St Matthew Chapter II : Verses 1-12
Contents
⮚Matt. ii. 1-12 Douay-Rheims text & Latin text (Vulgate)
⮚Notes on text
Matt. ii. 1-12
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| ...there came wise men from the east. J-J Tissot. Brooklyn Museum. |
Cum ergo natus esset Jesus in Bethlehem Juda in diebus Herodis regis, ecce magi ab oriente venerunt Jerosolymam,
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 adore him.
dicentes : Ubi est qui natus est rex Judæorum? vidimus enim stellam ejus in oriente, et venimus adorare eum.
3 And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Audiens autem Herodes rex, turbatus est, et omnis Jerosolyma cum illo.
4 And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born.
Et congregans omnes principes sacerdotum, et scribas populi, sciscitabatur ab eis ubi Christus nasceretur.
5 But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:
At illi dixerunt : In Bethlehem Judae : sic enim scriptum est per prophetam :
6 And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.
Et tu Bethlehem terra Juda, nequaquam minima es in principibus Juda : ex te enim exiet dux, qui regat populum meum Israel.
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| Herod, privately calling the wise men. J-J Tissot. Brooklyn Museum. |
Tunc Herodes clam vocatis magis diligenter didicit ab eis tempus stellae, quae apparuit eis :
8 And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come to adore him.
et mittens illos in Bethlehem, dixit : Ite, et interrogate diligenter de puero : et cum inveneritis, renuntiate mihi, ut et ego veniens adorem eum.
9 Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was.
Qui cum audissent regem, abierunt, et ecce stella, quam viderant in oriente, antecedebat eos, usque dum veniens staret supra, ubi erat puer.
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| ....falling down they adored him J-J Tissot. Brooklyn Museum. |
Videntes autem stellam gavisi sunt gaudio magno valde.
11 And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Et intrantes domum, invenerunt puerum cum Maria matre ejus, et procidentes adoraverunt eum : et apertis thesauris suis obtulerunt ei munera, aurum, thus, et myrrham.
12 And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.
Et responso accepto in somnis ne redirent ad Herodem, per aliam viam reversi sunt in regionem suam.
Notes
1. When Jesus therefore was born. St Matthew gives no details concerning the arrival of Mary and Joseph at Bethlehem. He also passes over the apparition of the angels to the shepherds, and the visit of the latter to the grotto of the Nativity.
Note. — According to a tradition dating from the fourth century, and accepted by St Athanasius, St Jerome, St Ambrose, etc., Christ was born on 25th December. This date may have been chosen to represent mid-winter, or in order to substitute a Christian festival for the pagan Saturnalia, which was celebrated at the time of the winter solstice. The day of the week is unknown ; as regards the year, this cannot be fixed with absolute certainty ; it is probable that it was four years earlier than our present chronology would seem to justify our placing it, hence Christ was born about 760 A.U.C. (i.e. 4 B.C.).
in Bethlehem of Juda. This town was formerly called Bethlehem Ephrata (i.e. the fertile).
Cf. So Rachel died and was buried in the highway that leadeth to Ephrata, this is Bethlehem (Gen. xxxv. 19).
There was another Bethlehem near the Sea of Galilee, in the territory of the tribe of Zabiilon. The Greek MSS. give “ of Judea ” (τῆς Ἰουδαίας), but St Jerome considers this a copyist’s slip, and most of the Latin versions read “ of Juda.” Be that as it may, Judea includes within its confines the territory of Juda.
in the days of king Herod. A Hebrew idiom meaning “ during the reign” or “in the lifetime of” the king. In pursuance of his aim, St Matthew, in relating the birth of Christ, calls special attention to His birthplace, since that was the subject of a special prophecy, and also to the fact that the sceptre had departed from Juda. Cf. The sceptre shall not be taken away from Judah nor a ruler from his thigh, till he come that is to he sent, and he shall he the expectation of nations (Gen. xlix. 10).
Herod the Great, who massacred the holy innocents.Herod Antipas, his son, who beheaded St John the Baptist (xiv. 1), and mocked at our Lord (St Luke xxiii. 7-11).Herod Agrippa I., son of Aristobulus, and grandchild of Herod the Great. He had St James the Great executed, and himself died a terrible death (Acts xii. 4),Herod Agrippa II., son of David Agrippa I., St Paul was taken before his tribunal (Acts XXV.).
came wise men. The wise men or “ magi ” (μάγοι) were probably of the Persian or Chaldean priestly caste. These men were generally well versed in astronomy, medicine, and natural philosophy. The word “ magi ” had degenerated in the time of Christ, and had come to mean “ magicians,” but evidently St Matthew uses it in a good sense. According to an ancient tradition, the magi came from Persia or Chaldea. Christian tradition and art of the Western Church represent them as three in number. They are depicted attired in the vestments and head-dress of the Persian priests, who to this day are called “ Magh.”
