SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:3
Y oyendo esto el rey Herodes, se turb, y toda Jerusaln con l.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:3
Verse 3. When Herod-heard these things, he was troubled] Herod's consternation was probably occasioned by the agreement of the account of the magi, with an opinion predominant throughout the east, and particularly in Judea, that some great personage would soon make his appearance, for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies; and would take upon himself universal empire. SUETONIUS and TACITUS, two Roman historians, mention this. Their words are very remarkable:-Percrebuerat Oriente toto, vetus et constans opinio, esse in fatis, ut eo tempore Judaea profecti rerum potirentur. Id de imperatare Romano, quantum eventu postea predictum patuit, Judaei ad se trahentes, rebellarunt. SUETON. VESP. "An ancient and settled persuasion prevailed throughout the east, that the fates had decreed some to proceed from Judea, who should attain universal empire. This persuasion, which the event proved to respect the Roman emperor, the Jews applied to themselves, and therefore rebelled." The words of Tacitus are nearly similar:-Pluribus persuasio inerat, antiquis sacerdotum literis contineri, eo ipso tempore fore, ut valesceret Oriens, profectique Judaea rerum potirentur.
Quae ambages Vespasianum ac Titum praedixerant.
"Many were persuaded, that it was contained in the ancient books of their priests, that at that very time the east should prevail: and that some should proceed from Judea and possess the dominion. It was Vespasian and Titus that these ambiguous prophecies predicted." Histor. v.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. When Herod the king had heard these things , etc.] That is, the report made by the wise men of the appearance of an unusual star, and of the birth of the king of the Jews, which they affirmed with all certainty, without any hesitation, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him . Herod was troubled, his mind was disturbed and made uneasy, fearing he should be deposed, and lose his kingdom, to which he knew he had no just right and claim, being a foreigner; and all Jerusalem, i.e. all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who heard of this, were also troubled, and showed a concern at it with him; either feignedly, as knowing his jealousy, suspicion and cruelty; or in reality, because of tumults, commotions and wars, they might fear would arise upon this, having lost the true notion of the Messiah, as a spiritual king, saviour and redeemer. And hereby was fulfilled, in part, the famous prophecy in ( Genesis 49:10) according to the sense of one of the Targumists on it, who paraphrases it after this manner; Kings and governors shall not cease from the house of Judah, nor scribes, who teach the law, from his seed, until the time that the king Messiah, the least of his sons, comes, and because of him, aymm[ wsmyty , the people shall melt. that is, they shall be distressed and troubled, their hearts shall melt like wax within them; which was their present case, though perhaps the paraphrast may design the Gentiles.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Those who live at the greatest distance from the means of grace ofte use most diligence, and learn to know the most of Christ and his salvation. But no curious arts, or mere human learning, can direct me unto him. We must learn of Christ by attending to the word of God, as light that shineth in a dark place, and by seeking the teaching of the Holy Spirit. And those in whose hearts the day-star is risen, to giv them any thing of the knowledge of Christ, make it their business to worship him. Though Herod was very old, and never had shown affectio for his family, and was not himself likely to live till a new-bor infant had grown up to manhood, he began to be troubled with the drea of a rival. He understood not the spiritual nature of the Messiah' kingdom. Let us beware of a dead faith. A man may be persuaded of man truths, and yet may hate them, because they interfere with his ambition, or sinful indulgences. Such a belief will make him uneasy and the more resolved to oppose the truth and the cause of God; and he may be foolish enough to hope for success therein.
Greek Textus Receptus
ακουσας 191 5660 V-AAP-NSM δε 1161 CONJ ηρωδης 2264 N-NSM ο 3588 T-NSM βασιλευς 935 N-NSM εταραχθη 5015 5681 V-API-3S και 2532 CONJ πασα 3956 A-NSF ιεροσολυμα 2414 N-NSF μετ 3326 PREP αυτου 846 P-GSM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:3 {He was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him} (etaracqe kai pasa ierosoluma met' autou). Those familiar with the story of Herod the Great in Josephus can well understand the meaning of these words. Herod in his rage over his family rivalries and jealousies put to death the two sons of Mariamne (Aristobulus and Alexander), Mariamne herself, and Antipater, another son and once his heir, besides the brother and mother of Mariamne (Aristobulus, Alexandra) and her grandfather John Hyrcanus. He had made will after will and was now in a fatal illness and fury over the question of the Magi. He showed his excitement and the whole city was upset because the people knew only too well what he could do when in a rage over the disturbance of his plans. "The foreigner and usurper feared a rival, and the tyrant feared the rival would be welcome" (Bruce). Herod was a hated Idumaean.
