The Book of Matthew

by 

J.W.Weeda

Introduction:

The apostle Matthew wrote the book. The book is one of the 4 gospels or the description of our Lord's birth, His 3 years earthly ministry, His dying on the cross, burying and ressurection and  His ascencion into heaven.

Matthew chapter one:

From verse 1 till verse 18 is is about the gynaelogy of our Lord Jesus Christ from Abraham to Joseph. From verse 18 we read about the miraculous conception of Mary and about Joseph's doubts which are satisfied by an angel who declared the name and office of Christ: Jesus is born. 

Matthew chapter 1 verse 1:

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Verse 1: The book of Matthew begins with the book of the generation of Jesus Christ. What is the meaning of a generation? Answer: “How Many Years Is a Generation?” defines a biblical generation as “about thirty years, as one generation will be parents to the next. Here we read the generation of Jesus Christ. The family after men here named. He, Jesus Christ is the son of David and David is the son of Abraham. With Abraham God began His folk and later it is called Israel. In Genesis 12 verse 1, 2 and 3 we read this: Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. David the king of Israel was a descendent of Abraham. In Luke 1 verse 32 we read this: He (that is the Lord Jesus Christ) shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David. In Isaiah 11:1 the prophet tells us far before the Lord Jesus Christ came on earth this: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

Matthew 1 verse 2

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

Verse 2: The son of Abraham when he was 100 years old when he begat Isaac and Sarah his wife was 90 years old. What a miracle of God that they got a son in such a age. Isaac begat Jacob. He begat also Esau but God dealt with Jacob and from him the 12 patriarchs were born and also the 12 tribes of Israel. Jacob begat Judas and his brethren. In Genesis 29 verse 35 we can read about this: And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise theLord: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. The wife of Jacob Leah bare him the son Judah. 

Matthew 1 verse 3

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

Verse 3: This is the line of the chosen people of God, the Jewish folk. It began with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. After Jacob Juda, Phares and Zara of Thamar. Phares begat sons like Esrom and Esrom got a son named Aram. And now the meanings of the Names: Juda means thanksgiving or praise. Phares his son means a breach. Zara means blooming. He got this children of Thamar. The son of Phares was Esrom and that means dart of joy. Aram the son of Esrom refers to the intellect. 

Matthew 1 verse 4
And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

Verse 4: Aram begat Aminadab which means my people are noble. Aminadab got a son Naason. Naason means an ancestor of Christ helper. Salmon the next man means raiment: a garment. 

Matthew 1 verse 5

And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

Verse 5: Salmon got Booz from Rachab his wife. Booz means: quickness. Booz the son of Salmon begat a son of Ruth and his name was Obed. Obed means servant of God. Obed got a son named Jesse means gift. 

Matthew 1 verse 6

And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

Verse 6: Jesse the son of Obed begat David. Jesse had more sons but David was chosen to be king over Israel.  David was anointed by Samuel to be king over the folk Israel. At that moment David was very young and on that time not able to be king but he became it later. The name David means beloved. He was beloved by God.  David got a son of Bathsheba. She was the wife of Uria. David committed adultary with Bathsheba. David let the husband of Bathsheba be killed for this and took Bathsheba as his wife. For this fact God punished him.  David confessed this sins to God.  He deeply regretted these sins. The first son of David and Bathsheba died. Later he begat Solomon of Bathsheba. Solomon means peaceful. Solomon became after David king of Israel. He was the one who builded the temple in Jerusalem. 

Matthew 1 verse 7

And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

Verse 7: Solomon begat Roboam. Roboam means the people are enlarged. Later Roboam became king. Rehoboam did not reach the same level of faithfulness to God as David or even Solomon.Initially, Rehoboam's reign went well despite the sins that divided Israel from Judah. And Roboam got later a son who's name was Abia which means God is my Father. And Abia begat Asa. Asa means doctor and healer. Who was Asa? King Asa was a descendant of David and the third king of the southern kingdom of Judah. He ruled for forty-one years . Read 1 Kings 15:10  and “did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” 2 Chronicles 14:2