As regards the time of their arrival, opinions differ. Some writers place it as late as two years after the birth of Christ, while others give the twelfth day after His birth. The more generally accepted date is about two months after the Nativity. The magi are honoured as saints by the Catholic Church. They are said to have been martyred, and their relics are honoured at Cologne.
2. Where is he that is born, etc. Lit. “ Where is the born King of the Jews ?” (Ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ τεχθεὶς βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων)
This question brings out two points : —
(a) The magi were evidently not Jews of the Dispersion.
(b) They believed firmly that Christ was already born.
(c) They acknowledged Him as the lawful heir to the throne of Israel and to the Messianic promises, if, as it seems probable, they had some dim knowledge of them.
Since Daniel had prophesied when in the East, and Balaam came from Aram from the mountains of the East (Numb, xxiii. 7), it is possible that their prophecies had spread among the Gentiles ; and the heathen writers, Suetonius (Vespas., c. iv.) and Tacitus (Hist., v. 13) assert that among the inhabitants of the East there was a general expectation that a people setting out from Judea were destined by the fates to acquire universal dominion.
we have seen his star. “ A star shall rise out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall spring up from Israel” (Numb.), xxiv. 17). St John Chrysostom observes, “ This star was not like other stars, for it was visible in the daytime ; and it led the wise men to Palestine, and then for a time it disappeared. It had, as it were, a rational power, and may be compared with the pillar of fire which led the Israelites in the wilderness, and, descending from its altitude, it marked the place where the young Child lay, and stood over His head . To what intent did the star appear? To reprove the Jews for their insensibility, and to cut off all excuse for their wilful ignorance ” (Hom., iv. passim).
Astronomers have calculated that in the years A.U.C. 747-748 (i.e. about the time of our Lord’s birth) there was a conjunction of three planets, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars, and some writers think this to have been the phenomenon which the magi saw; others assert that it was a comet or a meteor ; but no natural phenomena can account for the behaviour of the particular star which, according to St Matthew, appeared and disappeared, and stood so low in the heavens that it actually marked out the house which sheltered the Holy Family. This star must have moved in the lower strata of the atmosphere, and being thus divinely guided, it “ gave intelligence to those who saw it ” (St Leo). Though all the stars were created by Christ, this one was especially “ His,” since it announced His Nativity. It seems most probable that the magi alone were privileged to see the star, just as at first Eliseus alone saw the horses and chariots of fire around the mountains (4 Kings vi. 17). A star announced Christ’s birth, a supernatural darkness made known his death, and at the Second Advent the sun shall he darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be moved (St Matt. xxiv. 29).
3. king Herod hearing this. The magi made inquiries in Jerusalem, but Herod had “ spies set everywhere” (Jos., Ant., xv. 10. 4), so that the news of the arrival of the strangers would soon reach him.
was troubled. Herod trembled for the security of the throne, which he had endeavoured to strengthen by putting to death five members of the Royal family of the Machabeans, including his own wife Mariamne. As a foreigner and a usurper, he would naturally fear one, who by birth was the lawful heir to the kingdom.
all Jerusalem with him. The inhabitants of Jerusalem might well fear a renewal of the massacres, tumults, and seditions that had marked the reign of Herod. The massacre of the innocents shewed their fears to be well grounded. The more pious Jews would also fear for the welfare of the Child, should He be really born ; while the worldly and indifferent preferred things to remain as they were.
4. assembling together all, etc. Herod evidently understood that the magi were seeking the Messias ; hence, knowing that the Jews had definite prophecies concerning the Messias, who should deliver them, he summoned those who were instructed in the Scriptures — the chief priests and the Scribes.
the chief priests. They probably included —
(а) The actual high-priest.(b) Those who had previously held this office.(c) The heads of the twenty-four courses of priests.
the Scribes. They kept the public annals, copied the Scriptures, and among them we find the doctors of the Law.
5. In Bethlehem of Juda. The rulers of Israel gave the correct answer. Even the people of Jerusalem could have answered Herod’s question. Cf . Of that multitude .... some said : This is the prophet indeed. Others said : This is the Christ. But some said : . . . Doth not the scripture say : That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem the town where David was ? (St John vii. 40-42).
it is written by the prophet. Compare the free quotation and the original : —
Micheas v. 2. St Matt. ii. 6.
