Tag: paidion

Matthew 2:11 – God Meets Our Needs

Posted on by Will

And having come into the house, they saw the young child with His mother Mary, and falling down, they worshiped Him. And opening their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Truth to Learn

Read your Bible carefully and watch God provide for you.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “house” is oikos, which refers to the family dwelling place and is never used in reference to a stable.

The word “young child” is translated from paidion, which we also saw back in verse nine. It is the diminutive of the word pais, meaning “a child.” Thus, paidion literally means “a little child.” It can refer to anything from an infant to a young boy or girl. However, the word brephos, used in Luke 2:16 refers to “an unborn child or a new born child.”

The word translated “treasures” is thēsauros, which refers to “something of great value.” As used here, it probably refers to the receptacle or box that the valuable things were carried in.

Chrusos is the word translated “gold.” It can refer to anything made out of gold, or it can refer figuratively to anything of great value.

“Frankincense” is from libanos, which refers to a tree or the highly valued transparent and fragrant incense that is produced from its sap. It has been discovered that frankincense was a valuable healing agent as well.

“Myrrh” is translated from smyrna, a bitter tasting but fragrant substance from the sap of the small, thorny smyrna bush. Like frankincense, myrrh has been found to be a valuable healing agent.

 

Meaning Explained

Most nativity scenes show three kings offering gifts to the Christ child who is lying in a manger surrounded by the stable animals. However, a careful examination of the text along with Luke 2:21, 22 and Leviticus 12:1-8 reveals that Mary and Joseph remained in Bethlehem for at least 40 days after Jesus’ birth in order to fulfill the law. If the Magi had come to the stable, since Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt with Jesus immediately after the Magi departed, there wouldn’t have been time for the purification. Also note that verse eleven says “having come into the house …” And notice that Luke refers to Jesus in the manger as a newborn child, whereas Matthew here calls Him a young child. Based on these facts, it is obvious that the magi did not come to the stable where Jesus was born, but to the house in which Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were staying.

Have you ever wondered why God would have these magi present such valuable gifts to the young King of the Jews? Consider this: immediately after the magi left, Joseph was warned by an angel in a dream that he, Mary, and the baby should flee to Egypt. In Egypt they would be foreigners, and as a carpenter Joseph would not likely be able to sustain the family through his profession. The precious gifts would provide for this young family while they were in Egypt.

 

Application

There are two things of particular note in this passage of Scripture. The first is that we are sometimes misled by traditions that have been handed down to us. Nearly all nativity scenes show the three magi offering gifts to Jesus in the manger. Traditions can be misleading.

The other thing is that God knows what we need before we do.  A number of times in my life I received unexpected “extra” money only to have a need show up right afterward. I used to complain about these unexpected needs, feeling that it wasn’t fair that I had to use the recently received “riches” to pay for these newly acquired “necessities.” Now, instead of complaining, I realize that God is providing me with what I need, just as I need it and I thank Him for His loving provision.

On this Christmas day, let’s thank God for the Christmas gift of a precious little baby, who was given to us, not because we asked for it, but because He knew what we needed it and He gave it to us at just the right time!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Matthew 2:9 – Diligently Seek Him

Posted on by Will

And having heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they saw in the East went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was.

Truth to Learn

Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. (1Chronicles 16:10)

 

Behind the Words

The words “having heard” are from akouō, which literally means “to hear” or “to listen to.” It is expressed here as an aorist participle, so it literally means “having heard.”

“Departed” is from the verb poreuomai, which means “to go from one place to another.”

Idou is the Greek word translated “behold.” It is an imperative (command) form of  horaō, which means “to stare at.” In today’s English, we might say, “Look!”

The words “went before” are from proagō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before” or “forth” and agō, meaning “to lead” or “to go.” Thus proagō means “to lead forth” or “to go before.” It is expressed here in the imperfect tense, indicating continuous action in the past. It could be translated as “it began leading them” or “it was going before them.”

The words “stood over” are translated from the Greek words estathē epanō. Estathē is a form of the verb histēmi, which means “to stand” and epanō means “above” or “over.”

