What does Matthew 2:4 Mean?

Study Notes

Scribes
(Greek - " ἀπόλλυμι " = "writer") Heb. "spherim," "to write," "set in order," "count." The scribes were so called because it was their office to make copies of the Scriptures; to classify and teach the precepts of oral law and to keep careful count of every letter in the O.T. writings. Such an office was necessary in a religion of law and precept, and was an O.T. function 2 Samuel 8:17 ; 2 Samuel 20:25 ; 1 Kings 4:3 ; Jeremiah 8:8 ; Jeremiah 36:10 ; Jeremiah 36:12 ; Jeremiah 36:26 . To this legitimate work the scribes added a record of rabbinical decisions on questions of ritual (Halachoth); the new code resulting from those decisions (Mishna); the Hebrew sacred legends (Gemara, forming with the Mishna the Talmud); commentaries on the O.T. (Midrashim); reasonings upon these (Hagada); and finally, mystical interpretations which found in Scripture meanings other than the grammatical, lexical, and obvious ones (the Kabbala); not unlike the allegorical method of Origen, or the modern Protestant "spiritualizing" interpretation. In our Lord's time, to receive this mass of writing superposed upon the Scriptures was to be orthodox; to return to the Scriptures themselves was heterodoxy--our Lord's most serious offence.

Sadducees

Not strictly a sect, but rather those amongst the Jews who denied the existence of angels or other spirits, and all miracles, especially the resurrection. They were the religious rationalists of the time Mark 12:18-23 ; Acts 5:15-17 ; Acts 23:8 and strongly entrenched in the Sanhedrin and priesthood; Acts 4:1 ; Acts 5:17 . They are identified with no affirmative doctrine, but were mere deniers of the supernatural.

Pharisees

So called from a Heb. word meaning "separate." After the ministry of the post-exilic prophets ceased, godly men called "Chasidim" (saints) arose who sought to keep alive reverence for the law amongst the descendants of the Jews who returned from the Babylonian captivity. This movement degenerated into the Pharisaism of our Lord's day-- a letter-strictness which overlaid the law with traditional interpretations held to have been communicated by Jehovah to Moses as oral explanations of equal authority with the law itself. (cf. Matthew 15:2 ; Matthew 15:3 ; Mark 7:8-13 ; Galatians 1:14 ).

The Pharisees were strictly a sect. A member was "chaber" (i.e. "knit together,") Judges 20:11 and took an obligation to remain true to the principles of Pharisaism. They were correct, moral, zealous, and self-denying, but self-righteous Luke 18:9 and destitute of the sense of sin and need Luke 7:39 . They were the foremost prosecutors of Jesus Christ and the objects of His unsparing denunciation (e.g.); Matthew 23:13-29 ; Luke 11:42 ; Luke 11:43

Sadducees

Not strictly a sect, but rather those amongst the Jews who denied the existence of angels or other spirits, and all miracles, especially the resurrection. They were the religious rationalists of the time Mark 12:18-23 ; Acts 5:15-17 ; Acts 23:8 and strongly entrenched in the Sanhedrin and priesthood; Acts 4:1 ; Acts 5:17 . They are identified with no affirmative doctrine, but were mere deniers of the supernatural.

Context Summary

The expectation of the advent of a great king was far-spread at the time of the Nativity. It was probably founded, so far as the East was concerned, on the prophecies of Balaam and Daniel. See Numbers 24:17; Daniel 7:13-14. There are evidences of the same expectation in the classic literature of the West. Our Lord was the desire of all nations; and the corruption and anarchy of the Roman Empire made the longing still more intense.

God comes to men in the spheres with which they are most familiar; to Zacharias in the Temple, to the shepherds in the fields, to the Wise-Men by a portent in the heavens. He knows just where to find us. "Lift the stone, and I am there." Be sure to follow your star, whatever it be; only remember that it must ultimately receive the corroboration of Scripture, as in the present case, Matthew 2:5. A miracle may be wrought to awaken and start us on our great quest, but the miraculous is withdrawn where the ordinary methods of inquiry will serve. The news of Jesus always disquiets the children of the world; they know that it means division. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 2

¹  The wise men from the east enquire after Jesus;
³  at which Herod is alarmed
⁹  They are directed by a star to Bethlehem, worship him, and offer their presents
¹³  Joseph flees into Egypt with Jesus and his mother
¹⁶  Herod slays the children;
²⁰  himself dies
²³  Jesus is brought back again into Galilee to Nazareth