(а) And thou Bethlehem Ephrata (a) And thou Bethelem, the land of Juda
(b) art a little one among (b) art not the least among
(c) the thousands of Juda. (c) the princes of Juda.
(d) Out of thee shall he come forth unto me (d) Out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.
that is to be the ruler in Israel.
We notice that St Matthew does not give the exact quotation, nor does he profess to do so. As historian, he relates the answer to Herod’s question. There are, however, no real discrepancies, for —
6. that shall rule. The original Greek verb (ποιμανεῖ) signifies more than simply “ ruling.” It includes all that an Eastern shepherd does for his flock — protecting, guiding, and feeding. Jesus was to “rule” as the Good Shepherd, not as a tyrant. [Ed. Cf. etymon pa-: food, to feed, feeder, and derivatives, e.g., pa-stor, pa-sture, food, fodder, pater, father etc.](а) Bethlehem Ephrata was the ancient name of Bethlehem.(b) The prophet dwells on the insignificance of Bethlehem when compared with other cities of Juda, whereas in the quotation the thought of the greatness, as the birthplace of the Messias, is predominant.(c) The Hebrew tribes were divided into sections comprising 1000 families (called a chiliad), over each of which a prince or chief was placed (see Exod. xviii. 21 ; Judg. vi. 1,5). Hence the “prince” of the chiliad is put for the families themselves. Also the Hebrew word employed by Micheas for “thousands,” when used without the vowel points, may he rendered “thousand inhabitants ” or “leaders.”(d) The “captain ” is manifestly a synonym for “ruler.”
the time of the star. Lit. ‘‘ the time of the appearing star” (τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος). Herod’s object was to determine the age of the Child as nearly as possible. To obtain this information, he concealed his evil design. Neither Herod nor any of the rulers of Israel accompanied the wise men to Bethlehem. Doubtless it was their policy to treat the matter as an idle tale.
9. the star which, etc. God consoled the faithful magi by a fresh apparition of the star ; and where human means had failed, He supplied supernatural ones. The road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem led in a straight line due south for a distance of about 51/2 miles ; then there was an abrupt turn, and the little town was visible about half a mile ahead.
10. they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. In the original the cognate object of the intransitive verb is used together with an adverb, and all three parts of speech express exactly the same thought : “ they rejoiced a great joy exceedingly” (ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα.). Their joy was caused by the knowledge that they had at last found the Christ.
11. they found the child. The best MSS. have “they saw ” ( εἶδον), not (εὗρον) “they found.”
with Mary his mother. There is no mention of St Joseph, who was probably absent when the magi arrived.
they adored him. The word (προσεκύνησαν) here rendered “adored,” in the classics generally signifies the homage paid to a monarch, but it is oftener employed in the Bible with reference to the honour due to God.
Cf. Jesus saith to her: Woman, believe me, that the hour cometh, when you shall neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, adore the Father (St John iv. 21). The Fathers here interpret it as referring to the supreme worship due to God alone. When we consider that the magi were led by a miraculous star to the feet of the Infant Saviour, it seems impossible that they should have regarded Him as a mere earthly king. Since the surroundings at Bethlehem were so totally different from what the magi would naturally have expected had they not been interiorly enlightened, we cannot conceive how they could thus have rendered homage to an Infant whose royal dignity was absolutely concealed.
opening their treasures. It was customary when visiting an Eastern monarch to offer him costly gifts. Thus the Queen of Saba presented her offerings to Solomon.
gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Fathers give a mystical interpreta¬tion of these gifts.
The gold was offered as a recognition of Christ’s Royalty.The frankincense typified His Divinity, for only to the gods was incense offered.The myrrh symbolized His Humanity.
12. having received an answer, etc. The Greek text does not imply that the magi had prayed for guidance ; it simply means that the intimation was given during sleep, through some supernatural agency, either angelic or divine. This was the third time God had enlightened the magi : —
(1) by a star.(2) by the rulers of Israel.(3) by a supernatural communication.
Notice that as a miracle was worked to bring the first Jewish worshippers to the feet of Christ, so a miracle was vouchsafed to enlighten these devout Gentiles. The Church keeps the Feast of the Epiphany on the 6th of January, and it is a day of obligation.
From the conduct of the magi we should learn —
1. To obey the inspirations of grace promptly.2. Not to shrink from perils and hardships when some supernatural good is to be obtained.3. To be generous in offering our gifts to God.4. To worship our Lord under the Eucharistic veils, as the magi worshipped Him as a feeble Infant.
Totus tuus ego sum
Et omnia mea tua sunt;
Tecum semper tutus sum:
Ad Jesum per te, Maria.
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