(2:5-6) "In Bethlehem of Judaea"
Matthew claims that Jesus' birth in Bethlehem
fulfils the prophecy in Micah 5:2. But this is
unlikely for two reasons.
"Bethlehem Ephratah" in Micah 5:2 refers not to a town, but to a
clan: the clan of Bethlehem, who was the son of Caleb's second wife,
Ephrathah (1 Chr.2:18, 2:50-52, 4:4).
The prophecy (if that is what it is) does not refer to the Messiah, but
rather to a military leader, as can be seen from Micah
5:6. This leader is supposed to defeat the Assyrians, which, of course,
Jesus never did.
It should also be noted that Matthew altered the text of Micah 5:2 by saying:
"And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda" rather than "Bethlehem
Ephratah" as is said in Micah 5:2. He did this, intentionally no doubt, to
make the verse appear to refer to the town of Bethlehem rather than the family
clan.
2:3
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all
Jerusalem with him.
2:4
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people
together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
2:5
And they said unto him, In
Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
2:6And 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.
2:7
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them
diligently what time the star appeared.
2:8
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.
2:9
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.
"The star ... went before them."
If the star "went before them," leading them to Bethlehem, then it couldn't have been a star or any
other astronomical object or event. But Matthew couldn't have known that. Everyone at the time
thought that stars were just little points of light a short distance above the earth. It'd be no
problem to have one hover above a particular place for a while.
2:10
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
2:11And 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.
2:13
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.
2:14When he arose, he took
the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
(2:16)
Herod kills all boys in and around Bethlehem
that are two years old and under. Such a massacre would certainly have been
noted by contemporary historians. Yet not even Josephus, who documented Herod's
life in detail, mentioned this event.
(2:17-18) Matthew quotes Jeremiah
31:15, claiming that it was a prophecy of King Herod's alleged slaughter of
the children in and around Bethlehem after the birth of Jesus. But this verse
refers to the Babylonian captivity, as is clear by reading the next two verses
(16 and 17), and, thus, has nothing to do with Herod's massacre.
2:15
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.
2:16Then 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
enquired of the wise men.
2:17Then was fulfilled that
which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
2:18In 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.
2:19
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream
to Joseph in Egypt,
2:20
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.
2:21
And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the
land of Israel.
2:22
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:
2:23
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.
"He shall be called a Nazarene."
Matthew claims this was a fulfillment of prophecy, yet such a prophecy is not
found anywhere in the Old Testament.
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The Dream of the Magi
Rachel weeping for her children