New International Version
Matthew 2:1
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
Matthew 2:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
- New Living Translation (NLT)Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,
Context of Matthew 2:1
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
Read all of Matthew 2Matthew 2:1 word by word
Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐν Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἐν ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως ἰδοὺ μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν παρεγένοντο εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Now whenδέde · thenG1161
- JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
- was bornγεννάωgennaō · to begetG1080
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- BethlehemΒηθλεέμBēthleem · BethlehemG965
- of JudeaἸουδαίαIoudaia · JudeaG2449
- the daysἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
- of HerodἩρώδηςHērōdēs · HerodG2264
- the kingβασιλεύςbasileus · kingG935
- beholdὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- there cameπαραγίνομαιparaginomai · to comeG3854
- wise menμάγοςmagos · sageG3097
- fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
- the eastἀνατολήanatolē · eastG395
- toεἰςeis · towardG1519
- JerusalemἹεροσόλυμαHierosoluma · JerusalemG2414
Cross-references for Matthew 2:1
- Matthew 1:25But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
- Luke 2:4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
- Matthew 2:5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
- Micah 5:2“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
- Luke 2:11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
- John 7:42Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”
- Matthew 2:3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
- Genesis 49:10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
- Daniel 9:24“Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
- Haggai 2:6“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
- Genesis 10:30The region where they lived stretched from Mesha toward Sephar, in the eastern hill country.
- Genesis 25:6But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.
- 1 Kings 4:30Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.
- Job 1:3and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
- Psalms 72:9May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.
- Isaiah 11:10In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.
Commentaries on Matthew 2:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Bethlehem of Judea - This city is mentioned in Judges 17:7, and must be distinguished from another of the same name in the tribe of Zebulon, Joshua 19:15. It is likewise called Ephrath, Genesis 48:7, or Ephratah, Micah 5:2, and its inhabitants Ephrathites, Rth 1:2; 1 Samuel 17:12. It is situated on the declivity of a hill, about six miles from Jerusalem. לחם בית Beth -lechem, in Hebrew, signifies the house of bread. And the name may be considered as very…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1When Jesus was born - See the full account of his birth in Genesis 35:19; Rth 4:11 ; Psalm 132:6. It was called the city of David Luke 2:4, because it was the city of his nativity, 1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Samuel 16:18. It was called Bethlehem of Judea, to distinguish it from a town of the same name in Galilee, Joshua 19:15. The soil of Bethlehem was noted for its fertility. Ancient travelers frequently spoke of its productions. The town is situated on an…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The wise men's search after Christ. (1-8) The wise men worship Jesus. (9-12) Jesus carried into Egypt. (13-15) Herod causes the infants of Bethlehem to be massacred. (16-18) Death of Herod, Jesus brought to Nazareth. (19-23) Verses 1-8 Those who live at the greatest distance from the means of grace often use most diligence, and learn to know the most of Christ and his salvation. But no curious arts, or mere human learning, can direct men unto him. We must…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Bethlehem was King David’s hometown (1 Samuel 16:1–13; John 7:42). King Herod was also called "Herod the Great." He had a rapid increase in power. He went from being the governor of Galilee to the king of Galilee, Judea, and Samaria. He was king from 37–4 BC. He was very loyal to Rome. He was famous for impressive building projects. This included a major renovation of the Temple in Jerusalem. His rule also included family conflicts, suspicion, and the…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-12The Wise Men Reach Jerusalem--The Sanhedrim, on Herod's Demand, Pronounce Bethlehem to Be Messiah's Predicted Birthplace (Mt 2:1-6). 1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea--so called to distinguish it from another Bethlehem in the tribe of Zebulun, near the Sea of Galilee (Jos 19:15); called also Beth-lehem-judah, as being in that tribe (Jud 17:7); and Ephrath (Ge 35:16); and combining both, Beth-lehem Ephratah (Mi 5:2). It lay about six miles…Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 2:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Matthew 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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