Matthew 2:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Nevertheless, in their confusion, the people of Jerusalem showed little interest in investigating the occurrences around them; they did not follow the wise men or express curiosity—indeed, they were remarkably persistent in their indifference! They should have rejoiced that a King had been born among them, drawing attention even from distant lands, suggesting that all would ultimately yield to them when their circumstances had vastly improved, initially highlighted by such a magnificent birth. Yet they remained unchanged, even after being recently liberated from Persian bonds. Had no profound truths been imparted to them, they might have reasoned, based solely on current happenings, that if so many recognized their King at birth, they would surely revere him even more and submit to him in his maturity, elevating them higher than the nations surrounding them. But such notions brought them no joy, for their neglect and blindness were so profound! Therefore, it is essential to diligently rid ourselves of these faults and to be fortified against them. This is why Christ stated: “Fire has come to destroy the earth, and I want it to burn up already” (Luke 12:49). Hence, it is fitting that the Holy Spirit manifests as fire.

‘When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled’ (Hear, Herod was troubled) (Matthew 2:3). What was it that troubled him? The news of a Jewish King’s birth. Behold, dear ones: the enemy within Herod is deeply troubled. The wolf recognizes that a shepherd has emerged, lying humbly in a manger, brandishing the powerful rod of the Spirit, and this sight greatly unnerves him. The dragon perceives the vulnerability of the infant, who is akin to a lowly worm—‘I am a worm, and not a man’ (Psalm 21:7)—and, opening its mouth, sees in the flesh the divine Word as a hidden snare, and it finds this deeply unsettling. It observes the mustard seed that has fallen to the earth, spreading branches of hope that will shelter humanity beneath the leaves of salvation, and this prompts great distress in the adversary, the demon. It recognizes that wisdom has graced the earth, taking on the small leaven of humanity, blending the soul, body, and spirit, aiming to unite all people in one faith for their salvation, and it is greatly agitated by this. It sees the legion of demons expelled from humanity and cast into the abyss, and this sight fills it with dread. It witnesses the bonds of hell being shattered, with Adam restored to paradise, and this causes it to tremble. It sees Eve saved through Mary, with the serpent, in which it had so boldly placed its trust, vanquished; this sight brings it great turmoil. It recognizes that the tree of life has been planted, and the distress this causes is profound. Time does not permit me to recount the full extent of the devil’s anxiety. Ultimately, feeling utterly helpless against the Lord, the devil turns his wrath upon the innocent, pursuing the young. Whom does he seek to destroy? The children aged two years and under; yet those who have turned three he spares. These are the young ones who proclaim a simple understanding without believing in the Triune God.

Although he was nearing the end of a tumultuous life, Herod still resisted the notion of a new political order emerging. He had always sought to consolidate power for himself rather than relinquish it to others. Did he genuinely believe the Messiah had been born? If true, he likely anticipated some troubling intervention from Divine Providence. Alternatively, did he dismiss it as a fabrication by the Jewish factions attempting to unseat him from his throne? Regardless of his beliefs, he had reason to fear unrest among the populace, for they were not only hopeful for a Savior in the Messiah but also apprehensive of a Judge, which could weigh heavily on Herod’s conscience. Thus, political anxiety, moral awareness, physical ailment, and the frailty of old age must have all compounded Herod's distress.

Moreover, why was Jerusalem sharing in his turmoil? They, too, were undoubtedly unsettled by the royalist faction aligned with Herod—the Herodian supporters. This was the very group some Jews had previously consulted, asking Jesus whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar (Luke 20:22). The fortunes of Herod were intertwined with those of this political alliance. Many of Herod's followers, whose fates rested on his rule, likely felt the weight of the situation as well. Ultimately, the entire nation must have been thrown into confusion. They accepted the idea of the Messiah's birth, but this brought with it a fear of His profound judgment. It was widely understood that the arrival of the Messiah would usher in numerous troubles, dangers, and upheavals in both moral and civil order. Even if they doubted the actual birth of the Messiah, they had to be concerned about potential insurrections instigated by factions claiming to present a Messiah, as well as punishment for such unrest from the Romans and a particularly wary Herod. Such phenomena typically induce significant disturbances within a capital city. Thus, we find ourselves reflecting on the Gospel accounts detailing the earthly journey of Jesus Christ prior to His public ministry aimed at the salvation of humanity, including the visit of the Magi and their adoration of Him.

