In this chapter, Matthew continues to explain that Jesus is the Savior. The prophecies and the Law in the OT foretold about the coming Savior. What I’d like to focus on is verse 18.

A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more

This is quoted from Jeremiah 31:15. Jeremiah talks about the new covenant and hope in the same chapter. We understand that Matthew 2:18 shows the evilness of the ruler Herod who tried to kill our Lord. When he failed, he murdered innocent children. This verse can be interpreted that God gives hope after suffering. People who suffered under the evil ruling of Herod will be saved by Christ.

Thus says the Lord: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. (Jer 31:16)

Another interpretation is possible. If we connect Matthew 2: 16-18 with Jeremiah, who foretold the judgement of God on Israel, the verse 18 can be interpreted as God’s judgement on His people (at that time the Jewish people) because no one recognized or welcomed Christ’s coming. Instead, the three foreigners looked for Jesus. They came to know about the birth of the King by God’s grace. This is very important. From the beginning, God decided to save some to make His kingdom regardless of their backgrounds. We all have Adam as a biological father. God built Israel as a shadow of the visible church. Therefore, salvation comes from the Jews (John 4:22). And the visible church is a shadow of the invisible church, the eternal kingdom. The three magi thought the Jews would know about the King’s birth and asked Herod. But no Jews knew about it. There was no guest room available for our Lord as we read Luke 2:7. The three magi found the King lying in a manger. His humble birth indicates the kind of life Christ lived as the Son of Man.

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matt 8:20)

What we learn from Matthew 2 is that His own people did not recognize Him. Since Adam’s fall, all humans became spiritually dead. (That does not mean Adam was perfect as I mentioned before.) No one can hear or see unless one receives God’s total grace. All who call themselves Christians are the new Israelite.

He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. (John 1:11)

God is still rejected by His own people who call themselves Christians. They do not accept the total and only grace doctrine. The judgements told in the OT will be repeated in the last days.

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)