Breaking News!

"That which was spoken." This is just one of the rare or unique words and phrases found in the book of Matthew. This is the Greek word rheo (G4483). This word is used 20 times by Matthew but only a handful of times in the rest of the New Testament.

Why did Matthew favor this particular word?

By looking at how this word is used in Scripture, we see it is exclusively used in relation to prophesy. This is confirmed by various dictionaries and word use pattern guides. Furthermore, Strong's Complete Dictionary suggests this word was used more like “breaking silence.”

How perfect for the book of Matthew! The birth of the rightful King and Messiah follows 400 years of silence. Matthew truly has good news – YHWH is with us: the Messiah has been born!

Additionally, rheo (G4483) has a homonym: G4482, pronounced and spelled like G4483. However, G4482 has a completely different meaning. It means, “flow” (as in water) and implies “water breaking forth.”

This word is only used one time in Scripture:

Joh 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (Ref Isa 44:3; Jer 2:13; Jer 17:13)

Praise YHWH for His manifold wisdom! By guiding Matthew to use this specific word, we see an additional layer to the story. This layer highlights the importance of what has happened with the birth of Yashua. YHWH has broken His silence and is ready to pour His Spirit onto those that believe. Yashua is the prophesied Messiah, the rightful King.

Other uses in Scripture:

Mark 13:14

Romans 9:12, 26

Galatians 3:16

Revelation 6:11; 9:11