Matthew 1 verse 8

 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

Verse 8: King Asa begat a son named Josaphat. This name means Jaweh is judge. He is the son of Asa, and the fourth king of the Kingdom of Judah. He was a good king and faithful worshipper of God who furthered the religious reforms his father initiated. However, to his disgrace, Jehoshaphat made a disastrous alliance with Ahab, King of Israel. You can read this in I Kings 15:24 - 22:50 and 2 Chronicles 17:1 - 21:1. Josaphat's son was Joram. The name Joram means elevated or Jehovah is exalted. Joram or Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah. He began to rule in the fifth year that Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel. Jehoram was 32 years old when he began to rule. He ruled eight years in Jerusalem. And Johoram begat Ozias. The name of Ozias means my power is Yaweh. Ozias,  was King of Juda (809-759 B.C.), son and successor of Amazias. On the latter's death he was chosen king though he was only sixteen years of age  Read 2 Kings 14:21, where, as in chapter 15 also, the name Azarias appears instead of Ozias, probably through a copyist's error;  2 Chronicles 26:1.

Matthew 1 verse 9

And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

Verse 9: And Ozias got a son named Joatham. What is the meaning of Joatham? The perfection of the Lord. Jotham prepared his ways before the Lord; there wasforethought, consideration, and purpose. He was not governed by circumstances; but he carefully arranged his paths according to the will of God. And Joatham's son was Achaz. What does the name Achaz means? He has grasped. Ahaz was an evil king of Judah who became king at the age of 20 and reigned for 4 years with his father, Jotham, from 735 to 731 BC, and 16 years on his own, from 731 to 715 BC. Achaz son was Ezekias: meaning the might of Jehovah. He was also named Hezekiah. In 2 Kings 18:5-6 we read : Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.  He held fast to the LORD and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses.

Matthew 1 verse 10

And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

Verse 10: Hezekiah got a son Manasse: The thirteenth king of Judah, son of Hezekiah, ( 2 Kings 21:1 ) ascended the throne at the age of twelve, and reigned 55 years, from B.C. 608 to 642. Meaning of Manasse is forgetting. This king Manasse got a son whose name was Amon. Amon means Trustworthy; Faithful; Long-Lasting. About Amon the son of Manasse we read in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33 . He was king of Judah. He was an evil king, the son of Manasseh and father of Josiah. Josiah who was he? He did what was right in the sight of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” This is why Josiah is described as walking in all the ways of his father David, not turning to the right or to the left (2 Kings 22:2). Josiah means Yaweh supports

Matthew 1 verse 11

And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

Verse 11: Josias got a son Jechonias and more sons. It was just before the carry away to Babylon. 70 years in captivity what Israel suffered.  Who was he? He wasthe son and successor of King Jehoiakim, and the grandson of King Josiah. Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah meaning "God will fortify". He was one of the last kings of Judah. He became king at age 18, but only reigned for three months. During his reign the armies, of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon besieged the city of Jerusalem.

Matthew 1 verse 12

And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

Verse 12: The 2 tribes Judah.  They were brought to Babylon to be in exile for 70 years. Jechonias who was for very short king of Judah namely 3 months when he was in Babylon to serve the king Nebuchadnezzar. That was really a change for him first to be king and now a slave of another king in a strange country namely Babylon. He got a son whose name was Salathiel which means: I have asked of God. During the Babylonian captivity, Shealtiel was regarded as the second Exilarch(or king-in-exile), following his father. And Salathiel begat Zorobabel which means this: A stranger at Babylon, dispersion of confusion.

Matthew 1 verse 13

And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

Verse 13: Zorobabel who was a stranger in Babylon got a son who's name was Abiud. Abiud means Father of praise. All praise was and is to God. He was a son or grandson of Zerubbabel, and member of the Davidic line. Abihud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim the son of Abiud means God will establish; God rises. And Eliakim got a son who's name is Azor. Azor means 'helper'. He was an ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is mentioned as the son of Eliakim and the great-grandson of Zerubbabel; he is the father of Zadok.

Matthew 1 verse 14

And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;

Verse 14: Azor which means helper got a son Sadoc. Who was Sadoc? His name means right; straight; just; righteous; upright; good; justified; vindicated. He was ancestor of Ezra. He was a descendant of Zerubbabel. And Sadoc got a son who's name was Achim. Achim means presumably"he will make" or "he will set up" in Hebrew. And Achim begat Eliud which means God is my praise. The Bible doesn't provide further information about his life, deeds, or circumstances that surround him.

