The Gospels · Chapter 2 of 28

Matthew 2

Wise men from the east follow a star to Jerusalem, seeking the newborn King of the Jews. Herod, troubled, learns from the scribes that Christ is to be born in Bethlehem, and sends the magi there while secretly plotting harm. They find the child, worship Him, and offer gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Warned in dreams, they and Joseph flee; Herod slaughters Bethlehem's children, and the holy family escapes to Egypt.

What happens in Matthew 2

After Jesus is born in Bethlehem during Herod's reign, wise men arrive in Jerusalem asking where the King of the Jews has been born, having seen His star. Herod is troubled and gathers the chief priests and scribes, who cite Micah's prophecy of Bethlehem. Herod privately sends the magi on, feigning a wish to worship. The star leads them to the house, and they fall down and worship the child, presenting gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Warned in a dream, they return home another way. An angel warns Joseph to flee to Egypt, for Herod seeks the child's life. Herod, enraged, kills all boys two and under in Bethlehem, fulfilling Jeremiah's word of Rachel weeping. After Herod dies, the family returns, settling in Nazareth, that He might be called a Nazarene.

Matthew 2 in context

Herod the Great, a client king under Rome, was notoriously ruthless, murdering rivals including members of his own family. Wise men, likely astrologers from Persia or Babylon, represent Gentiles seeking the King of the Jews.

Matthew structures the chapter around fulfilled prophecies, presenting Jesus as recapitulating Israel's story, called out of Egypt, and rejected by earthly power from His infancy.

Main themes of Matthew 2

Matthew 2 (KJV)

1Now 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, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14When he arose, he 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 of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. 16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. 19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. 21And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Verses to carry from Matthew 2

“Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”Matthew 2:2

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”Matthew 2:11

“And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”Matthew 2:15

Reflection

Herod and the wise men received the same announcement, yet one raged and one worshiped. News of Christ still divides hearts this way. He does not remain a distant fact; He asks what we will do with Him. The magi traveled far and knelt.

A prayer from Matthew 2