Matthew 2:4

The chief priests. Probably the officiating high priest and living priests who had formerly held that office, all having been appointed and later deposed by Herod himself. During his reign of about 33 years Herod appointed altogether nine high priests to this sacred office, which was originally intended to be hereditary and for life (Ex. 28:1; 40:12-15; Lev. 21:16-23; Num. 16:40; 17; Num. 18:1-8; Deut. 10:6). Simon, son of Boethus, may have been high priest at this time (Josephus Antiquities xv. 9. 3), or Matthias or Joazar, son-in-law and son of Boethus, respectively, who followed Simon in rapid succession (ibid., xvii. 4. 2; 6. 4; 13. 1). Others have suggested that the “chief priests” were heads of the 24 courses (see on Luke 1:5). The group Herod summoned seems to have been the learned men of the nation, who would be most likely to have the information he desired.

Scribes. These men are often spoken of as lawyers (Matt. 22:35; Mark 12:28), or “doctors of the law,” literally, “teachers of the law” (Luke 5:17, 21). They were learned men whose duty it was to study, preserve, copy, interpret, and expound the Law, or sacred writings (see p. 55; see on Mark 1:22).

Demanded. Or, “inquired,” the form of the verb, in Greek, implying that Herod inquired persistently. The priests apparently evaded a direct answer. Herod had to draw it out of them. The wise men had probably referred to their study of the Hebrew Scriptures, and if so, Herod could rightly have surmised that the doctors of the law must have known more than they appeared to. They were by no means as ignorant as they pretended to be, either of the prophecies themselves or of recent events that pointed to their fulfillment.

They knew, no doubt, of the vision of Zacharias (Luke 1:22), of the report of the shepherds (see on Luke 2:17), and of the prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:27, 28, 34, 35).

But pride and envy closed the door of their hearts to light, for obviously God had passed them by in favor of uncouth shepherds and uncircumcised heathen, as they thought. They branded the reports as fanaticism and unworthy of attention (see DA 62, 63).

Where Christ should be born. Here Herod seeks to ascertain the place of Christ’s birth, as later, from the wise men, the time (v. 7).