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Explanation for:
Matthew
2
:
5
But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The adversaries of the truth were reluctantly compelled to consider the Scriptures and interpret the prophecies. However, their explanations were incomplete; when they mentioned that the Shepherd of Israel would emerge from Bethlehem, they neglected to include the subsequent phrase to flatter the king: \\"Come forth from the beginning from the days of the age\\" (Micah 5:2). If His origins were in Bethlehem, one might wonder why He resided in Nazareth following His birth, seemingly obscuring the prophecy. In fact, He did not diminish it but rather clarified it further. His birth in Bethlehem, despite His mother's residence in Nazareth, indicates a divine plan. Therefore, He did not depart from Bethlehem immediately after His birth, remaining there for forty days to allow those willing to seek the truth ample opportunity for investigation. There were numerous indications for such inquiry available to anyone paying attention. When the Magi arrived, the entire city was stirred, along with the king; the prophet was summoned, and a significant judgment was convened. Many other occurrences recorded by Luke the Evangelist, such as the accounts of Anna, Simeon, Zacharias, the angels, and the shepherds, could have easily led the discerning to uncover the truth. If the wise men from Persia recognized the significance of the place, it is even more likely that those living in Judea should have understood what transpired. From the beginning, Christ made Himself known through many miracles. Yet, since many were unwilling to acknowledge Him, He concealed His glory for a time, later revealing Himself in a more magnificent manner. It was no longer the Magi or the star, but the Father Himself who testified from on high at His baptism in the Jordan, where the Holy Spirit descended and voiced His approval. John proclaimed Christ boldly throughout Judea, filling cities and wilderness alike with his message. Signs in nature, the earth, the seas, and all of creation joyfully declared Him. Indeed, even at His birth, there were clear signs affirming His arrival. The Jews cannot claim ignorance regarding the time or place of His birth. The entire narrative of the Magi and the other associated events is structured in such a way that they have no justification for disregarding an investigation into what transpired."},{"author-name":"Gregory the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88c2b032f5f6e5effaa54_Gregory%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":6,"exegesis-text":"Despite all the signs that were revealed at the Lord's birth and His crucifixion, we must reflect on the hardening of some Jews’ hearts, who failed to recognize Him through prophecy or miracles. Every aspect of creation testified that their Saviour had arrived. In human terms, the heavens acknowledged Him as Divine by sending forth a star. The sea recognized Him, allowing Him to walk upon its waters. The earth responded, trembling at the moment of His death. The sun testified by veiling its light, and the rocks and walls bore witness as they split apart at His passing. Even Hell acknowledged Him by releasing the souls it held captive. Yet, the hearts of the unbelieving Jews remained unmoved, failing to recognize their Lord, to whom all the senseless elements have pointed, refusing to be shattered into repentance, and reluctant to confess Him of whom creation itself has declared, through signs and wonders, that He is God. Their condemnation is further deepened by their prior knowledge that He, whom they scorned at birth, would indeed come into the world. They were not only aware of His coming but also of the place of His birth. At Herod's inquiry, they indicated Bethlehem as the Redeemer's birthplace, grounding their knowledge in the authority of Scripture. This testimony highlights the honor of Bethlehem in the birth of the new Shepherd, serving as a witness against them and a foundation for our faith. These Jews can be likened to Isaac, who, when blessing Jacob, was blind yet prophesied, failing to recognize the son he blessed even while foreseeing much about his future. In the same way, the Jewish people, endowed with the spirit of prophecy yet blind, did not see the present reality of the One they foresaw in the days to come."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Which prophet spoke this? Micah. He declared, ‘And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means the least among the rulers of Judah’ (Micah 5:2)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He inquires, feigning to be a fervent devotee of the God of Israel and the promised Messiah, and in return, he receives a straightforward and unmistakable response: THEY TOLD HIM: IN BETHLEHEM OF JUDAH. This answer definitively addresses the scholarly inquiry regarding the birthplace of Christ.\\n\\nMoreover, they are so content with their response that they feel no need to seek further clarification on whether He has truly been born. Yet, the truth could not remain concealed, as it was well-known to every Jew (John 7:42), because it is clearly articulated in Sacred Scripture: FOR THESE things were written by the prophet Micah, seven hundred years prior to the reign of Herod."},{"author-name":"Innocentius of Kherson","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d18072d36d1a976dd2c_Innocentius%20of%20Kherson.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"And they responded, In Bethlehem of Judea. The reply appears to come quickly, yet there was no need for deliberation, as they had long been aware of where the Messiah would be born. Had they thoroughly examined this inquiry, the evangelist would have certainly pointed it out. It seems likely that the idea, ‘We do not know from where the Messiah will come,’ had not taken firm hold and was only in the minds of a few individuals. ‘For thus it is written by the prophet.’ The response is concise and definitive. The Sanhedrin does not reference any legends, of which there were many, likely because such tales had not yet gained prominence at that time. Herod was not associated with the Pharisees, who were particularly focused on tradition. A reading of the Gospel narratives concerning the earthly existence of Jesus Christ prior to His public ministry of redemption for humanity. The journey of the Magi and their adoration of Jesus Christ."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In Bethlehem of Judea, as noted in Matthew 2:1, the Sanhedrin responds immediately, affirming the prophecy of Micah, who proclaimed over seven centuries prior (Micah 5:2) that the Messiah’s birthplace would be recognized as Bethlehem. Though the ancient text presents slight variations from the version referenced here, the fundamental implication regarding the Messiah's birthplace remains consistent. The original states, \\"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.\\" The manner in which the chief priests and scribes interpreted this verse, or how the evangelist presents it, does not diminish the significance of the prophetic message conveyed in the Gospel; the differences merely serve to enhance understanding. The name Ephrathah signifies a fruitful land, a designation synonymous with Bethlehem, which has been known by this name since patriarchal eras, as illustrated in Genesis 35:19, Genesis 48:7, and Ruth 4:11."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The prophecy by Micah regarding the birthplace of the Messiah was familiar to the scribes, who promptly directed Herod to Bethlehem."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"To address this significant issue, Herod quickly gathered all the leading priests and scribes of the people and asked them, \\"Where is the Messiah to be born?\\" The knowledgeable Jewish scholars found it easy to respond, as the prophet Micah had explicitly foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"According to St. John Chrysostom, the inquiry presented by the Magi contributed significantly to a profound understanding of the truth for both themselves and the Jewish people. This exchange allowed both foreigners and Jews to learn from one another, gaining remarkable insights. The Jews were informed by the wise men that even in Persia, the star signified the coming of Christ, while the Magi discovered from the Jews that the prophets had long predicted the arrival of the one heralded by the star. In response, Herod called upon the leading priests and scribes of the people, seeking to know, \\"Where is Christ born?\\" The adversaries of the truth were thus compelled, albeit reluctantly, to reference the Scriptures and elucidate the prophecies, as if they were unprepared to face God's judgment. Drawing from the prophecy of Micah (Micah 5:2), those in the Sanhedrin pointed to Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In Herod’s mind, a scheme to eliminate the newborn king quickly takes shape. He calls together the guardians of the law and inquires, \\"Where is Christ born?\\" They respond clearly that it is in Bethlehem of Judea, supporting their answer with a well-known Messianic prophecy from Micah. Then, he privately summons the wise men, wishing to keep his plans hidden from those around him, so they do not suspect his intentions and interfere with his plot. Herod seeks to learn from them the timing of the star's appearance. At this point, Herod is already contemplating the massacre of all male infants in Bethlehem, based on the timing of the star (v. 16), a notion that crystallized only after he felt humiliated by the Magi. Previously, he may have thought that eliminating just one child, the one the people believed might be their future king, would suffice to eliminate the threat to his reign (v. 8). \\n\\nHerod's perspective on the birth of the Jewish king was political rather than religious; he perceived the resulting uproar as a potential source of public unrest. Therefore, determining the star's appearance time—and thus the birth of this child—would clarify for him how long this danger had loomed and whether he had acted too slowly to avert it. He wrestled with whether it would suffice to neutralize this threat by the execution of a single newborn royal. To navigate this precarious situation, he meticulously probed for every detail. After obtaining the necessary information from the wise men, Herod cunningly asked them to return and report back so that he too could come to honor the newborn king. It seems rather naive of Herod to think the wise men wouldn’t discern his ulterior motives, given he expressed a desire to venerate the child who they believed was destined to take his place as king. Nevertheless, this was a clever ruse: Herod feigned compliance with the spiritual enthusiasm of the Magi, pretending to be a believer in the Newborn, the promised king of the Jews, whose mission was to uplift not only Israel but the entire world as well. The wise men, unaware of Herod's true nature, would have likely accepted his façade and acquiesced to his request had they not been divinely warned (v. 12)."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Herod convened the entire Sanhedrin, comprised of all the chief priests and scholars of the people. This highest court had already endured much under his ruthless rule, and Herod's advancing age, along with his familial troubles, only heightened their suspicions. In this assembly, he directed a question to them, particularly focusing on the theologians and interpreters: Where should that great King, whom the people eagerly anticipate, be born? It was not hard to discern the motives behind the king's inquiry and the purpose behind his questioning. The arrival of the Messiah was significant to him, as it could pose a threat to his reign. The Sanhedrin, despite the seemingly important tidings from the visitors, felt no personal stake in the matter and preferred not to engage in a distant discourse. Instead, they deemed it more fitting in response to the king's query to reference an ancient prophecy indicating that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem."}]}
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