Mat 2:16 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 enquired of the wise men.
In the Hebrew culture a baby is from birth until 2 years of age.
A child from age 2 until age 12-13.
At age 12-13 a boy has their Bahmitzvah and he becomes a man.
Yet babe in in Luke 2:12,could be from birth until two years of age.
Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Young child in
Mat 2:8 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.
In the Chinese culture the age of a person begins at conception.
When the baby is born the baby is 9 months of age.
So do you suppose that the wise men came when Jesus was born or AFTER he was born?
Hint: There is a small clue. The star appeared when Jesus was born and Herod asked them when it appeared. Later in the text, we see that it appears again and rests over a HOUSE this time.
Mat 2:7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
Mat 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."
Mat 2:9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Mat 2:11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Notice anything differently here?
Luk 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Luk 2:16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
Luk 2:17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
Luk 2:18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
By the way, Do you know that these wise men from the east were from the region of the Persians and the Medes? How do you suppose they knew of a certain King of the Jews was to be born form an astrological event?
May the Lord our God keep filling you with His ever abounding joy, my brother.
Sal shared ~ By the way, Do you know that these wise men from the east were from the region of the Persians and the Medes? How do you suppose they knew of a certain King of the Jews was to be born form an astrological event?
*** Ester married the King of Persia and became Queen...she was a well learned women and no doubt shared and read to her Kingly Husband of all the Chronicals of the Histories and Prorphesies of her people...xo
Jude says: I believe Jesus was 3 years and 9 months old...
ME: Hi my sister Jude! I hope and pray that your weekend and days of being with the Lord have been over abundantly fruitful in Him.
I believe the Jesus was roughly 2 years old from what Matthew implies. The wise men came after his birth. They saw his star when they were in the east and traveled to find it. When they got to where Jesus was with his mother in a house as opposed to Luke's account from being in a feeding troth. Shepherds told everyone they saw when they saw Jesus. When the wise men came, no one knew of his birth.
Even if we go by Isaiah's prophetic announcement of the Messiah's coming, we have a slight clue. Take a look at Isaiah chapter 7. Although Isaiah was prophesying of the Messiah's birth there, he also was giving a proclamation of what would happen to Israel within the span of two years of his son's birth. Look at the first verse there. It was an announcement that both kings Rezin and Pekah, who tried to take over Jerusalem would be attacked (along with Israel) by the Assyrians within the time of two years. He uses the time span of two years by the verses of Isaiah 7:15-16. In those days they started to feed children solids at the age of two.
Sal shared ~ By the way, Do you know that these wise men from the east were from the region of the Persians and the Medes? How do you suppose they knew of a certain King of the Jews was to be born form an astrological event?
Jude shared: *** Ester married the King of Persia and became Queen...she was a well learned women and no doubt shared and read to her Kingly Husband of all the Chronicals of the Histories and Prorphesies of her people...xo
ME: Pretty darn close, sister! Awesome guess! Esther, Nehemiah, and Ezra are post Babylonian captivity. Ezra and Nehemiah tell of how the decree was sent out by Cyrus, the king Persia, to rebuild the temple and Israel becoming a nation again after 70 years as predicted by Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
How about Daniel? He was taken from Israel in the exile. He also became a great man and showed that his God was an awesome God. He would have been most likely to introduce the gospel message to the Persians and Medes when he was there. And the fact that these wise men noticed a star, which was an astronomical event, shows that these men knew about constellations. Historically the Medes and the Persians are known for their introduction of the stars by way of constellations. If Daniel was there during the captivity he would have taught others of his knowledge from his land. Those wise men would have to be of Jewish descent one way or another in order to have known about the king of the Jews.
By the way, if you want to be blessed by a historical event such as the star of Bethlehem watch this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqhi772VpZE&feature=related
It is a 7 part event but it shows the dates and what the actual star of Bethlehem was. Awesome information and a great show.
I hope and pray that the Lord Jesus Christ be the source of light that gives birth within our lives daily as we spread His child like love to any and all that He brings our way.
Mat 2:16 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 enquired of the wise men.