Matthew 1 verse 15

 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

Verse 15: Eliud got a son Eleazar which means this : God helps, God has helped. He is  a relatively unknown figure in the Bible, he represents an important link in the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ. His mention in the Gospel of Matthew bridges generations and contributes to the complete picture of Jesus's lineage. Eleazar got also a son who's Name is Matthan: Matthan is identified in Matthew 1:15 as the son of Eleazar and the father of Jacob. Interestingly, his grandson through Jacob is Joseph, the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus Christ. This positions Matthan in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ our Lord. The name means giving. And Matthan begat Jacob. Jacob means "to supplant, It can also mean "may God protect.

Matthew 1 verse 16

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Verse 16: This Jacob son of Matthan got a son who's Name was Joseph. Did Joseph know Jesus was the son of God? He does not realize, yet, that this child is Christ, and that she is pregnant by a miracle of the Holy Spirit. God interrupts Joseph's honorable plans to divorce Mary, and tells him through an angel in a dream not to fear taking her as a wife and that the child is from God. He became the husband of Mary and here we read that from Mary was born our Lord Jesus Christ. What does the Name Jesus means? The Hebrew Name is  Jeshua, or Joshua, or again Jehoshua, meaning 'God is salvation. What means Christ? "anointed one". The word is derived from the Greek verb χρίω (chrī́ō), meaning "to anoint."

Matthew 1 verse 17

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

Verse 17: From Abraham until Christ are 42 generations. How long is generation in the Bible? Answer: In Deuteronomy 1:35 and 2:14 stands that a generation is a period ofthirty-eight years.” Almost 40 years. Thus from Abraham until Christ is a period of 1596 years! Almost 16 ages long!

Matthew 1 verse 18

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Verse 18: Here in this verse we read clearly that the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ was different from that of any other Jewish boy named in the genealogy. What we here read in this verse is that it is pointed out  that Joseph did not begat Jesus Christ. Joseph was the spouse of Mary of whom was born our Lord Jesus who is called Christ. Our Lord was born of an earthly mother without the need of an earthly father. This is known as the doctrine of the Virgin birth. Jesus Christ existed before Mary and Joseph or any of the ancestors lived. If our Lord Jesus Christ were conceived  and born just as any other bay then He could not be God. So Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost. In Luke 1 verse 35 the angel said to Mary this: And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Matthew 1 verse 19

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

Verse 19: Joseph the spouse of Mary. It is written here that he was a just man. He didn't believe that Mary his wife was pregnant without him but the Holy Ghost had accomplished this. This was unbelievable for him and he wanted to divorce from her because this was a shame and if the public knew it then. So in his mind he was putting her away 

Matthew 1 verse 20

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Verse 20: Joseph thought about it. With other words he worried about this. But the angel of the Lord appeard unto him in a dream. Under the previous dispensation our Lord handled with his folk Israel and this was accompanied with dreams, signs and wonders because the Jews desired signs. In I Corinthians 1 verse 22 we read this: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. God made under this dispensation a lot known to persons by angels. So also Joseph in a dream and the angel of the Lord said to Joseph this: Joseph thou son of David fear not. You can imagine that everyone under that dispensation who saw a angel was afraid to die. The angel said fear not Joseph to take Mary unto thee thy wife and now it comes that the angel said to him that wich is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. It could not be otherwise because the Lord Jesus Christ was and is God Himself without sin. So it could not in a another way like this. And the angel continued to tell

Matthew 1 verse 21

And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His Name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.

Verse 21: She shall bring forth in the world a Son. The Son of God and thou shalt call His Name Jesus. Jesus means God is salvation. He shall save His people Israel from their sins. That was and is the purpose. We read in Galatians 4 verse 4 and 5:  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. In the first place He came for His people to save them from their sins. And did they believe Him when He came to them? In John 1 verse 11 we read: He came unto His own, and His own received him not. His own is the folk Israel, His people. 

Matthew 1 verse 22

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Verse 22: Concerning Gods Son Jesus Christ Whom He would send to earth and that He was born by the virgin Mary was foretold by the prophets because the Lord hath spoken through them about this!!

