Mat 2:1...there came wise men from the east...
Besides explaining difficult verses and passages, I will provide helpful information that the average churchgoer is unaware of but should know. The first thing one should know is that no English translation, not one, is the "accurate word of God." All English translations have flaws, errors, bad translations, incorrect English words, and, in some cases, insert made-up words into the translation. While every English translation has problems, it doesn't mean they shouldn't be used. In most English translations, I'd say they are about 90% close enough to the original texts to be relied on. All English translations have good points and bad points. While some translations get a verse or words correct, others are incorrect, or some don't even include the verse(s). It is a good practice to compare different English translations when reading anything in Scripture. I often look at up to 10-15 other translations when I study. When I want to learn an original word in the original language, I hit my word study tools. But it is also advantageous to look at different translations because some translations phrase some verses in a more understandable way. A way that makes more sense or brings a more precise understanding.
Seeing is believing. I will show how different versions translate the first part of Eze 14:9.
NIV And if the prophet is enticed to utter a prophecy, I the LORD have enticed that prophet...
NLT: If a prophet is deceived into giving a message, it is because I, the LORD, have deceived the prophet...
KJV And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet...
NKJV And if the prophet is induced to speak anything, I the LORD have induced that prophet...
NASB But if the prophet is persuaded so that he speaks a word, I, the LORD, have persuaded the prophet...
NASB 1995 But if the prophet is prevailed upon to speak a word, I, the LORD, have prevailed upon that prophet...
ISV Now as to the prophet, if he delivers a message through deceit, I the LORD have deceived that prophet...
NET As for the prophet, if he is made a fool by being deceived into speaking a prophetic word, I, the LORD, have made a fool of that prophet...
TNJB And if the prophet is seduced into saying something, I, Yahweh, shall have seduced that prophet...
Very interesting, yes? The correct meaning of the verse is, If a prophet is deceived (in his mind) and delivers a false message, based on the deception, I, the Lord, deceived that prophet. I will never forget when I started studying 25 years ago when I first read Eze 14:9. When I read that and realized what it meant, it almost knocked me down! God was purposely deceiving the false prophets so that they would give false teaching to the people! Pretty intense!
The Greek text of Lk 2:49 reads like this: that Father I must be. The Greek word for "Father" is pater. In our syntax, the phrase will read, "Why have you sought me out? Don't you know that I must be about my Father's...
The Greek text does not indicate the Father's "what." But, this verse is translated into English translations in one of three ways:
"I must be in my Father's house."
"I must be about my Father's business."
"I must be doing the works of my Father."
Which is correct? And with the verses above, I have shown if I hadn't explained Eze 14:9, which version is correct? Some parts of Scripture can be read. But when you read in the N.T., you need to find out the original meaning. While this will take some effort, don't you want to know the actual meaning of what you read?
The "Magi," "Wise men," was a part of a group of foreign scholars. It was a name given to the intellectual, academic, and scholars of different nations, Media, Persia, Assyria, and Babylonia. Scripture reads "from the East" but doesn't specify which country. It is generally assumed that they came from Persia. The Magi had elvolved from mere soothsayers, diviners, magicians, and gods' oracles, as seen in Daniel, into a deep study of their religions and other religions, studying the sacred writings. They also investigated other countries' governments, history, and cultures to advise their kings. However, they did continue with astrology along with astronomy and some types of metaphysical practices. They were held in high regard by all cultures.
This group was very familiar with Jewish Scriptures and aware of the prophecies of the coming Jewish Messiah. There was also a Gentile prophecy among the different groups of Magi about a coming Savior for the entire world. The "star" wasn't a real star or a comet; it behaved utterly differently than a star or comet. I don't think it was miles high. It was light, a part of God's glory. I am positive that only the Magi could see this light. In a way unknown to us, when the Magi first saw the light, they knew it meant the Messiah had been born. Travel in those days was slow, so it took the Magi anywhere from four to six months to arrive in Jerusalem.
