Matthew 2:4

Monday, 5 August 2024

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. Matthew 2:4

“And having convened all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ is born” (CG).

In the previous verse, it noted that Herod and all in Jerusalem were troubled at the news of the birth of the King of Israel. Matthew next says, “And having convened all the chief priests.”

The chief priests are those who held the office of the high priest. Aaron was the first high priest, and the designation was to last throughout his life. One could expect this to be true with all subsequent high priests unless he was unable to perform his duties due to health, a state of uncleanness, or something similar.

However, it later came about, especially under the rule of the Romans, that the office of high priest became a political tool. High priests were appointed for a period of time. This is seen, for example, in John 11 where it appears to have been an annual appointment –

“And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.’ 51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.” John 11:49-52

Some believe the term “chief priests” also extends to the leader of the twenty-four courses of priests originally designated by David in 1 Chronicles 24. There is nothing in Scripture to agree with this, but it is a possibility, nonetheless. At this time, it is generally accepted that these chief priests mostly fell under the class known as Sadducees. Next, Matthew says, “and scribes.”

The Greek word is grammateus. It signifies those learned in Jewish law, teachers, town clerks, and so forth. One can see the etymological root of the word grammar in the name. It answers to the Hebrew word saphar, to count, recount, relate, etc. That is the verbal root of sepher, a book or writing document.

These men would speak of the law, maintain the scrolls and parchments, recopy documents, and so forth. It is believed that many of these were of the class known as the Pharisees. These are next noted as “of the people.”

The Pulpit Commentary says, “In the absence of the article before γραμματεῖς [grammateis: scribes] we must take the words, ‘of the people,’ as belonging to both terms. Both classes, chief priests and scribes, served the people.” As such, the information found in Scripture was available to the people concerning whatever matter they desired to know.

For example, concerning the place where the Messiah would be born, it would have been available to any who wanted to search the matter out. As for Herod, Matthew next says, “he inquired of them where the Christ is born.”

The Greek word Christ answers to the Hebrew Messiah. Both mean Anointed One. He is the One prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures that would fulfill all of the messianic promises noted in the Law, Prophets, and Writings.

As for the words “is born,” the Greek is present tense. As such, it is a certainty that it was as the magicians had said. The Christ is born and among His people. Herod had called this gathering of priests and learned men together to determine where the birthplace of this “King of the Jews” was. The magicians from the east had talked about it based on a sign, thus it was certain to have come to pass.

Life application: To this day, there are scribes of the word in the sense that they carefully review source texts, look for texts that were previously unknown, determine exact translations or transliterations of words, seek to understand the exact context of what the word is telling us, and so forth.

One might use the term “scholar.” The word was received, compiled, and kept for the people of Israel to refer to. However, that has continued into the church age. The New Testament was received, compiled, and it has been kept by learned men throughout the millennia.

The vast number of source documents including commentaries, archaeological finds of ancient texts, and continuous training in the original languages has secured and protected the word throughout all of this time.

When erroneous translations are made, they can be identified and called out. When non-canonical documents are brought forth as supposed “additions” to Scripture, they can be dismissed for not bearing the proper safeguarding, transmission, and/or illumination of what is clearly inspired.

All in all, we have a sure word in what is considered by protestant churches as the Holy Bible. The Roman Catholic Church, without sufficient reason, added the apocryphal books into their cannon during the Council of Trent in 1546. This was done in an attempt to justify unjustifiable practices being carried out within the church.

These books, though being important historical documents, are not to be considered inspired. The sixty-six books of the protestant Bible bear the stamp of inspiration in innumerable ways. They reveal the light of God in Christ to His people, and they are given by God to allow us to understand everything necessary to be saved and then to walk faithfully in our salvation.

Let us be grateful to God for His superior word, which is a light and a lamp for our spiritual lives.

Heavenly Father, truly Your word is a great blessing to our souls. We are so thankful to You for those who have received it, compiled it, maintained it, and who also instruct us in it. Because of Your word, we know what You are doing in redemptive history, and we can walk properly before You all our days. Thank You, above all, for Jesus who is so carefully revealed in Your word. Amen.