Not long before, he had orchestrated a bloody slaughter of the conspirators who sought to assassinate him within his palace; weighed down by age and a wretched illness that would soon claim his life, this tyrant was gripped by fear when informed that the Messiah, the true Son of David and rightful Sovereign, had just been born—a figure he believed would usurp his power… How could this cruel ruler not feel shame in light of such news? However, what was the source of Jerusalem's fear? The prophets had long ago foretold the advent of Christ, who would come to rescue and redeem His people. What concern plagued the Jews at this moment? They ought to have rejoiced at the arrival of such a king, who, even as an infant, had drawn the wise men from the East to honor Him and would ultimately reign over all nations. Had they cherished Christ, they would have celebrated the announcement of His birth, much like a few of God's faithful servants, such as Simeon and Anna, had done. Yet, the Jews valued their own safety more than the Savior; they likely believed that Herod would become violently enraged upon learning of Christ’s birth and would persecute any who dared to worship Him. Consequently, each individual focused solely on their own preservation, remaining silent about Christ… Meanwhile, Herod was contemplating his next move. Should he eliminate the Magi? But what benefit would that bring if the newborn King remained alive? He did not yet know where the child was or who He truly was. In his despair, Herod devised a sinister plan: to extract information about the royal child from the Magi themselves, with the intent to eliminate Him, and if needed, to dispose of the Magi as well, since they had caused upheaval among his people.

Regardless of his belief in the ancient prophecies, he could not entirely dismiss them; they were deeply ingrained in Jewish faith and national sentiment. To unsettle Herod's tranquility was sufficient, as the populace had long been sustained by this hope, making them receptive to any signs that hinted at its realization. The idea that the Messiah might be among them—whether that perception was accurate or not—instilled fear in Herod of significant and unwelcome changes to his reign. Having governed the Jewish people for over three decades, he recognized that he could not count on the loyalty of even a fraction of his subjects, and the threat to his throne felt ever-present, even from within his own family. He was acutely aware of the yearning for freedom amongst his people and the fervent zeal of certain factions that would entertain insurrection at the mere mention of the Messiah, regardless of His actual arrival. Taking such fears into account, the cautious tyrant resolved to act swiftly to safeguard his interests, deciding that if there existed any child designated as the King of the Jews—identified by star, prophecy, or any means—he must be eradicated immediately. Herod's limited understanding of faith allowed him to accept the assertions of the Eastern sages and the predictions of the sacred texts but did not inspire him to align himself with divine will, as evidenced by his subsequent actions.

Fear spread throughout Jerusalem; some were concerned for their own ties to the ruling family, others anticipated the brutal reprisals of the paranoid and merciless Herod in light of these tidings, and still others harbored a general unease about the imminent arrival of significant events.

Many among them harbored guilt, having benefited from Herod's patronage, serving him, and living off the hardships of others; how could they welcome Christ with such a conscience? Consequently, these Jews prioritized their own safety and hesitated to openly proclaim Christ, failing to journey to Bethlehem for worship, despite its proximity to Jerusalem.

The term “all Jerusalem” refers to the city's inhabitants, particularly the supporters of Herod. While there were certainly individuals in Jerusalem who eagerly awaited the comfort of Israel—much like Simeon the Hospitaller and Anna the Prophetess—who rejoiced at the news of the Messiah's birth, many others in the city, especially those loyal to Herod, were unsettled. Their disbelief led them to be taken aback, particularly because they did not anticipate the Messiah’s humble beginnings, with His birth announced by foreign visitors. The nature of the anxiety varied significantly, shaped by each person’s belief or disbelief in the prophesied Savior. Additionally, they may have feared that the wrathful tyrant, Herod, would unleash further cruelty upon them.

This newborn, regarded as the King of the Jews, became a threat to Herod, who considered him a rival destined to challenge his claim to the throne, bolstered by the people's affection for the lineage of David. This notion alone was enough to fill Herod with deep-seated paranoia and dread. According to St. John Chrysostom, Herod was fearful “for himself and for his children,” and Blessed Theophylact articulated that he was anxious about losing his rule, aware that as an outsider, the throne was not rightfully his. The citizens of Jerusalem had cause for their concern: many feared that the merciless Herod would resort to cruel actions in response to this news, while his loyal followers were reluctant to relinquish the privileges they enjoyed.