, , ,   Pop quiz:  1)    How old was Jesus in Matt. 2?  2)   
Why did Jesus go to Egypt?  You will be surprised to learn the
answers to the above questions.  I continue to talk about
Matthew in this installment.  Many have seen the entire Matt. 2
as the birth narrative.  Most certainly, Matt. 1.18-25 was the
birth narrative. Matt. 2.1 clearly states that “after” Jesus was
born, the magi came from the East.  This is why the extended
holiday after Christmas is called Epiphany (Jan. 6), celebrating
the arrival of the magi. Church traditional feast day of
Epiphahy recognizes that Matt. 2 is the post-Christmas
narrative.  Careless readers have been trying to figure out how
Matt. 2 and Luke 2 harmonize.  There is NO harmonization because
there is no such need.  In fact, the events following the first
Christmas were nothing short of chaotic.  The story of the Magi
clearly shows that Jesus was already slightly older because it
must have taken a while for the Magi to come to Bethlehem from
the East.  Anyone with or wi