The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament (22 page)

1:25 until:
The Greek
heos
does not imply that Joseph and Mary had marital relations following Jesus' birth. This conjunction is often used (translated "to" or "till") to indicate a select period of time, without implying change in the future (2 Sam 6:23 [LXX]; Jn 9:18; 1 Tim 4:13). Here Matthew emphasizes only that Joseph had no involvement in Mary's pregnancy
before
Jesus' birth. • Mary's perpetual virginity is firmly established in Church tradition. Its doctrinal formulation is traced to the Lateran Synod of
A.D.
649 and was reaffirmed in 1968 by Pope Paul VI (The Credo
of the People of Cod,
14; CCC 499501). 
Back to text.

2:1 Bethlehem:
A small village south of Jerusalem. Its Hebrew name means "house of bread", and it came to be known as the "city of David" (Lk 2:4). As the new Davidic king, Jesus is born in the hometown of David and his family (1 Sam 16:1). It is also the site where David was anointed king (1 Sam 16:4-13).
Herod the king:
Herod the Great, ruler of Palestine. He was part of a non-Jewish (Edomite) family that held political favor with Rome. Herod was appointed "King of the Jews" by the Roman Senate in 40
B.C.
to replace the collapsing dynasty of Jewish priestly rulers. He took power in Jerusalem in 37
B.C.
and reigned until his death. He is famous for extensive building projects, especially his renovation of the Jerusalem Temple. As a ruler, he was extremely harsh and inflexible. He enjoyed little favor with the Jews since he remained loyal to the Roman emperor and was not a rightful Davidic leader. According to our current calendar, Jesus was born near the end of Herod's reign, either between 6 and 4
B.C.
or 3 and 2
B.C.
(cf. 2:16).
Wise Men from the East:
Probably astrologers from Persia—this would explain their interest in an extraordinary "star" (2:2). In Matthew, the Magi are the first Gentiles to recognize the kingship of Jesus (CCC 528). • The star recalls OT prophecy about the Messiah. In Num 24:17, Balaam predicted: "a star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel." Herod the Edomite was "troubled" (Mt 2:3), knowing that the same oracle foretold disaster for his family: "Edom shall be dispossessed" (Num 24:18). 
Back to text.

2:6 And you, O Bethlehem:
A combined citation of Mic 5:2 and 2 Sam 5:2. Both the birthplace and the kingship of the Messiah are central. • According to Mic 5:2, the greatness of Bethlehem will far outweigh its small size because of the great king who will arise there. The reference to 2 Sam 5:2 also has a royal context, narrating David's covenant of kingship with the 12 tribes of Israel. The mention of these OT texts by the "chief priests and scribes" (2:4) indicates their close association with messianic expectations during NT times. 
Back to text.

2:11 into the house:
This setting suggests the event took place after Jesus' presence in the "manger" (Lk 2:7) and the earlier visit of the shepherds (Lk 2:1517). • The episode evokes Is 60:3, 6, where Gentile nations bring gifts of
gold
and
frankincense
to the God of Israel (cf. Tob 13:11; Ps 72:10-15).
myrrh:
An anointing oil used to consecrate Levitical priests and the wilderness Tabernacle (Ex 30:23-33). It was also a burial ointment (Jn 19:39-40). •
Allegorically
(St. Irenaeus,
AH
3, 9, 2): the gifts of the Magi signify the mystery of Christ incarnate. Gold, a symbol of royalty, represents the kingship of Jesus. Frankincense, used in the worship of God, points to his divinity. Myrrh, a burial ointment, signifies the humanity of Christ, especially in his Passion and death.
Morally
(St. Gregory the Great,
Hom. in Evan.
10): the treasures signify the gifts we present to Christ in our daily lives. Gold is Christ's wisdom, which shines in us, frankincense is the prayer and adoration we give him (cf. Rev 8:3-4), and myrrh is our daily self-sacrifices (10:39; cf. Rom 12:1). 
Back to text.

2:13 Rise, take the child:
God works within the structures of the family: Joseph is instructed by the angel because he is the head of the Holy Family and the one most responsible for their well-being (cf. Eph 5:21-6:3).
Egypt:
A frequent place of refuge in the OT (Gen 12:10; 46:4; 1 Kings 11:40; Jer 26:21) and the location of large Jewish colonies (Alexandria and Elephantine) during NT times. 
Back to text.

2:15 Out of Egypt:
A quotation from Hos 11:1. Matthew anticipates its fulfillment in 2:21. • Hosea 11:1 points back to the Exodus, where God's "first-born son" (Ex 4:22), Israel, was delivered from slavery under the oppressive Pharaoh. Matthew sees this text also pointing forward, when Jesus, the eternal first-born Son (Rom 8:29), is delivered from the tyrant Herod and later brought out of Egypt (2:21) (CCC 530). 
Back to text.

2:16 a furious rage: Extrabiblical history paints a similar portrait of Herod: he murdered his favorite wife, three of his sons, and others who threatened his throne.• The Church considers these children from Bethlehem the first Christian martyrs. Their feast is celebrated December 28. • Matthew begins here to portray Jesus as a new and greater Moses:
(1)
The lives of both Jesus and Moses are threatened in their infancy by an imperial edict to kill Hebrew male children (Ex 1:15-16);
(2)
both were saved from the decree by the intervention of a family member (2:13; Ex 2:1-10);
(3)
both found protection for a time within Egypt (2:14-15; Ex 2:5-10);
(4)
both were called back to their respective birthplaces after a time of flight and exile (2:20; Ex 4:19);
(5)
both spent 40 days and nights fasting alone in the wilderness (4:2; Ex 34:28);
(6)
both were commissioned by God to promulgate his covenant Law (chaps. 5-7; Deut 5:1-21). See chart:
Jesus and the Old Testament
at Mt 12. 
Back to text.