Forget the idea that three solitary Magi traveled to Jerusalem. The Magi were members of the court. They would have traveled in splendor with an entourage of servants and many soldiers for protection, as travelers back then always had the possibility of encountering bands of criminals, raiders, or enemy soldiers. And also, forget the sappy scene of the Magi arriving at the manger shortly after the birth of Jesus. The "star" led them to a house (Mat 2:11), and Jesus could have been at least two years old. (Mat 2:16) And no, we don't know how many Magi came or their names.
The gifts the Magi brought were valuable. They were giving gifts to a king, after all! At the same time, they knew the Messiah would not be an adult living in a palace with a treasury. So the amount would have been considerably smaller. They had probably paid for the gifts out of their wealth. Some believe that the gifts made the small family extremely wealthy, enough wealth to last and fund Jesus while traveling around teaching until his death. We don't know how much the gifts were worth, but we do know that the family was able to support themselves during their exile in Egypt. Jesus was not wealthy. (Mat 8:19-20) Jesus didn't travel with a tent, or servants, as he would have if he had wealth. Jesus and the disciples relied on people opening up their homes. I'm sure they spent many nights out in the open. Many people donated money to Jesus during his ministry. If Jesus had been wealthy, the corrupt religious leaders would have welcomed him openly. Most of those who believed in him were poor. They would have rejected Jesus because they knew how the wealthy Pharisees and scribes attained their wealth. The Sadducees were of the affluent class and, as ardent supporters of Rome, were allowed to keep getting richer as they controlled all activities in the Temple (John 2:13-16, Mat 21:12-13.) As a group, the Sadducees were the wealthiest in Jerusalem.
The Herod at the time of the birth of Jesus was the first Herod we encounter in Scripture, known as Herod the Great. Herod was known for his great building projects, including the Temple. He was also known for his brutality, having killed his wife, Mariamme, their two sons, her brother, her father, and a number of his ten wives. And the slaughter of children (Mat 2:16)
And he was known for being extremely suspicious of anybody he considered a threat or adversary. The danger of a "new king" immediately put Herod in fear. What can only be described as the hand of God, Herod, who would typically send some spies and undercover soldiers to follow the Magi, and when the coast was clear, would have had Jesus and his parents killed, didn't even think about doing this.
Besides explaining difficult verses and passages, I will provide helpful information that the average churchgoer is unaware of but should know. The first thing one should know is that no English translation, not one, is the "accurate word of God." All English translations have flaws, errors, bad translations, incorrect English words, and, in some cases, insert made-up words into the translation. While every English translation has problems, it doesn't mean they shouldn't be used. In most English translations, I'd say they are about 90% close enough to the original texts to be relied on. All English translations have good points and bad points. While some translations get a verse or words correct, others are incorrect, or some don't even include the verse(s). It is a good practice to compare different English translations when reading anything in Scripture. I often look at up to 10-15 other translations when I study. When I want to learn an original word in the original language, I hit my word study tools. But it is also advantageous to look at different translations because some translations phrase some verses in a more understandable way. A way that makes more sense or brings a more precise understanding.
Seeing is believing. I will show how different versions translate the first part of Eze 14:9.
NIV And if the prophet is enticed to utter a prophecy, I the LORD have enticed that prophet...
NLT: If a prophet is deceived into giving a message, it is because I, the LORD, have deceived the prophet...
KJV And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet...
NKJV And if the prophet is induced to speak anything, I the LORD have induced that prophet...
NASB But if the prophet is persuaded so that he speaks a word, I, the LORD, have persuaded the prophet...
NASB 1995 But if the prophet is prevailed upon to speak a word, I, the LORD, have prevailed upon that prophet...
ISV Now as to the prophet, if he delivers a message through deceit, I the LORD have deceived that prophet...
NET As for the prophet, if he is made a fool by being deceived into speaking a prophetic word, I, the LORD, have made a fool of that prophet...
TNJB And if the prophet is seduced into saying something, I, Yahweh, shall have seduced that prophet...
Very interesting, yes? The correct meaning of the verse is, If a prophet is deceived (in his mind) and delivers a false message, based on the deception, I, the Lord, deceived that prophet. I will never forget when I started studying 25 years ago when I first read Eze 14:9. When I read that and realized what it meant, it almost knocked me down! God was purposely deceiving the false prophets so that they would give false teaching to the people! Pretty intense!
