Matthew's magi uniquely combine three Old Testament messianic symbols—star (Numbers 24:17), gold/frankincense (Isaiah 60:6), and Gentile pilgrimage (Psalm 72:10)—in a single narrative.
Matthew 2
The Visit of the Magi
1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
2“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
3When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.
5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,
6‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a governor who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’”
7Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.
8He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.”
9They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them until it came and stood over where the young child was.
10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
11They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
The Flight to Egypt and Massacre of the Innocents
13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
14He arose and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt,
15and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.
17Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
18“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more.”
The Return from Egypt
19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
20“Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.”
21He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee,
23and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he will be called a Nazarene.
Font Size 17pt
Line Spacing
Theme
Matthew 2 narrates the early threats and divine protection surrounding the infant Jesus through three interconnected episodes. Wise men from the east follow a star to worship the newborn King, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, while King Herod's murderous jealousy leads to the massacre of Bethlehem's children and the Holy Family's flight to Egypt. Through angelic guidance and prophetic fulfillment, God preserves His Son from Herod's violence, eventually bringing the family back to settle in Nazareth after the tyrant's death.
Context
Following Jesus' birth narrative in chapter 1, this chapter establishes the early opposition to Christ's kingship while demonstrating God's sovereign protection, setting the stage for Jesus' childhood in Nazareth.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 The Magi's Arrival Wise men from the east arrive in Jerusalem seeking the newborn King of the Jews, having followed his star.
- 3-6 Herod's Inquiry King Herod, troubled by news of a rival king, consults the religious leaders who identify Bethlehem as the prophesied birthplace.
- 7-12 The Magi's Worship Herod secretly questions the wise men, who find Jesus and worship him with gifts before being warned in a dream to avoid Herod.
- 13-15 Flight to Egypt An angel warns Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape Herod's murderous intent.
- 16-18 Massacre of the Innocents Herod orders the killing of all male children in Bethlehem under two years old, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy.
- 19-23 Return to Nazareth After Herod's death, the family returns to Israel but settles in Nazareth due to fear of Herod's successor.
The Visit of the Magi
2:1–2:12 gospel narration joyful
Wise men from the east follow a star to worship the newborn King of the Jews in Bethlehem, bringing gifts and fulfilling prophecy while avoiding Herod's deceptive intentions.
quotation_chain
Matthew's magi uniquely combine three Old Testament messianic symbols—star (Numbers 24:17), gold/frankincense (Isaiah 60:6), and Gentile pilgrimage (Psalm 72:10)—in a single narrative.
The Flight to Egypt and Massacre of the Innocents
2:13–2:18 narrative narration mournful
An angel warns Joseph to flee to Egypt with Jesus and Mary to escape Herod's murderous intent. Herod massacres all male children in Bethlehem under two years old, fulfilling prophecy about Rachel weeping for her children.
quotation_chain
Matthew uniquely pairs Hosea's tender "out of Egypt I called my son" with Jeremiah's devastating "Rachel weeping for her children," creating a theological paradox where divine rescue and human tragedy coexist.
The Return from Egypt
2:19–2:23 narrative narration hopeful
After Herod's death, an angel tells Joseph to return to Israel with Jesus and Mary. Fearing Archelaus, they settle in Nazareth, fulfilling prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.
person_contrast
Joseph receives divine guidance through dreams in three consecutive chapters (Matthew 1-2), making him the most dream-directed character in the New Testament after the Old Testament Joseph.
Insights
Matthew uniquely pairs Hosea's tender "out of Egypt I called my son" with Jeremiah's devastating "Rachel weeping for her children," creating a theological paradox where divine rescue and human tragedy coexist.
Joseph receives divine guidance through dreams in three consecutive chapters (Matthew 1-2), making him the most dream-directed character in the New Testament after the Old Testament Joseph.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Matthew 2:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 1:5 Lexical
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah.…
Matthew 3:1 Lexical
In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,
Luke 23:7 Lexical
When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days…
Acts 8:1 Lexical
Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. The…
Luke 23:29 Lexical
For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the brea…
Matthew 2:3 1 reference
Matthew 2:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 22:66 Lexical
As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people were gathered together, both chief priests and scribes,…
Matthew 26:57 Lexical
Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered toget…
Matthew 26:3 Lexical
Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest…
Luke 20:19 Lexical
The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people—for they knew he…
Luke 22:2 Lexical
The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.
Matthew 2:5 1 reference
Matthew 2:6 2 references
Matthew 2:9 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 28:7 Lexical
Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you w…
Revelation 6:8 Lexical
And behold, a pale horse, and the name of he who sat on it was Death. Hades followed with him. Authority over one fourth…
Hebrews 11:23 Lexical
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful c…
Acts 26:13 Lexical
at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled…
Matthew 2:10 1 reference
Matthew 2:11 1 reference
Matthew 2:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 1:20 Lexical
But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of…
Mark 5:40 Lexical
They ridiculed him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child, her mother, and those who were with h…
Matthew 1:24 Lexical
Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;
Acts 27:30 Lexical
As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay…
Matthew 10:23 Lexical
But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone thro…
Matthew 2:14 1 reference
Matthew 2:15 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 1:22 Lexical
Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
Matthew 27:9 Lexical
Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, t…
Romans 9:26 Lexical
“It will be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of…
Matthew 4:14 Lexical
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
Matthew 13:35 Lexical
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter…
Matthew 2:16 1 reference
Matthew 2:17 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 27:9 Lexical
Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, t…
Matthew 4:14 Lexical
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
Matthew 13:35 Lexical
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter…
Matthew 12:17 Lexical
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
Matthew 8:17 Lexical
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our di…
Matthew 2:18 2 references
Matthew 2:19 2 references
Matthew 2:20 1 reference
Matthew 2:21 1 reference
Matthew 2:22 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 4:47 Lexical
When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him and begged him that he would come down and h…
Mark 3:7 Lexical
Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples; and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,
Luke 3:1 Lexical
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetra…
John 4:3 Lexical
he left Judea and departed into Galilee.
Acts 10:22 Lexical
They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the J…
Matthew 2:23 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 13:35 Lexical
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter…
Matthew 8:17 Lexical
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our di…
Luke 2:4 Lexical
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, b…
Acts 13:27 Lexical
For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn’t know him, nor the voices of the prophets which a…
Matthew 12:17 Lexical
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
v. 10
v. 11
v. 12
v. 13
v. 14
v. 15
v. 16
v. 17
v. 18
v. 19
v. 20
v. 21
v. 22
v. 23
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
Loading map...
Timeline
Flight To Egypt
~4 BCJoseph and Mary's escape to Egypt with infant Jesus to avoid Herod's massacre. This event fulfilled Old Testament prophecy and paralleled Israel's historical sojourn in Egypt.
Joseph flees to Egypt with Jesus and Mary to escape Herod's murderous intent.
The Flight to Egypt and Massacre of the InnocentsMassacre Of Innocents
~4 BCHerod the Great's order to kill all male children under two in Bethlehem to eliminate the newborn king. This tragic event fulfilled prophecy and demonstrated the world's hostility to Christ.
Herod massacres Bethlehem's male children under two years old seeking to kill Jesus.
The Flight to Egypt and Massacre of the InnocentsReturn From Egypt
~2 BCThe holy family's return to Nazareth after Herod's death, fulfilling the prophecy 'Out of Egypt I called my son.' This completed the parallel between Jesus and Israel's historical experience.
After Herod's death, Joseph returns with Jesus and Mary from Egyptian exile.
The Return from Egypt