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Matthew 2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

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.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem 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.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

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 unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

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 in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

In Rama 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.

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea 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:

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.

What does Matthew 2:23 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 2:23 concludes the second chapter of the book by noting that Joseph settled his family in the town of Nazareth, following their return from Egypt.

This move is described as fulfilling what the prophets had spoken, namely, that Jesus "shall be called a Nazarene." The verse is significant because it provides a textual connection between Jesus and the prophetic tradition of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament of the Christian Bible).

However, the exact prophecy referred to is not found in the existing texts of the Old Testament, suggesting that the author was either referring to a non-canonical prophecy, employing a typological interpretation, or providing a wordplay or metaphorical linkage that resonated with his audience.

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Historical Context

The Gospel of Matthew is thought to have been written between 80 and 90 AD, a time when early Christians were attempting to understand the life of Jesus in the context of Hebrew Scripture.

Nazareth was a small and relatively obscure Jewish village in Galilee.

The choice of Nazareth as a home for Jesus could be significant because it fulfilled expectations that the Messiah would come from a humble background.

Also, Matthew’s audience, which is generally believed to have been Jewish Christians, would have been familiar with the importance of prophecies being fulfilled.

Theological Insights

Different theological interpretations have been offered for this verse.

One view is that Matthew is demonstrating Jesus’s prophetic fulfillment even if the exact prophecy is not known.

Another perspective is that "Nazarene" might symbolize something greater than simply being an inhabitant of Nazareth; it could be linked to the Hebrew word "nezer," which means "branch" and is associated with the prophesied Messiah.

Some scholars also discuss the possibility of a play on words between "Nazarene" and "Nazirite," though Jesus was not a Nazirite in the traditional sense.

Practical Applications

In contemporary practice, the verse reminds believers of the importance of prophecy and expectation in the Christian faith.

It suggests that the life and identity of individuals might unknowingly fulfill broader plans or purposes, thereby serving as a reminder for believers to look for divine significance in their life circumstances.

Cross-References

Judges 13:5: "For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."
Isaiah 11:1: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:"
Jeremiah 23:5: "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth."

Language Study

"Nazareth" or "Ναζαρέτ" (Nazaret) in Greek, means the town of Nazareth.

The title "Nazarene," or "Ναζωραῖος" (Nazōraios) in Greek, can imply 'one from Nazareth.' The Hebrew word "נזר" (nezer), which can mean "consecrated" or "crowned" and is translated as "branch" or "sprout," may be etymologically linked to "Nazareth."

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The identification of Jesus with Nazareth serves to fulfill expectations in multiple ways, aligning with the broader religious and cultural phenomenon of messianic figures emerging in humble circumstances, a motif found in various religious and mythical narratives.

Additionally, the theme of fulfilling prophecies or destiny resonates with stories across different cultures where heroes fulfill ancient oracles or foretellings.

Scientific Perspectives

While Matthew 2:23 is primarily theological in nature, scientific perspectives could explore the historical and anthropological aspects surrounding Nazareth during that time period.

Archaeological discoveries can shed light on the town's size, significance, and culture, thereby providing context to the Gospel account.

commentaries

Commentators have long debated the exact reference Matthew intended.

Some suggest that Matthew was drawing from an oral tradition or a non-extant written prophecy.

Others argue that Matthew saw Jesus as fulfilling a range of scriptural themes around the idea of the Messiah as a "branch" or "shoot" from the line of David.

Still, others think that Matthew was using a creative exegesis to connect Jesus's life with the themes of the prophets broadly.

This variety of viewpoints reflects the complexity of the passage and its open-ended nature.

Matthew 2

Matthew 2

What does Matthew 2:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 2:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?