a The four New Testament psalms, given by Luke, breathe the atmosphere of Old Testament piety, quite in contrast to the formalism of the Pharisees and yet thoroughly Jewish in background and Christian in sentiment. But it is primitive Christian feeling. [Section 7] gives the Magnificat of Mary in response to the song of Elisabeth in [§ 6]. In [§ 8] we have the Benedictus of Zacharias and in § 13 The Nunc Dimittis of Simeon.
§ 14. MAGI VISIT THE NEW-BORN KING OF THE JEWS
Jerusalem and Bethlehem
Matt. 2:1-12
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, 1wise men from the east [see Num. 24:17] came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 2Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written 3by the prophet,
| 6 | And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, |
| Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: | |
| For out of thee shall come forth a governor [see Mic. 5:1-2], | |
| Which shall be shepherd of my people Israel. |
7 Then Herod privily called the 1wise men, and learned of them carefully 4what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out carefully concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him. 9 And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
1 Gr. Magi. Compare Esther 1:13; Dan. 2:12.
2 Or, Where is the King of the Jews that is born?
3 Or, through.