Matthew 2:17 - Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
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What does "Matthew 2:17" mean?
Matthew 2:17 ("Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,") introduces a quotation from Jeremiah 31:15 in response to Herod's slaughter of the baby boys in Bethlehem. The verse itself is a transition, connecting the historical event (the massacre) to its prophetic foreshadowing. Let's break it down:
"Then...": This connects the verse to the preceding event, Herod's order to kill all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and the surrounding district. This brutality is the catalyst for the fulfillment of the prophecy.
"...that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet...": This indicates that the following words are from the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah. Matthew uses this phrase to establish the authority of the prophecy. It's not just a random saying, but a divinely inspired message from the past.
"...was fulfilled, saying...": This is the key part. Matthew is claiming that the events happening in Bethlehem are the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy. He's presenting the massacre as a living out of the words spoken centuries before.
What Does "Fulfilled" Mean in This Context?
The concept of "fulfillment" in the Gospels (especially in Matthew) is complex and has been interpreted in different ways. Here are a few perspectives:
1. Literal Fulfillment: This view holds that the events in Bethlehem are a direct and literal fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy. Herod's actions are seen as exactly what Jeremiah was predicting.
2. Typological Fulfillment: This is a more nuanced understanding. It suggests that the events in Bethlehem are a re-enactment or echo of the themes and emotions present in Jeremiah's original context. It's not a one-to-one, literal correspondence, but rather a parallel situation that evokes the same kind of sorrow and loss. Jeremiah's prophecy speaks to a specific historical event, but the themes of grief, loss, and injustice transcend that original situation and find resonance in the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem.
3. Redemptive-Historical Fulfillment: This approach emphasizes that Old Testament prophecies are not simply predictions of future events. Rather, they are part of God's unfolding plan of redemption. The "fulfillment" in Christ often surpasses the original meaning of the prophecy and points to a greater reality in the Messiah.
The Verse in Relation to Jeremiah 31:15
Jeremiah 31:15 says:
>"A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more."
In its original context, Jeremiah is speaking about the sorrow of Rachel (representing the mothers of Israel) lamenting the exile of their children to Babylon. Ramah was a collection point for the exiles.
How Matthew Uses Jeremiah's Prophecy:
Matthew is not suggesting that Jeremiah was literally predicting the Bethlehem massacre. Rather, he's using Jeremiah's words to highlight the immense sorrow and devastation caused by Herod's actions. The emotional parallel is the key. Just as Rachel wept for her children taken into exile, so the mothers of Bethlehem wept for their murdered sons. Matthew uses the prophecy to:
Express the depth of grief: The verse conveys the profound sorrow and suffering of the mothers of Bethlehem.
Connect the event to Israel's history: It places the massacre within the larger narrative of Israel's suffering and God's promises.
Hint at a deeper meaning: By linking the event to prophecy, Matthew suggests that there is a divine purpose and significance to these events, even in the midst of tragedy.
In summary: Matthew 2:17 is a pivotal verse that uses a prophetic reference to contextualize and amplify the impact of Herod's slaughter of the infants in Bethlehem. It emphasizes the immense grief caused by this act and connects it to the larger narrative of Israel's history and God's redemptive plan. While the "fulfillment" may not be a literal prediction, it highlights the powerful emotional and thematic parallels between Jeremiah's prophecy and the events in Bethlehem. It's a theological interpretation of a historical event, suggesting that even in tragedy, God's plan is unfolding.
Matthew 2:17 - Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
What does "Matthew 2:17" mean?
Matthew 2:17 ("Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,") introduces a quotation from Jeremiah 31:15 in response to Herod's slaughter of the baby boys in Bethlehem. The verse itself is a transition, connecting the historical event (the massacre) to its prophetic foreshadowing. Let's break it down:
"Then...": This connects the verse to the preceding event, Herod's order to kill all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and the surrounding district. This brutality is the catalyst for the fulfillment of the prophecy.
"...that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet...": This indicates that the following words are from the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah. Matthew uses this phrase to establish the authority of the prophecy. It's not just a random saying, but a divinely inspired message from the past.
"...was fulfilled, saying...": This is the key part. Matthew is claiming that the events happening in Bethlehem are the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy. He's presenting the massacre as a living out of the words spoken centuries before.
What Does "Fulfilled" Mean in This Context?
The concept of "fulfillment" in the Gospels (especially in Matthew) is complex and has been interpreted in different ways. Here are a few perspectives:
1. Literal Fulfillment: This view holds that the events in Bethlehem are a direct and literal fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy. Herod's actions are seen as exactly what Jeremiah was predicting.
2. Typological Fulfillment: This is a more nuanced understanding. It suggests that the events in Bethlehem are a re-enactment or echo of the themes and emotions present in Jeremiah's original context. It's not a one-to-one, literal correspondence, but rather a parallel situation that evokes the same kind of sorrow and loss. Jeremiah's prophecy speaks to a specific historical event, but the themes of grief, loss, and injustice transcend that original situation and find resonance in the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem.
3. Redemptive-Historical Fulfillment: This approach emphasizes that Old Testament prophecies are not simply predictions of future events. Rather, they are part of God's unfolding plan of redemption. The "fulfillment" in Christ often surpasses the original meaning of the prophecy and points to a greater reality in the Messiah.
The Verse in Relation to Jeremiah 31:15
Jeremiah 31:15 says:
>"A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more."
In its original context, Jeremiah is speaking about the sorrow of Rachel (representing the mothers of Israel) lamenting the exile of their children to Babylon. Ramah was a collection point for the exiles.
How Matthew Uses Jeremiah's Prophecy:
Matthew is not suggesting that Jeremiah was literally predicting the Bethlehem massacre. Rather, he's using Jeremiah's words to highlight the immense sorrow and devastation caused by Herod's actions. The emotional parallel is the key. Just as Rachel wept for her children taken into exile, so the mothers of Bethlehem wept for their murdered sons. Matthew uses the prophecy to:
Express the depth of grief: The verse conveys the profound sorrow and suffering of the mothers of Bethlehem.
Connect the event to Israel's history: It places the massacre within the larger narrative of Israel's suffering and God's promises.
Hint at a deeper meaning: By linking the event to prophecy, Matthew suggests that there is a divine purpose and significance to these events, even in the midst of tragedy.
In summary: Matthew 2:17 is a pivotal verse that uses a prophetic reference to contextualize and amplify the impact of Herod's slaughter of the infants in Bethlehem. It emphasizes the immense grief caused by this act and connects it to the larger narrative of Israel's history and God's redemptive plan. While the "fulfillment" may not be a literal prediction, it highlights the powerful emotional and thematic parallels between Jeremiah's prophecy and the events in Bethlehem. It's a theological interpretation of a historical event, suggesting that even in tragedy, God's plan is unfolding.