The position of the Gospel according to Matthew as the first of the four gospels in the New Testament reflects both the view that it was the first to be written, a view that goes back to the late second century A.D., and the esteem in which it was held by the church; no other was so frequently quoted in the noncanonical literature of earliest Christianity. 1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men (Greek: magoi) from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2"Where is he who is born King of the Jews? MatthewChapter 2. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. I pray that your eyes will be opened and realize that Bible Prophecy is . For additional help with Bible Study projects we highly recommend www.catholic-saints.info. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him. The church of Matthew, originally strongly Jewish Christian, had become one in which Gentile Christians were predominant. 13 Zerubbabel fathered Abiud, Abiud fathered Eliakim, Eliakim fathered Azor. 14Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. These Old Testament texts led to the interpretation of the magi as kings. In the olden days it had been called Ephrath or Ephratah. Thus the word of the angel will be fulfilled, he will save his people from their sins (Mt 1:21; cf. * [ 2:2 ] We saw his star : it was a common ancient belief that a new star appeared at the time of a ruler's birth. Today, we humbly ask you to defend Catholic Online's independence. It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place: 17 We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn't dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn't be mourners. But he answering, said: Thou sayest it. Version In the Public Domain. He who honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father who hath sent him. While the genealogy shows the continuity of God . 11 and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. The time of the latter is unknown (Mt 24:36, 44), and the disciples are exhorted in various parables to live in readiness for it, a readiness that entails faithful attention to the duties of the interim period (Mt 24:4525:30). 9 When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. He had the title ethnarch (i.e., ruler of a nation) and reigned from 4 B.C. THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE, "The Cypress, and Pine, and Cedar Together" is based on the Orthodox Catholic Church's interpretation of a Messianic prophecy of Christ and His Holy Cross found in Isaiah 60:13 LXX (LXX means the Septuagint Version). The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. Matthew also draws upon the Old Testament story of Balaam, who had prophesied that "A star shall advance from Jacob" ( Nm 24:17 ), though there the star means not an astral phenomenon but the king himself. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. The whole section ends with his declaring that not even the most intimate blood relationship with him counts for anything; his only true relatives are those who do the will of his heavenly Father (Mt 12:4850). Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold . google_ad_slot = "0686168622"; Start for FREE. Righteousness means doing the will of the heavenly Father (Mt 7:21), and his will is proclaimed in a manner that is startling to all who have identified it with the law of Moses. The tensions between Jewish and Gentile Christians there in the time of Paul (see Gal 2:114) in respect to Christian obligation to observe Mosaic law are partially similar to tensions that can be seen between the two groups in Matthews gospel. Genesis 21:2-5 And she conceived and bore a son in her old age, at the time that God had foretold her. . How many Apostles were there? 10They were overjoyed at seeing the star, We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." Isaiah 9:6,7 For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.