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Matthew 2:1-12
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Reading the Text:
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| Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
 | The
Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto. |
| Primary texts about the Herod's Reign of Terror from
(Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the
World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts. |
|
"Of
David's Lineage," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of
the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C.
Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation. |
| King Herod and Slaughter of the
Innocents: New Testament Parallels to the Works of Josephus. From G.J. Goldberg's Flavius Josephus Home Page. (Some of
these "parallels" are speculative.) |
|
III.IX.2, Adversus
Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons.
(c. 180) |
|
Chapter IX,
Chapter XIII,
Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c.
198) |
|
Chapter IX, On
Idolatry, Tertullian
(c. 211) |
|
Chapter II, On
the Flesh of Christ, Tertullian (c.
211) |
|
I.LI,
I.LVIII-LXI,
Against Celsus, Origen.
(c.246) |
| Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew, St.
Chrysostom (c. 380)
|
| Sermon XXXI,
Sermon XXXIII,
Sermon XXXIV, and
Sermon XXXVI On the
Feast of the Epiphany by Leo
the Great (400-461). |
| Commentary on a Harmony of the
Evangelists, John Calvin, 1558:
Matthew 2:1-6,
Matthew 2:7-12. |
| From the
Catena
Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas. |
| From the Geneva Notes.
 | "[Herod] Was much
moved, for he was a foreigner, and became ruler by force; and the Jews
were troubled; for wickedness is mad and raging." |
|
| From
Matthew
Henry's Commentary.
| "Those who live at the
greatest distance from the means of grace often use most diligence, and
learn to know the most of Christ and his salvation. But no curious arts,
or mere human learning, can direct men unto him." |
|
| From
Wesley's Notes.
| "Wise men - The
first fruits of the Gentiles. Probably they were Gentile philosophers,
who, through the Divine assistance, had improved their knowledge of
nature, as a means of leading to the knowledge of the one true God. Nor
is it unreasonable to suppose, that God had favoured them with some
extraordinary revelations of himself, as he did Melchisedec, Job, and
several others, who were not of the family of Abraham; to which he never
intended absolutely to confine his favours. The title given them in the
original was anciently given to all philosophers, or men of learning;
those particularly who were curious in examining the works of nature,
and observing the motions of the heavenly bodies." |
|
| From the
Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
| "That the gold was
presented to the infant King in token of His royalty; the frankincense
in token of His divinity, and the myrrh, of His sufferings; or that they
were designed to express His divine and human natures; or that the
prophetical, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ are to be seen in
these gifts; or that they were the offerings of three individuals
respectively, each of them kings, the very names of whom tradition has
handed down--all these are, at the best, precarious suppositions." |
|
| From The People's
New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
| "The providence of God
is seen in these gifts. It provided the means necessary for the flight
to Egypt that was to follow at once, and to sustain the holy family in a
foreign land." |
|
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| Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
|
Comments
(commentary) and
Clippings
(technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican
Diocese of Montreal. |
|
"Halo
Effect," James Alison, The Christian Century, 2008.
| "Our paintings capture the scene
and back up the face of the baby with an aura, a halo. But will the
Magi have seen a halo? Will anyone have noticed anything slightly
shining about their faces, upon which the radiance has shone?" |
|
|
"Pagan
Magi and Power Politics: The 'Disclosure' of Epiphany," The Journey
with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus
Foundation, 2008.
| "All these Herods do the opposite of the magi;
they work hard to make the subversive kingdom of Jesus subservient
to the political power of the state. But these Herods, whether
ancient or modern, are right about one thing; if Jesus is Lord, then
Caesar is decidedly not lord." |
|
|
"First
Thoughts on Gospel Passages in the Lectionary: Epiphany," William
Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
| "The more immediate
allusion, however, is to the prophecy of Balaam, who refused to cower to
the murderous intentions of the evil king Balak towards Israel,
prophesying instead that a star would arise from Jacob, a sceptre from
Israel (Numbers 24:17; a passage applied messianically also in the Dead
Sea Scrolls and the Testaments of the 12 Patriarchs)." |
|
|
"The
Wisemen,"
Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle,
Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
Detailed background and exegesis. |
|
"Exegesis: Matthew 2:1-12," Timothy B. Cargal, Lectionary
Homiletics sample.
| "If Herod provides the foil
against which Jesus’ identity as 'son of David' is demonstrated, the
magi establish that Jesus is also 'son of Abraham.'" |
|
|
"Seeking,"
Listening to the Text, Engaging the Text, and Preaching the Text, Dr.