The Greek text of Lk 2:49 reads like this: that Father I must be. The Greek word for "Father" is pater. In our syntax, the phrase will read, "Why have you sought me out? Don't you know that I must be about my Father's...
The Greek text does not indicate the Father's "what." But, this verse is translated into English translations in one of three ways:
"I must be in my Father's house."
"I must be about my Father's business."
"I must be doing the works of my Father."
Which is correct? And with the verses above, I have shown if I hadn't explained Eze 14:9, which version is correct? Some parts of Scripture can be read. But when you read in the N.T., you need to find out the original meaning. While this will take some effort, don't you want to know the actual meaning of what you read?
The "Magi," "Wise men," was a part of a group of foreign scholars. It was a name given to the intellectual, academic, and scholars of different nations, Media, Persia, Assyria, and Babylonia. Scripture reads "from the East" but doesn't specify which country. It is generally assumed that they came from Persia. The Magi had elvolved from mere soothsayers, diviners, magicians, and gods' oracles, as seen in Daniel, into a deep study of their religions and other religions, studying the sacred writings. They also investigated other countries' governments, history, and cultures to advise their kings. However, they did continue with astrology along with astronomy and some types of metaphysical practices. They were held in high regard by all cultures.
This group was very familiar with Jewish Scriptures and aware of the prophecies of the coming Jewish Messiah. There was also a Gentile prophecy among the different groups of Magi about a coming Savior for the entire world. The "star" wasn't a real star or a comet; it behaved utterly differently than a star or comet. I don't think it was miles high. It was light, a part of God's glory. I am positive that only the Magi could see this light. In a way unknown to us, when the Magi first saw the light, they knew it meant the Messiah had been born. Travel in those days was slow, so it took the Magi anywhere from four to six months to arrive in Jerusalem.
Forget the idea that three solitary Magi traveled to Jerusalem. The Magi were members of the court. They would have traveled in splendor with an entourage of servants and many soldiers for protection, as travelers back then always had the possibility of encountering bands of criminals, raiders, or enemy soldiers. And also, forget the sappy scene of the Magi arriving at the manger shortly after the birth of Jesus. The "star" led them to a house (Mat 2:11), and Jesus could have been at least two years old. (Mat 2:16) And no, we don't know how many Magi came or their names.
The gifts the Magi brought were valuable. They were giving gifts to a king, after all! At the same time, they knew the Messiah would not be an adult living in a palace with a treasury. So the amount would have been considerably smaller. They had probably paid for the gifts out of their wealth. Some believe that the gifts made the small family extremely wealthy, enough wealth to last and fund Jesus while traveling around teaching until his death. We don't know how much the gifts were worth, but we do know that the family was able to support themselves during their exile in Egypt. Jesus was not wealthy. (Mat 8:19-20) Jesus didn't travel with a tent, or servants, as he would have if he had wealth. Jesus and the disciples relied on people opening up their homes. I'm sure they spent many nights out in the open. Many people donated money to Jesus during his ministry. If Jesus had been wealthy, the corrupt religious leaders would have welcomed him openly. Most of those who believed in him were poor. They would have rejected Jesus because they knew how the wealthy Pharisees and scribes attained their wealth. The Sadducees were of the affluent class and, as ardent supporters of Rome, were allowed to keep getting richer as they controlled all activities in the Temple (John 2:13-16, Mat 21:12-13.) As a group, the Sadducees were the wealthiest in Jerusalem.
The Herod at the time of the birth of Jesus was the first Herod we encounter in Scripture, known as Herod the Great. Herod was known for his great building projects, including the Temple. He was also known for his brutality, having killed his wife, Mariamme, their two sons, her brother, her father, and a number of his ten wives. And the slaughter of children (Mat 2:16)
And he was known for being extremely suspicious of anybody he considered a threat or adversary. The danger of a "new king" immediately put Herod in fear. What can only be described as the hand of God, Herod, who would typically send some spies and undercover soldiers to follow the Magi, and when the coast was clear, would have had Jesus and his parents killed, didn't even think about doing this.