Matthew 1 verse 23

 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Verse 23: Behold. This verse is also written in Isaiah 7 verse 14 where it says this: Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Through  the wife of Joseph Mary the virgin was and is our Lord Jesus Christ born. Through the Holy Ghost God accomplished this. 

Matthew 1 verse 24:

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Verse 24: Joseph woke up from his sleep where he had seen the angel of the Lord who had urged to take Mary as his wife and he did this after he woke up from his sleep. It was clear now for Joseph too. 

Matthew 1 verse 25:

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Verse 25: Joseph and Mary had no sexual contact till Mary had brought forth her firstborn. And the called their Son Jesus as the angel of the Lord had told them to do. Later Joseph and Mary got sons and daughters after their own image (sin nature) Later sure 2 of their sons became believers in Christ like James and Jude. 

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Matthew chapter 2

Matthew 2 verse 1:

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Verse 1: In the time the wise men came to Jerusalem our Lord Jesus Christ was with Joseph and Mary still in Bethlehem. Now in a house. These wise men thought that he was born in Jerusalem . They came from the east. The Bible doesn't say exactly where they came from. Anyway they came in Jerusalem in the days of Herod the king. Who was this man Herod? He was also called Herod the Great. His father was named Antipater and was of the stock of Edomite, the descendants of Esau. They occupied a southern district of Palestine known as the Negeb. These people embraced the Jewish religion. They were called half Jews by the real Jews. Herod was appointed procurator of Galilee. He was a sort of king but not originally Jew but had his palace in Jerusalem. He reconstructed the temple in Jerusalem. He had a passion for architecture and monuments. He was a cruel man. The wise men didn't know this and thought that Herod knew that a special baby was born who was a king, the King of the Jews. 

Matthew 2 verse 2:

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Verse 2: Thus these wise men asked Herod the king where is he that is born King of the Jews? They had seen his star in the east and came to Jerusalem to worship Him. They didn't know that He, our Lord was born in Bethlehem because they had never seen the land of Palestine. 

Matthew 2 verse 3

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Verse 3: We see here in this verse the reaction of Herod the king. He heard the things the wise men told him. He became troubled in his spirit. You can imagine Herod must be very shocked. Not only he was troubled: all Jerusalem with him. This had so great effect on all the inhabitans of Jerusalem! How could it be that there was born a child who is King of the Jews? We didn't know this. They were shocked by this news

Matthew 2 verse 4

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Verse 4: King Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people. And King Herod give them the order to find out where Christ should be born. This was a sign that King Herod was not informed that Christ was born. He could have known this but with all dictators and that was Herod also they thought only of power and might for themselves. He was very egocentric and suspicious. Maybe also paranoid. For sure he was a killer of men and used by the devil. 

Matthew 2 verse 5

 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Verse 5: These chief priests and scribes of the people could gave king Herod a answer: In Bethlehem of Judaea because that was written by the prophet. The Jews had the Scriptures of God like the Scriptures of the prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and others. In that Scriptures they found the answer for the king. Why the king Herod not himself searched the scriptures about this birth of Christ? Maybe he was to proud. Anyway he didn't believe in God. Why should he read the Scriptures? 

Matthew 2 verse 6

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Verse 6: The prophet was Micah who had foretold this which should happen later: But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. So our Lord Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem Ephratah. Now king Herod knew where this other king was born who would to be ruler in Israel. That was a shock for king Herod. 

Matthew 2 verse 7

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

Verse 7: Herod knew now where this Christ was born and he called the wise men and they only stood alone with him and he asked them eagerly when they had seen the star. when the star appeared on which time.

Matthew 2 verse 8

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Verse 8: King Herod send these wise men to Bethlehem and said. Go now to Bethlehem and search for that young child very carefully. When you have found the child come back to say where I can find this child and I will come and worship him too like you will do. Was it to really to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. No it wasn't. He wanted to kill the Savior of the world. But these wise men knew not that this king in Jerusalem was so cruel. Later they came to know. 

