Matthew 2

Matthew 2:1-12

  1. Who were the wise men? (Daniel 2:12 *”For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.”* , Acts 13:6 *”And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain {1} sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus; {1) Gr Magus ; as in Mt 2:1, 7, 16}”*
  2. How many were there? What does this mean to you?
  3. Why was Herod concerned? What was Herod like?
  4. Prophesy relative to the birth place of the Messiah Verse 5,6 and Micah 5:2
  5. What was the Wise Men’s reaction having seen the star?
  6. What was their reaction having seen the child?
  7. Why did the Wise Men take another path? Would you have done the same?
  8. Describe the nature and character of the Wise men – refer to verses here to be specific

Matthew 2:13-18

  1. What guided Joseph to leave Egypt?
  2. What was Joseph’s reaction to the message?
  3. Prophecy fulfilled – Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt”
  4. What was Herod’s reaction to the Wise Men’s actions? What do you think motivated him?
  5. What is our first feeling and then reaction when things don’t go the way you expect or plan?
  6. What do you think of Herod’s resolution to the Messiah problem?
  7. Why do you think that Herod didn’t do this first when he heard of the birth? Why did he wait until after the Wise Men didn’t return?
  8. Verse 15 compare with Jeremiah 31:15 “Thus saith Jehovah: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children; she refuseth to be comforted for her children, because they are not.”

Matthew 2:19-23

  1. What guided Joseph to return to Israel?
  2. How long did it take for Joseph to do this? Was he distracted, uncertain, confused?
  3. What happened that sent Joseph into Galilee?
  4. Isaiah 11:1 – Refers to Branch – also Nazarene in Hebrew.