Dwight Gunter, Preacher's Magazine, 2007.
| "This story calls for a response
on our part. Therefore, the message pointed to our choices." |
|
| Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at
CrossMarks Christian
Resources.
| "I think that this text raises
two very important questions for us today: 'Where are the unchurched at
today?' And 'What signs will speak to them?'" |
|
|
"The Epiphany of Our Lord: Matthew 2:1-12,"
Revelation and Response: Matthean Texts
for Christmas and Epiphany, Carol Mork, Word & World: Theology
for Christian Ministry, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1989. |
|
Matthew in the Margins, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western
Australia. |
|
"Off
By Nine Miles," Walter Brueggemann, The Christian Century,
2001.
| "Matthew is not the first one to
imagine three rich wise guys from the East coming to Jerusalem. His
story line and plot come from Isaiah 60, a poem recited to Jews in
Jerusalem about 580 B.C.E." |
|
|
"Wise Men Worship the King," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible
Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
| "Although the visit of the Magi
images the Moses story, it primarily serves to demonstrate the
fulfilment of scripture in Jesus' birth." |
|
|
"Seek the Lord," Larry Broding's
Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic
Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family
Activity, Support Materials.
| "Have you ever felt called to
find an answer or go on a quest? What happened?" |
|
|
"Least
among Leaders,"
Jerry Goebel, One
Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study
and activities.
| "The
exact Hebrew translation of this phrase, 'least among leaders,' would read
something like; 'God will give His most to your least.' Would our
contemporary culture understand that statement; trapped as we are in the
accoutrements of power?" |
|
|
"The Showing
God," Bruce T. Martin, Sabbatheology, 2008.
| "God continues to 'manifest' or
'show' his love for the world through us, incarnately (in our
flesh)." |
|
|
"Pope John Paul II and Prayer," Epiphany, Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from
Sundays Into
Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of Christian
Meditation. Claretian Publications.
| "The believer is often incapable of
puzzling out God's plans and seeing his hand behind painful human
history." |
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|
"The Highest Knowledge,"
Ronald Goetz, The Christian Century, 1983.
At Religion Online.
| "What may have embarrassed the wise
men were the implications they were driven as logicians to draw from their
recognition of the divinity of the child." |
|
|
"The
Babe and the Babes of Bethlehem," James T. Dennison Jr., in Kerux:
The Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed)
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"But
beyond the pathos of infant death, Matthew focuses on the life of an
infant-- an infant spared (at least for a time) from the point of sword
or spear. The life of one babe predominates and that life finds itself
inseparably meshed with the story of Israel." |
|
|
"An
Unexpected and Hidden Glory," Charles G. Dennison, in Kerux:
The Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed)
|
"When
Hezekiah, king of the Jews, was delivered from a fatal illness,
Merodach-baladan of Babylon sent emissaries with gifts. We could safely
judge them less than honorable. Didn't they really come for political
reasons? for a treaty perhaps designed to harass the Assyrians? Was
there an element of intrigue? Did they wish to "spy out the
land?" Hezekiah, victim of messianic delusion, parades before them
the wealth of his house, just the stuff to attract the Babylonian eye.
One hundred years later, according to the Lord's judgment, the
Babylonians returned to cart off the treasures of David's house (cf. Isa.
39)." |
|
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"Balaam,
The Magi, and Herod," Stuart Jones, in Kerux: The Online
Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed)
|
"Examining
the text more closely, we notice that the exposition of Micah, pointing
to Bethlehem as Messiah's birthplace, is not related to the Magi by the
expected source, viz., the scribes. It is rather Herod, informed by the
Jewish leaders, who transmits this information in secret. Again we have
some sermon points that are possible. God requires that we consult
special revelation to find the Christ, but he is not limited in how that
revelation can be delivered. His sovereign power means he can make his
enemies prophetic voices for the truth. Though this sounds like a pious
addendum which does not constitute the central theme of the chapter, it
is an observation with a striking similarity to the Balaam situation in
Numbers 22-24." |
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|
"A Strange
Visit," Expository Essay, Dr. William R. Long.