Matthew 2 verse 9

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Verse 9: So these wise men had listened to the king and departed to Bethlehem and again the star which they had seen in the east went before them to let them know where the child was because the star stood over where the young child was. Our Lord Jesus Christ was at that moment not a baby anymore but a child and about 2 years old. Joseph, Mary and the Lord Jesus Christ were not in the stable anymore but in a house they lived in Bethlehem. 

Matthew 2 verse 10

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Verse 10: These wise men saw the star again and were so glad that they rejoiced with a exceeding great joy. It was not for nothing that they had searched for the Child. And now they were very near the place where the Lord was to worship Him. 

Matthew 2 verse 11

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Verse 11: The wise men came into the house and saw the Lord Jesus Christ as young child with Mary his mother. They felled down and worshipped Him. They knew it was the Lord Who would reign over Israel and would be their King. So they had gifts for Him: Gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold stands for the Lord's Jesus Christ the King status, Frankincense for His divinity and Myrrh for His incarnation. Also the last gift is a reference to His death: myrrh was a precious resin, the dead were rubbed with myrrh ointment. 

Matthew 2 verse 12

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Verse 12: These wise men slept that night somewhere and God warned these men in a dream: do not return to Herod the king in Jerusalem but depart from here through another way to your own country. And they did this. They didn't return to Herod to tell him where the child was. The plan of king Herod was to kill the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only Him but all the Jewish boys of that age. Herod's anger was because of his pride. he couldn't permit anyone to get the best of him. That was the reason of killing the boy babies and he hoped that by the killing the Lord Jesus Christ would also be killed. Herod  was a cruel man. 

Matthew 2 verse 13

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Verse 13: The wise men departed from the house where Joseph, Mary and the Lord Jesus Christ as child were. The Lord after this departure appeared to Joseph in a dream. He said to Joseph. Arise, take the young Child Jesus and His mother Mary your wife and flee to Egypt. Wait there when I tell you to go back to the land Palestine. King Herod is seeking for Him and want to kill Him. So the life of the Lord Jesus Christ was in danger and God knew this. He knows everything. He is omniscient! So Joseph, Mary and the child the Lord Jesus Christ flee to Egypt to live there for a time and to wait for the moment God would tell them to go back. 

Matthew 2 verse 14

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

Verse 14: Joseph arose from his sleep. Before they left Joseph would have explained to Mary and the Lord Jesus that they had to flee to Egypt because king Herod would come and his plan was to kill the Lord Jesus. So they departed by night. This was the savest travel because during the day to flee was more dangerous because then they would be recognized. During the night no one could recognize them. So they departed into Egypt. 

Matthew 2 verse 15

 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Verse 15: Joseph, Mary and our Lord Jesus Christ were in Egypt until the death of king Herod. After that God's prophecy about His son to call Him out of Egypt became reality. But first we read in the coming verses what happened after Joseph, Mary and the Lord as child fled to Egypt. 

Matthew 2 verse 16

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

Verse 16: Herod became very angry when he saw that the wise men never came back to him where he could find the Lord Jesus Christ. He saw that he was mocked cheated of the wise men. He became so angry that he gave the assignment to slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem, the boundaries of whole Bethlehem. All the children of two years old and under the two years were killed by king Herod. He had calculated the time of the wise men when they had seen the star in the east until the time they asked him where they could find the king of Israel. That all the children were killed was an unprecedented drama. What a cruel king. He wished no other person on the throne in Jerusalem. With this killing he hoped to have killed also the Lord Jesus Christ but it wasn't. 

Matthew 2 verse 17

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

Verse 17: Jeremiah the prophet had spoken about this killing of all the children from 2 years and under 2 years in Bethlehem. We can read this verse in Jeremiah 31 verse 5 and in the next verse it is repeated. 

Matthew 2 verse 18

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Verse 18: The first mention of Bethlehem  in scripture is in connection with the death of Rachel Jacob's favorite wife. Rachel gave birth to a son whom she named Benoni which means son of my sorrow. Jacob renamed his son Benjamin: son of my right hand. Both of these names relate to the Lord Jesus Christ for He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and now He is the Son of God's right hand. Jeremiah's prophecy was given about 600 years before Christ was born. Now it was Rachel  who was weeping in Ramah. She represented the mothers of Israel who were weeping  because their children were no more because they were killed. Bethlehem  reminded few people of the birthplace of the Lord Jesus Christ.