New Living Translation
Matthew 2:1
1Jesus 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,
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,
- New International Version (NIV)After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came 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,
Context of Matthew 2:1
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, 2“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 3King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
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 have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
- Luke 2:4And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.
- Matthew 2:5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
- Micah 5:2But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.
- Luke 2:11The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
- John 7:42For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.”
- Matthew 2:3King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
- Genesis 49:10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.
- Daniel 9:24“A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
- Haggai 2:6“For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land.
- Genesis 10:30The territory they occupied extended from Mesha all the way to Sephar in the eastern mountains.
- Genesis 25:6But before he died, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them off to a land in the east, away from Isaac.
- 1 Kings 4:30In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt.
- Job 1:3He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.
- Psalms 72:9Desert nomads will bow before him; his enemies will fall before him in the dust.
- Isaiah 11:10In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.
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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