Part 2.
| "The
passage for today inspires me to keep an attitude of wonder
alive in everything I do--whether it is in conversation with someone
or directing my eyes to the heavens." |
|
|
Environmental &
earth-centered reflections, Rev Wanda Copeland, from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota Environmental
Stewardship Commission.
| "In what ways does
nature still acknowledge Jesus¹ birth? In the lengthening of days
(coming of the light from the darkness, warming of the earth for those
in the Northern Hemisphere.) The signs of welcome and rejoicing
are many, if we but take the time to look." |
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|
| Articles & Background:
|
"Biblical Magi," wikipedia. |
|
"Wise Woman Bearing Gifts," Letty M. Russell,
Cross Currents,
Spring 2003.
| "This imperial model for the church going out to all
the nations is disturbing to us as we see how it has been used and
abused by both the Christian churches and the countries of the North." |
|
|
The Wise Men
and the Star of Christ, a multi-page historical/theological site by Rev. Phil
Greetham. |
|
"Dreams
and Christian Growth," Philip St. Romain,
Spirituality Today, Summer 1984.
| "Through the symbols produced
in our dreams by the unconscious dimension of our persons, the
Spirit of God can reveal ways of living that impede or foster
Christian discipleship." |
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| Herod the
Great, basic background from Wayne Blank's
Daily Bible Study. |
|
"Star of Wonder," Mary Barron,
National Catholic Reporter,
2002. |
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"The Star of Bethlehem," Martin Gardner,
Skeptical Inquirer,
1999. |
|
"Further Thoughts on the Star of Bethlehem," Phillips Stevens, Jr.,
Skeptical Inquirer, 2000. |
|
| Articles in
ATLAS Journals. (Direct link when you are
subscribed and logged in to
ATLASerials online collection of Religion and Theology Journals.):
| Agourides, Savas,
"The Birth of Jesus and the Herodian Dynasty: An Understanding of Matthew,
Chapter 2," Greek Orthodox Theological Review, 1992.
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| Bauer, David R., "The Kingship of
Jesus in the Matthean Infancy Narrative: A Literary Analysis," The
Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1995.
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| Bertram, Robert W.,
"An Epiphany Crossing -- Programming Matthew 2:1-12 for Readers Today,"
Currents in Theology and Mission, 1980.
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| Brueggemann, Walter,
"Off by Nine Miles," The Christian Century, 2001.
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| Bruns, J. Edgar,
"The Magi in Episode in Matthew 2," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly,
1961.
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| Davis, Charles Thomas,
"Tradition and Redaction in Matthew 1:18-2:23," Journal of Biblical
Literature, 1971.
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| Davis, D. Mark,
"Between Text and Sermon: Matthew 2:1-12,"
Interpretation, 2003.
(See also,
"Evil," issue focus,
Interpretation, 2003.)
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|
"Following the Star," collection of quotations, Christianity Today,
2004.
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| Gnuse, Robert,
"Dream Genre in the Matthean Infancy Narratives," Novum Testamentum,
1990.
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| Goetz, Ronald, "The Highest
Knowledge," The Christian Century, 1983.
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| Heater, Homer, Jr.,
"Matthew 2:6 and Its Old Testament Sources," Journal of the
Evangelical Theological Society, 1983.
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| Housley, Kathleen L.,
"The Magi," The Christian Century, 2001. Poetry.
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| Lerch, Marilyn E.,
"Kneeling at the Feet of the Wise One," Brethren Life and Thought,
2005. Sermon.
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| Maalouf, Tony T.,
"Were the Magi from Persia or Arabia?" Bibliotheca Sacra, 1999.
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| McClaren, James S.,
"Jews and the Imperial Cult: From Augustus to Domitian," Journal for
the Study of the New Testament, 2005.
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| McGovern, Robert,
"The Magi," The Christian Century, 1994. Poetry.
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| Mork, Carol,
"Revelation and Response: Matthean Texts for Christmas and Epiphany,"
Word & World, 1989.
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| Nolland, John,
"The Sources for Matthew 2:1-12," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly,
1998.
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| O'Driscoll, Herbert,
"Kingly Presence," The Christian Century, 2003.
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| O'Kane, Martin, "The Artist as Reader of the Bible: Visual Exegesis and the Adoration of the
Magi," Biblical Interpretation, 2005.
