NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible | Page 107
1700 | Matthew 2:1
The Magi Visit the Messiah
2
Judea, u
Herod, v
2:1 u Lk 2:4-7 v Lk 1:5
2:2 w Jer 23:5;
Mt 27:11; Mk 15:2;
Jn 1:49; 18:33-37
x Nu 24:17
Magi a
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in
during the time of King
from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born
king of the Jews? w We saw his star x when it rose and have come to worship him.”
a 1 Traditionally
wise men
2:1 – 12 Matthew seems to presuppose his au-
dience’s knowledge of the circumstances of
Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem (cf. Luke 2:1 – 20),
moving immediately to the account of the
visit of the Magi.
2:1 Bethlehem in Judea. A small village
about five miles (eight kilometers) south
of Jerusalem, the birthplace of King David
of old. the time of King Herod. 37 to 4 BC.
King Herod. Herod the Great, he was an
Idumean, unqualified by lineage for his
position. But he was a shrewd diplomat,
funding many public works in Judea, and
began a dynasty that accounts for various
descendants also called “Herod” later in
the NT. Magi from the east. Astronomers
or astrologers who served in royal courts in
R
E
A
Damascus
IT
rd
Herod the Great
Archelaus
20 mi.
SAMARIA
Damascus
A
Herod
Philip II
Jerusalem
Dead
Sea
E
20 km.
0
JUDEA
R
T
GAULANITIS E A
N
A
EE
Sea of
IL
L
Galilee
AUR ANITIS
P
0
U
E
Jerusalem
IDUMEA
AUR ANITIS
Herod
the Great
D
A
SAMARIA
N
U
GA
Sea of
Galilee
GALILEE
TR
EA
ITIS
LAN
IT
U
ea
HOUSE OF HEROD
Herod
Antipas
JUDEA
Dead
I D U M E A Sea
0
20 km.
0
20 mi.
Herod Philip
Herod Antipas
Archelaus
2ND GENERATION
1ST GENERATION
He