A King is Born
Mark 4:35-41

The Visit of the Wise Men

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise mena from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it roseb and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The Flight to Egypt

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Herod Kills the Children

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

The Return to Nazareth

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Parallel Verses for Matthew 2:4-6

Book, Chapter, Verse	Theme of the Verse
Matthew 2:4-6	Fulfillment of prophecy
Micah 5:2	Birth of ruler
Isaiah 9:6	Coming of Messiah
Luke 2:4	Journey to Bethlehem

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“and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, ‘n Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet. And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

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Matthew 2:4-6 highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy regarding the birth of the Messiah. King Herod, troubled by the news of a new king, consults the chief priests and scribes to pinpoint the location of the Messiah's birth. Their response points to Bethlehem, in line with the prophecy from Micah 5:2, which foretold that a ruler would emerge from this small town to shepherd God's people. This passage underscores the divine orchestration behind the events of Jesus' birth and reveals how Jesus, though born humbly, was destined to fulfill God's plan as the promised ruler and savior.

Spiritual Significance of Matthew 2:4-6

The spiritual significance of Matthew 2:4-6 lies in God's sovereign control over the unfolding of salvation history. In these verses, the religious leaders, despite their knowledge of Scripture, fail to recognize the true significance of the Messiah’s birth. This passage emphasizes that Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem was not by chance but part of God's divine plan, fulfilling prophecy. Spiritually, it invites believers to recognize the deeper purpose behind Jesus’ coming, not just as a historical event but as a fulfillment of God's promise to send a Savior. It calls Christians to align their understanding of Christ’s mission with Scripture's truth.

Historical Significance of Matthew 2:4-6

Historically, Matthew 2:4-6 connects the birth of Jesus to the fulfillment of Jewish messianic prophecies, specifically from Micah 5:2, and underscores the political and religious climate of the time. King Herod, threatened by the news of a new king, consults Jewish religious leaders to determine where the Messiah would be born. This interaction reveals the tension between Herod’s reign and the expected arrival of a divinely ordained ruler. The mention of Bethlehem, a small and unassuming town, contrasts with the grand expectations for the Messiah, highlighting God's tendency to work through humble beginnings to fulfill His plan.

Literary Significance of Matthew 2:4-6

The literary significance of Matthew 2:4-6 lies in its use of prophecy to validate Jesus' messianic identity and establish a connection to Old Testament Scriptures. By quoting Micah 5:2, Matthew emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s promises, drawing a clear line between the Jewish prophecies and the birth of Jesus. The contrast between Herod’s power and Bethlehem’s humility also creates a dramatic tension, highlighting the unexpected nature of God’s plan. Matthew’s narrative style reinforces themes of divine orchestration and the fulfillment of prophecy, using references to Scripture not only to inform but to deepen the reader's understanding of Jesus' purpose.

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Verse	Theme
Micah 5:2	Prophecy of the Messiah's birthplace in Bethlehem 1 3
John 7:42	Christ to come from Bethlehem, David's town 3
Luke 2:4-7	Jesus' birth in Bethlehem 3
1 Samuel 16:1	God sending Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint David 3
Ruth 4:11	Bethlehem's significance in Israel's history 3
1 Chronicles 11:6	David's connection to Bethlehem 3
Isaiah 9:6-7	Prophecy of a child born to rule 3
Jeremiah 23:5-6	Promise of a righteous Branch from David's line 3
Zechariah 9:9	Prophecy of a humble king coming to Jerusalem 3
Numbers 24:17	Prophecy of a star coming out of Jacob 3
Genesis 49:10	Prophecy of the scepter not departing from Judah 3
Psalm 2:6	God's king installed on Zion 3
Isaiah 11:1-2	Prophecy of a shoot from Jesse's stem 3
Ezekiel 34:23-24	Promise of one shepherd, God's servant David 3
2 Samuel 5:2	God's appointment of David as shepherd of Israel 3

This table presents parallel verses that relate to the themes found in Matthew 2:4-6, including prophecies about the Messiah's birthplace, lineage, and role as a ruler and shepherd of Israel

Prayer based on Matthew 2:1-23

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for Your perfect plan, revealed through the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. As the chief priests and teachers confirmed the prophecy, we marvel at Your faithfulness in fulfilling Your word15.

Lord Jesus, You are the ruler who shepherds Your people Israel5. We praise You for Your loving guidance and care. Help us to trust in Your leadership, knowing that You watch over us with the tenderness of a shepherd6.

We are in awe of Your humility, choosing to be born in Bethlehem, the "house of bread"4. As the Bread of Life, nourish our souls and sustain us with Your presence8. May we hunger for You above all else.

Father, we are grateful for the significance You placed on Bethlehem6. From this small town, You brought forth the Savior of the world. Remind us that You use the humble and lowly to accomplish Your great purposes.

Guide us, as You guided the wise men, to seek You diligently3. Give us hearts that rejoice exceedingly when we encounter You. Like the Magi, may we offer You our best – our worship, our devotion, and our very lives.

In the name of Jesus, our Shepherd-King, born in Bethlehem, we pray.

Amen.

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Answers?

1. Why did Herod gather the chief priests and scribes? What was his motivation? (Matthew 2:1-3)

2. How did the religious leaders know where the Christ was to be born? (Micah 5:2)

3. What significance does Bethlehem's small size have in relation to God's plan? (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

4. How does the prophecy of Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah demonstrate God's faithfulness? (John 7:42)

5. In what ways does Jesus fulfill the role of a ruler who will shepherd God's people? (Ezekiel 34:23-24)

6. How does the meaning of Bethlehem ("house of bread") relate to Jesus' mission? (John 6:35)

7. Why might God have chosen a humble town like Bethlehem for the birth of the Messiah? (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)

8. How does the prophecy about Bethlehem connect Jesus to the lineage of David? (2 Samuel 5:2)

9. What implications does the phrase "from ancient times" have regarding the nature of the Messiah? (Isaiah 9:6-7)

10. How does the fulfillment of this prophecy validate Jesus' claim as the Messiah? (Luke 2:4-7)

11. In what ways does the Bethlehem prophecy demonstrate the unity between the Old and New Testaments? (Matthew 5:17-18)

Remember

“ and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, ‘n Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet.”

Never forget

“ And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;”

Amen