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| Petrotta, A.J.,
"A Closer Look at Matt 2:6 and Its Old Testament Sources,"
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PDF
and
"An Even Closer Look at Matt 2:6 and Its Old Testament Sources,"
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1985 and 1990.
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| Phipps, William E.,
"The Magi and Halley's Comet," Theology Today, 1986.
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| Powell, Mark Allan, "Echoes of Jonah
in the New Testament," Word & World, 2007.
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| Powell, Mark Allan,
"The Magi as Kings: An Adventure in Reader-Response Criticism," The
Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2000.
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| Russell, Letty M.,
"Wise Woman Bearing Gifts," Cross Currents, 2003.
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| Sappenfield, William J., "Known
Beyond the Borders: Reflections on the Lectionary Readings for January,"
The Living Pulpit, 2007.
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| Scott, Bernard Brandon,
"The Birth of the Reader," Semeia, 1991.
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| Senior, Donald, C.P.,
"Expository Article: Matthew 2:1-12," Interpretation, 1992.
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| Slemmons, Timothy M., "Matthew 2:1-12," Theology
Today, 2002. Poetry.
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| van Beek, Gus W., "Frankincense and Myrrh,"
Biblical Archaeologist, 1960.
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| Via, Dan O., Jr.,
"Narrative World and Ethical Response: The Marvelous and Righteousness in
Matthew 1-2," Semeia, 1978.
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| Vinson, Richard, "'King of the Jews': Kingship and
Anti-Kingship Rhetoric in Matthew's Birth, Baptism, and Transfiguration
Narratives," Review & Expositor, 2007.
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| Weaver, Dorothy Jean,
"Rewriting the Messianic Script: Matthew's Account of the Birth of Jesus,"
Interpretation, 2000.
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| Young, Robert D.,
"Matthew's Christmas Allegory," Journal for Preachers, 2003.
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| Reviews:
| Aus, Roger David,
Matthew 1-2 and the Virginal Conception: In Light of Palestinian and
Hellenistic Traditions on the Birth of Israel's First Redeemer, Moses.
University Press of America, 2004.
Review
by Wayne Meeks, Review of Biblical Literature, 2006. |
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| Sermons:
|
"The
Main Thing," the Rev. Randy Calvo, Day 1, 2008. |
|
"Seeking,"
Dr. Dwight Gunter, Preacher's Magazine, 2007. |
|
Epiphany -
6 January 2006,
James Mueller, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the
RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors. |
|
"Come
Home," the Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander,
Day 1, 2002. |
| "The
Gift of the Magi," the Rev. Mark Sargent, Day 1. |
|
"Another Way Home," the Very Rev. Harry H. Pritchett, Day 1,
1996. |
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"Grace," the Rev. Dr. Douglas Oldenbug, Day 1, 1996. |
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"Free and
Priceless," John Jewell, 1999. |
|
"Discovering Your Own Gifts for the Christchild,"
"Exploding Light,"
"Shooting Stars,"
"Where Did Christmas Go?"
Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle,
Washington. |
| Father
Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist" Commentary and
Homily:
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| With Children:
|
The Bible and Epiphany: The Wise Men and the Baptism of Jesus,
crossword puzzle, Bruce Gillette. |
|
"The Three
Wisemen," Illustrating the
Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets,
crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts. |
|
"Sweet Christmas!"
Talks to Children, Rev. Donald
McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland. |
|
"Star Bright, Star Light," Lois Parker Edstrom, Children's Sermon,
Lectionary.org. |
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"Wise Men Come
from the East to Worship Jesus," Sunday School
Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc. |
|
"Wise Men
Worship Jesus," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com. |
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"The Wise Men,"
children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian
Center. |
|
Wise Men Search for
Jesus, sermons4kids.com. |
|
"Figures of Faith: A Series of Children's Messages for Advent," Laura
Venhuizen, Reformed Worship. |
|
The Christmas Story Crossword Puzzle, downloadable and interactive
online, based on the NRSV Christmas stories from Matthew and Luke. Bruce
Gillette, Limestone Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE. |
|
| Drama:
|
"A
Feast with the Shepherds," from A Certain Jesus by
Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical
dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications. |
|
"Angel Delight,"
Michael English, Milton Parish Church Drama
Resources. |
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| Graphics & Bulletin Materials: | |
