Matthew 2:3

Matthew 2:3 is the third verse of the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. In the previous verse the magi had informed King Herod that they had seen portents showing the birth of the King of the Jews. In this verse he reacts to this news.

Matthew 2:3
← 2:2
2:4 →
An imagined view of Herod on his throne by Théophile Lybaert
BookGospel of Matthew
Christian Bible partNew Testament

In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:

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

For a collection of other versions see BibleHub Matthew 2:3.

That Herod should be troubled by the King of the Jews being born is not surprising. As an Edomite Herod was open to challenge from someone claiming to be the heir of King David, and the central theme of Matthew 1 is Jesus' Davidic status. Moreover, Herod was renowned for his paranoia, killing several of his own sons who threatened him.[1]

That all Jerusalem is agitated also seems to conflict with later in the Gospel when the people are oblivious to Jesus. R. T. France suggests that the passage could perhaps be read as showing that the people of Jerusalem were troubled because of the possibility of Herod's wrath. Other scholars see this interpretation as being fairly implausible.[2] Brown notes that this phrase originates in Exodus. There is a theory that this part of Matthew is heavily influenced by the story of Moses. In Exodus all Egypt is troubled by Moses, not just the Pharaoh. Thus in parallel all Jerusalem must also be troubled.[3] This view was shared by St. Chrysostom.[4]

Gundry sees this passage as influenced by the politics of the time it was written, a foreshadowing of the rejection of Jesus and his church by the leaders of Jerusalem.[5] Paul L. Maier disagrees, "If Matthew had concocted the account for such apologetic purposes, he failed quite miserably."[6] R.T. France says "The supposed parallel is far from exact."[7]

Keener argues that Matthew is contrasting the goodness of the pagan Magi against the residents of Jerusalem as part of his overall advocacy of Christian outreach beyond the Jewish community. Matthew challenges his reader's negative views of outsiders by contrasting these foreigners with the behaviour of those in Jerusalem.[8] Levin believes the verse reflects Matthew's social critique against the wealthy and powerful city dwellers.[9]

Gundry notes that this verse again makes sure to note Herod is a king. He sees this as an effort by the author of Matthew to create a deliberate contrast with Jesus, with Herod being the embodiment of all the things Jesus is not.[5]

References
  1. France, R.T. The Gospel According to Matthew: an Introduction and Commentary. Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 1985. pg. 70
  2. France, R.T. The Gospel According to Matthew: an Introduction and Commentary. Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 1985.
  3. Brown, Raymond E. The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in Matthew and Luke. London: G. Chapman, 1977.
  4. Chrysostom, John. Homilies on Matthew. Homily VI section 6. circa fourth century.
  5. Gundry, Robert H. Matthew a Commentary on his Literary and Theological Art. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982.
  6. Maier, Paul L., "Herod and the Infants of Bethlehem", Chronos, Kairos, Christos II: Chronological, Nativity, and Religious Studies in Memory of Ray Summers, (Ray Summers, Jerry Vardman, eds.) Mercer University Press, 1998, p.184ISBN 978-0-86554-582-3
  7. France, R.T., "Herod and the Children", Novum Testamentum, 21, 1979, p.112
  8. Craig S. Keener. A commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1999. pg. 98
  9. Levine, Amy-Jill. "Matthew." Women's Bible Commentary. Carol A. Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe, eds. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1998.
Preceded by
Matthew 2:2		 Gospel of Matthew
Chapter 2		 Succeeded by
Matthew 2:4
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