5. Βηθλεὲμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας. To distinguish this Bethlehem from the Bethlehem in the tribe of Zebulun (Jos 19:15).
γέγραπται, well expressed by Luther’s translation, stehet geschrieben. The tense marks the continued validity of a law or a prophecy; so also in the classics, ἐν τοῖς φονικοῖς γέγραπται νόμοις … καὶ ἄτιμος τεθνάτω. Dem. Phil. 3. 44.
διὰ τοῦ προφήτου, ‘by means of,’ ‘through’—the prophet is regarded as the instrument. In Mat 2:17 and Mat 3:3, some MSS. have the preposition signifying personal agency (ὑπό), instead of the instrumental preposition (διά); but the usual formula is as in Mat 2:15, ὑπὸ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου.