Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 10am and 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
CLASS THREE: Wise Men Seek the King
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. READ / LISTEN to MATTHEW 2:1–23
a. What are your initial impressions or questions? Notable translation differences?
III. Gospel Accounts found only in Matthew:
a. The five marked with an * are fulfillments of O.T. prophesy. The other four would be of particular interest to the Jews of Matthew’s day.
i. (1:20-24) Joseph’s Dream*
ii. (2:1-12) The Magi’s Visit
iii. (2:13-15) Escape to Egypt*
iv. (2:16-18) The Slaughter of the Children*
v. (27:3-10) The Death of Judas*
vi. (27:19) The Dream of Pilate’s Wife
vii. (27:52) The Other Resurrections
viii. (28:11-15) The Bribery of the Guards
ix. (28:19-20) The Baptism emphasis in the Great Commission*
IV. The Magi arrive in Jerusalem (2:1-2)
a. The magi (wise men) were probably from Persia or Babylon and they mixed Astrology and Black magic with Zoroastrianism (a monotheistic pre-Islamic religion of ancient Persia founded by Zoroaster in the 6th century BC.)
b. Magi are mentioned in Daniel 2:2, 4-5, 10 and in Acts 13:6-10.
c. More than 3 wise men arrived in Jerusalem.
d. The wise men’s knowledge of this star may have roots in Numbers 22-24 and Balaam’s prophesy. Balaam was summoned from the east. (22:5-6, 22-35; 24:16-19)
i. Also Isaiah 60:1-6
e. Saw the star “from the east” probably means “at it’s rising.”
f. Why do the magi want to find the Christ child? Why is this significant?
V. King Herod and All Jerusalem Disturbed by the Visit (2:3-8)
a. Why would news from the magi disturb everyone?
b. What is significant about the scribes and chief priests knowing where Messiah would be born and Micah’s prophesy concerning it?
c. Matthew paraphrases Micah 5:2-5a. He highlights Judah and a shepherd. Why?
d. (vv. 7-8) Why does Herod want the Magi to find the child?
VI. The Magi Led by a Star to Mary and the Christ Child (2:9-12)
a. Reminiscent of the cloud and pillar of fire of Exodus 13:21-22, the star led the magi on their exodus from “the east” to the Child King.
b. What is significant about finding Mary and Jesus in a house? How old was Jesus?
c. How did the wise men greet Jesus? What is the meaning of the gifts they brought?
d. Why would they need a warning about Herod?
VII. The Flight into Egypt (2:13-15)
a. It was not uncommon for Jews in Jesus’ time to flee to Egypt for political refuge or other reasons. There may have been a community of about a million Jews in and near Alexandria at that time.
b. Historians know that Herod died in 4 B.C. How does that give us a clue to when Jesus was born?
c. (vs. 15) This prophesy is from Hosea 11. It looks back to the Exodus. Matthew is showing that this prophesy also applies forward to calling God’s Son from Egypt.
i. See also Numbers 24:8
VIII. The Massacre of the Male Children (2:16-18)
a. Why did Herod choose males who were two years old and younger?
i. Demographers relate that there were probably about 2 dozen boys killed.
b. The prophesy quoted here is from Jeremiah 31:15 but Matthew most likely assumed his Jewish readers would make the connection with Jeremiah 31:16-17.
IX. The Holy Family Settles in Nazareth (2:19-23)
a. The Angel’s words are almost exactly what the Lord told Moses in Exodus 4:19.
b. (vs. 23) There is no specific prophesy about this but rather Matthew is alluding to a theme in the O.T. known as the “Branch prophesies.” The Hebrew consonants nzr (for branch) also are shared by the words Nazareth and Nazarene. The prophesies of Isaiah 4:2; 11:1 and Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15 tell of a righteous descendant of David whose wise and just rule would be empowered by the spirit and who would bring salvation to Judah.
X. Application
a. It’s possible for people to know the bible but not have any heart knowledge of the Savior. (James 1:22)
b. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for people of all nations and race. (Matthew 28:19-20)
c. We can joyfully serve the Lord, even in dark and difficult times. (James 1:2-3)
Final Comments, Questions. Close in Prayer
Next Week: Ministry of John the Baptist - Read Matthew 3:1-17 to prepare.