“Child” is translated from the Greek noun paidion, which is derived from pais, meaning “a child.” It denotes a baby, but it is different from the word used in Luke 2:16, where he referred to a brephos, meaning “a new born child.”

 

Meaning Explained

In this quest for the true King, we find three types of people in this narrative who represent unsaved people even today. If you read verses four through nine, you find Herod, who was opposed to the new born King, the chief priests and the scribes (the “religious” people) who ignored the new born King, and the magi who were zealously seeking the new born King in order to worship Him.

Once the magi knew where to find the King, they immediately set out to find Him. They had left the comforts of their homes and set out on a quest for the true King. God had already spoken to them through scripture (prophesy) and the diligence of their own profession about how to find the King. Upon leaving Herod, they were once again guided by the star, which implies that it was evening or even night when they left Herod.

There has been a lot of speculation as to the nature of the star the magi followed. Some claim it was a comet, while others claim that it was a supernova (a star exploding) or even a conjunction of several planets lining up in the sky. However, none of these fully explain how they could have been guided to a specific spot within the town of Bethlehem. We don’t need a full scientific explanation of what occurred that night. We simply need to believe what the Bible tells us (and not worry about what it doesn’t tell us). What we do know is that God somehow provided just the guidance these seekers needed in order to find the true King.

The same applies today for those who are whole-heartedly searching for the truth. For unsaved people who are searching for truth, God will miraculously guide them to just the right place or person that they need in order to meet our Savior. And — for Christians who are honestly seeking a closer walk with God, He is ever faithful and always available.

 

Application

Many Christians who have been saved for years have forgotten how exciting it is to have a personal relationship with God. Others are hungry for that close fellowship and walk with God on a daily basis and are diligently seeking Him. So, let me ask you, my friend; Are you like Herod, trying to disprove the truth and destroy faith that others have in Christ, or – are you like the chief priests and scribes, simply ignoring the messages that God is sending you, or – are you like the Magi, diligently seeking Him, eager for a closer walk with your Savior, your God?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Matthew 2:11 – God Meets Our Needs

Posted on by Will

And having come into the house, they saw the young child with His mother Mary, and falling down, they worshiped Him. And opening their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Truth to Learn

Read your Bible carefully and watch God provide for you.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “house” is oikos, which refers to the family dwelling place and is never used in reference to a stable.

The word “young child” is translated from paidion, which we also saw back in verse nine. It is the diminutive of the word pais, meaning “a child.” Thus, paidion literally means “a little child.” It can refer to anything from an infant to a young boy or girl. However, the word brephos, used in Luke 2:16 refers to “an unborn child or a new born child.”

The word translated “treasures” is thēsauros, which refers to “something of great value.” As used here, it probably refers to the receptacle or box that the valuable things were carried in.

Chrusos is the word translated “gold.” It can refer to anything made out of gold, or it can refer figuratively to anything of great value.

“Frankincense” is from libanos, which refers to a tree or the highly valued transparent and fragrant incense that is produced from its sap. It has been discovered that frankincense was a valuable healing agent as well.

“Myrrh” is translated from smyrna, a bitter tasting but fragrant substance from the sap of the small, thorny smyrna bush. Like frankincense, myrrh has been found to be a valuable healing agent.

 

Meaning Explained

Most nativity scenes show three kings offering gifts to the Christ child who is lying in a manger surrounded by the stable animals. However, a careful examination of the text along with Luke 2:21, 22 and Leviticus 12:1-8 reveals that Mary and Joseph remained in Bethlehem for at least 40 days after Jesus’ birth in order to fulfill the law. If the Magi had come to the stable, since Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt with Jesus immediately after the Magi departed, there wouldn’t have been time for the purification. Also note that verse eleven says “having come into the house …” And notice that Luke refers to Jesus in the manger as a newborn child, whereas Matthew here calls Him a young child. Based on these facts, it is obvious that the magi did not come to the stable where Jesus was born, but to the house in which Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were staying.

