Matthew 2:1 - Printer Friendly

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,

NIV: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

NASB: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

CSB: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem,

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,

KJV: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

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,

Matthew identifies Jesus' birthplace as Bethlehem of Judea. We know from Luke's gospel that Joseph and Mary traveled from where they lived—Nazareth, in Israel's northern region of Galilee—to the small town of Bethlehem outside of Jerusalem. As a descendant of King David, Joseph had to report in at Bethlehem for the purpose of a required government census (Luke 2:1–4). The significance of Jesus' birth in this specific town is revealed in the following verses.

Jesus' birth occurred during the reign of King Herod, also called Herod the Great. Herod's kingship is entirely artificial. The Romans often installed a local ruler over people they had conquered. Under their authority, Herod ruled as king over Israel from 37–4 BC, according to most scholars. Jesus was born near the end of his reign.

Herod accomplished great things as king over Israel, including the restoration of the magnificent temple in Jerusalem. He was also ruthless, especially near the end of his life. He killed his wife, several sons, and many other relatives to protect his own power. His approach to news of a newborn "king of the Jews" will follow that pattern (Matthew 2:16–18).

We know very little about the wise men, sometimes called "Magi," who came from the east looking for the newborn king of the Jews. The New Testament describes them using the Greek term magoi. At this time in history, the word was used to describe those skilled in astrology, magic, interpreting dreams, and the like. Some were honest spiritual seekers, while others, apparently, became known as scam artists.

Scholars suggest that the "wise men" Matthew describes could have come from as far away as Babylon, Persia, or the Arabian desert.

Matthew 2:1–12 describes the arrival in Jerusalem of a group of wise men, sometime after Jesus' birth. They are responding to the sight of a ''star'' in the night sky, leading them to conclude the ''king of the Jews'' had been born. King Herod is troubled by this news and sends them to Bethlehem. His deceitful orders are for the wise men to return and tell him where the child is. The travelling scholars are overjoyed to find the Christ, at last. They worship Him by bowing and presenting expensive gifts. Warned not to return to Herod, after all, they slip away by another route.

King Herod is surprised and troubled by the arrival of wise men from the east. They have come looking for a newborn king of the Jews. Herod directs the men to Bethlehem to find the boy for him. The wise men find and worship Jesus. Rather than cooperating with the wicked Herod, the wise men slip away. An angel warns Joseph to flee to Egypt with his family before Herod kills all the boys in Bethlehem two years old and younger to protect his throne. After Herod's death, an angel sends Joseph back to Israel and then God directs him to settle with Mary and Jesus in Nazareth in the region of Galilee.

Chapter 1 established the genealogy and miraculous conception of Jesus Christ. Sometime after Jesus' birth, a group of wise men from the east arrive in Jerusalem. They have been tracking a star that points to the birth of the king of the Jews. They find and worship Jesus, then leave without telling the wicked king, Herod, where to find the boy. Warned by an angel, Joseph flees with Jesus and Mary to Egypt before Herod orders the execution of all the boys in Bethlehem two years old and younger. When notified by an angel again, they return to Israel and settle in Nazareth, in the northern region of Israel known as Galilee. This leads into chapter 3, which leaps forward to Jesus' adulthood, and the ministry of John the Baptist.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.