ACC ~ Matthew 2 v8

HEROD SENT THE MAGI

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Herod treats the magi as ambassadors. For after a certain manner, they had come to the King of Israel in order to intercede that there might be peace between them and the Israelites. They hoped that, for Gentiles and Jews alike, there might be “one fold, one shepherd.” [1] FRAGMENT 10. [2]

[1] Jn 10:16.

[2] MKGK 156.

NOTHING RESTRAINED HEROD

CHRYSOSTOM: The attempt to murder the child just born was not only an act of madness but also of extreme folly, since what had been said and done was enough to hold him back from any such attempt. For these were not merely natural or human occurrences. … Nevertheless nothing restrained Herod. This is how wickedness works—it stumbles over its own greed, always attempting vain objectives. What utter folly. So on either premise his craftiness was bizarre. It was also folly for him to think that the wise men would take him more seriously than the child whom they had come so far to see, whose identity had been confirmed by prophecy. How could Herod hope to persuade the wise men to betray this child to him, even before they had seen the One for whom they had so long hoped? Nevertheless, as many as were the good reasons to hold him back, Herod persisted with his evil attempt. … He must have imagined that the Jews would be so anxious to protect the child that they would never be willing to give up their national Deliverer and Savior. With all these miscalculations, he called in the wise men privately and sought to discern the timing of the star. The object of his pursuit was far more than a star. For the star, I think, must have appeared and been visible a long time before, because it took a long time for the wise men to come on their journey to find him in swaddling clothes. If the star appeared at the moment of Jesus’ birth in Palestine, it would have already been seen by many in the distant east. The trip to Jerusalem would have taken quite some time.

As to Herod’s murder of the children “who were two years old and under,” this shows the extent of his irrational wrath and dread in trying to prevent even one from escaping. …

But the wise men perceive nothing of this, by reason of their exceeding awe. They would never have expected that Herod could have persisted toward such great wickedness as to attempt to form plots against a dispensation so marvelous. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 7.2-3. [1]

[1] PG 57:75-76; NPNF 1 10:45-46**. Was Herod merely cruel or also witless? Herod shows us how stupid wickedness can become even when it is executing its own deceptions. He was constantly stumbling over his own greed and pride, so as to become not only wicked but also foolish in every respect.

PAINTING MALICE IN THE COLOR OF HUMILITY

ANONYMOUS: After Herod heard the response, he found it believable on two counts: first, it had been spoken by the priests, and second, it had been substantiated by the prophets. He did not bow in devotion to the King about to be born. Rather he harbored malice, seeking Jesus’ death through deceit. The wicked may be able to understand what pertains to God when they cannot do what pertains to God. Human intellect was created by God, while human actions spring from free will. Herod saw the great devotion of the magi to Christ. He could not manipulate them with blandishments or frighten them with threats or corrupt them with gold to make them acquiesce with him in the murder of the future King. So he sought to deceive them. But it could not be that, having been lured by blandishments, they would betray the One on account of whom they had undertaken so arduous a journey. Neither could these men announce another king. They belonged to another kingdom and had no high regard for either Herod or Caesar. They could not be intimidated by anyone into betraying him, nor could they desire anything more than Christ, to whom they were bringing precious gifts from so distant a province.

Herod saw there was nothing else he could do. While sharpening his sword, he promised his devotion and painted the malice of his heart in the color of humility. Such is the habit of all wicked people when they want to do serious harm to someone: they feign humility and friendship. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 2. [1]

[1] PG 56:640.

FEIGNED ADORATION

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word.” Appropriately did Herod say, “Bring me word,” for the one who hastens to come to Christ always brings a word of renunciation [1] to the devil. When the priest says to the future Christian, “Do you renounce the devil?” the latter will answer, “I do renounce him.” Properly therefore are the magi instructed to bring word to Herod, who realized he was taking the place of the devil. Satan knew how to corrupt a person.

“That I may come and worship him.” He wants to lie but he cannot. He who feigned adoration will come that he might bow to abuse, kneel to inflict punishment, recline to do harm. … But when the clouds of treachery have passed, in the fair weather of emerging Christian faith, the magi behold again the star they had seen, preceding and leading them on. Finally they arrive at the most holy place of the Lord’s birth. SERMONS 158.8-9. [2]

[1] It is clear that here renuntiare means “to announce, to make known.” But Chrysologus prefers to interpret it in its more specific meaning of “to renounce.” From this he deduces that every Christian must renounce Satan, symbolized by Herod.

[2] CCL 24b:983.