Have you ever wondered why God would have these magi present such valuable gifts to the young King of the Jews? Consider this: immediately after the magi left, Joseph was warned by an angel in a dream that he, Mary, and the baby should flee to Egypt. In Egypt they would be foreigners, and as a carpenter Joseph would not likely be able to sustain the family through his profession. The precious gifts would provide for this young family while they were in Egypt.

 

Application

There are two things of particular note in this passage of Scripture. The first is that we are sometimes misled by traditions that have been handed down to us. Nearly all nativity scenes show the three magi offering gifts to Jesus in the manger. Traditions can be misleading.

The other thing is that God knows what we need before we do.  A number of times in my life I received unexpected “extra” money only to have a need show up right afterward. I used to complain about these unexpected needs, feeling that it wasn’t fair that I had to use the recently received “riches” to pay for these newly acquired “necessities.” Now, instead of complaining, I realize that God is providing me with what I need, just as I need it and I thank Him for His loving provision.

On this Christmas day, let’s thank God for the Christmas gift of a precious little baby, who was given to us, not because we asked for it, but because He knew what we needed it and He gave it to us at just the right time!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Matthew 2:9 – Diligently Seek Him

Posted on by Will

And having heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they saw in the East went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was.

Truth to Learn

Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. (1Chronicles 16:10)

 

Behind the Words

The words “having heard” are from akouō, which literally means “to hear” or “to listen to.” It is expressed here as an aorist participle, so it literally means “having heard.”

“Departed” is from the verb poreuomai, which means “to go from one place to another.”

Idou is the Greek word translated “behold.” It is an imperative (command) form of  horaō, which means “to stare at.” In today’s English, we might say, “Look!”

The words “went before” are from proagō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before” or “forth” and agō, meaning “to lead” or “to go.” Thus proagō means “to lead forth” or “to go before.” It is expressed here in the imperfect tense, indicating continuous action in the past. It could be translated as “it began leading them” or “it was going before them.”

The words “stood over” are translated from the Greek words estathē epanō. Estathē is a form of the verb histēmi, which means “to stand” and epanō means “above” or “over.”

“Child” is translated from the Greek noun paidion, which is derived from pais, meaning “a child.” It denotes a baby, but it is different from the word used in Luke 2:16, where he referred to a brephos, meaning “a new born child.”

 

Meaning Explained

In this quest for the true King, we find three types of people in this narrative who represent unsaved people even today. If you read verses four through nine, you find Herod, who was opposed to the new born King, the chief priests and the scribes (the “religious” people) who ignored the new born King, and the magi who were zealously seeking the new born King in order to worship Him.

Once the magi knew where to find the King, they immediately set out to find Him. They had left the comforts of their homes and set out on a quest for the true King. God had already spoken to them through scripture (prophesy) and the diligence of their own profession about how to find the King. Upon leaving Herod, they were once again guided by the star, which implies that it was evening or even night when they left Herod.

There has been a lot of speculation as to the nature of the star the magi followed. Some claim it was a comet, while others claim that it was a supernova (a star exploding) or even a conjunction of several planets lining up in the sky. However, none of these fully explain how they could have been guided to a specific spot within the town of Bethlehem. We don’t need a full scientific explanation of what occurred that night. We simply need to believe what the Bible tells us (and not worry about what it doesn’t tell us). What we do know is that God somehow provided just the guidance these seekers needed in order to find the true King.

The same applies today for those who are whole-heartedly searching for the truth. For unsaved people who are searching for truth, God will miraculously guide them to just the right place or person that they need in order to meet our Savior. And — for Christians who are honestly seeking a closer walk with God, He is ever faithful and always available.

 

Application

Many Christians who have been saved for years have forgotten how exciting it is to have a personal relationship with God. Others are hungry for that close fellowship and walk with God on a daily basis and are diligently seeking Him. So, let me ask you, my friend; Are you like Herod, trying to disprove the truth and destroy faith that others have in Christ, or – are you like the chief priests and scribes, simply ignoring the messages that God is sending you, or – are you like the Magi, diligently seeking Him, eager for a closer walk with your Savior, your God?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved