joſeph in a dream, ſaying, Ariſe, and take the young child and flee into Egypt, and be thou there till I bring thee word, for Herod will ſeek the young child to deſtroy him. 14. And when he aroſe, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.
13, 14. N. God could have cut off Herod, or ſecured Chriſt by other ways or miracles: But to ſhew that he will not make miracles ordinary, but work by uſual means, Chriſt muſt fly into Egypt, a land of Heathen Enemies, to be ſaved from the King and People of Iſrael; ſuch flight was not unlawful.
15. And was there till the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled that was ſpoken of the Lord by the Prophet, ſaying, Out of Egypt have I called my Son.
15. Note, Whether the Prophet Hoſ. 11.1. underſtood this of any more than Iſraels firſt deliverance from Egypt, the Holy Ghoſt looked further and meant more, even the caſe of Chriſt.
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 all the coaſts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wiſe men.
16. Note, Intereſt and malignity conjoyned, made this King ſtick at no inhumane bloudy cruelty: Innocency was no defence againſt him.
17. Then was fulfilled that which was ſpoken by Jeremy the Prophet, ſaying, 18. In Ramah 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.
17, 18. Tho it was another caſe that the Prophet meant, God's Spirit might look to this: Or the words may ſignifie, [This caſe was much like to that mentioned, Jer. 31, 15. and ſo ſpeak but an alluſion.
19. But when Herod was dead, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joſeph in Egypt; 20. ſaying, Ariſe and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Iſrael, for they are dead who ſought the young childs life. 21. And he aroſe, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Iſrael. 22. but when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea 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. 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.
19, &c. Note, 1. Still Chriſt is preſerved by avoiding mens rage. 2. The Jews called Chriſt a Nazarite, from that place of his dwelling; but he was truly Netſer the branch and a Nazarene devoted to abſolute purity, of Whom Sampſon's Order was a Type, deſcribed alſo Numb. 6. Lam. 4.7. Amos 2.11, 12. This ſeemeth the ſence, by alluſion.