The Gospel of Matthew - Page 2

and did as the angel of the Lord told him and took
unto him his wife. He knew her not until she brought forth her
firstborn son, Jesus.

2. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of
King Herod, wise men, magi, from the east went to Jerusalem. They said,
One is born King of the Jews. We have seen His star in the east and we
are going to worship Him. When Herod heard this, he was troubled as was
all Jerusalem. Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes
together and demanded to know where Christ would be born. They said, In
Bethlehem of Judaea. It is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem,
in the land of Juda, the least among the princes of Juda, yet out of
thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people.

Herod called the magi to find out the time the star would appear. He
sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the young
child. When you have found Him, bring word to me so I may also go to
worship Him. After they met with the king they departed; and, lo, the
star that they saw in the east went before them until it stood over the
young child.

When they saw the star they rejoiced. The magi went to the place and
saw the young child with Mary, His mother. They bowed down and
worshipped Him. They presented Him with gifts of gold, and
frankincense, and myrrh. Since they were warned by God in a dream that
they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country
by another way.

After they departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in
a dream and said, Arise and take the young child and His mother and
flee into Egypt. Stay there until I bring thee word, for Herod will
seek the young child to destroy Him. Joseph took the young child and
His mother, by night, and departed into Egypt. They remained there
until the death of Herod. This was so it might be fulfilled what was
spoken of the Lord by the prophet: Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Herod realized he was deceived by the magi and became exceedingly
wrathful. He ordered that all the children in Bethlehem and the
surrounding coasts who were aged two years old and under be slayed.
This was based on the timing he was given by the magi. Then the saying
of Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: In Ramah there was heard the
sound of lamentation, weeping, and great mourning. Rachel was weeping
for her children and would not be comforted because they are no longer.

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in
Egypt. The angel said, Arise and take the young child and His mother
and go into the land of Israel. They are now dead who sought the young
child's life. Joseph took the young child and His mother and started
toward Israel. Along