Matthew 2:17

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

Then {G5119} was fulfilled {G4137} that which {G3588} was spoken {G4483} by {G5259} Jeremy {G2408} the prophet {G4396}, saying {G3004},

In this way were fulfilled the words spoken through the prophet Yirmeyahu,

Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

Matthew 2:17 serves as an introductory declaration by the evangelist Matthew, signaling the divine purpose behind the tragic events that have just unfolded. It precedes the direct quotation of the prophecy from Jeremiah, emphasizing that these sorrowful circumstances were not random but part of God's sovereign plan, foretold centuries earlier.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of King Herod's brutal massacre of all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and its surrounding regions. Herod, feeling outwitted by the Wise Men who did not return to him, sought to eliminate any potential rival to his throne, specifically the newborn "King of the Jews." Joseph, warned by an angel in a dream, had already taken Mary and the infant Jesus to flee to Egypt, thus sparing Jesus from this horrific decree. Matthew consistently presents Jesus's life as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, a key theme for his Jewish audience.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Matthew frequently uses the phrase "then was fulfilled" (Greek: tote eplerothe) to highlight how events in Jesus's life align with God's pre-ordained plan revealed in the Old Testament. This reinforces Jesus's identity as the long-awaited Messiah.
  • God's Sovereignty Amidst Suffering: Even in the face of immense human cruelty and innocent suffering, Matthew asserts that God's plan is unfolding. The tragedy of the Bethlehem children, while heartbreaking, was not outside of divine foreknowledge.
  • Messianic Identity: By linking Jesus's early life experiences, even the painful ones, to ancient prophecies, Matthew builds a compelling case for Jesus's unique role as the Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Then was fulfilled" (Greek: Tote eplerothe) is a common and significant idiom in Matthew's Gospel, appearing over a dozen times (e.g., Matthew 1:22, Matthew 2:15). It signals to the reader that the events described are not mere coincidences but are part of a divine blueprint. "Jeremy the prophet" refers to the prophet Jeremiah, whose words are about to be quoted in the next verse, Matthew 2:18.

Fulfilled Prophecy & Cross-References

The prophecy referred to here is found in Jeremiah 31:15: "Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not." In Jeremiah's context, this passage referred to the Babylonian exile, where the descendants of Rachel (Ephraim and Manasseh, representing the northern kingdom) were led away into captivity from Ramah, a town near Bethlehem. Matthew applies this ancient lament to the new tragedy in Bethlehem, drawing a parallel between the past suffering of Israel and the present suffering under Herod, emphasizing that even in profound sorrow, God's prophetic word holds true and ultimately points to His redemptive plan.

Practical Application

Matthew 2:17 reminds believers that God is at work even in the most painful and seemingly chaotic circumstances. The suffering of the innocent, though deeply tragic, is not outside of God's knowledge or ultimate control. This verse encourages us to look for God's hand and purpose even when events are distressing, trusting that His overarching plan for salvation, centered on Christ, will ultimately prevail. It underscores the enduring relevance of Old Testament prophecy in understanding God's unfolding narrative throughout history.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.

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