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Matthew 2:1-9

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,

‘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.’ ”

Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. He 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.”

They, 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.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Matthew 2:1-9 sits inside this longer paragraph.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,

‘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.’ ”

Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. He 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.”

They, 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. They 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. Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,

    “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”

    When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

    Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.

    They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,

    ‘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.’ ”

    Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.

    He 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.”

    They, 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.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    When Iesus was borne at Bethleem in Iury in the tyme of Herode the kynge. Beholde there came wyse me from the eest to Ierusalem saynge:

    Where is he that is borne kynge of the Iues? We have sene his starre in the eest and are come to worship him.

    When Herode the kynge had herde thys he was troubled and all Ierusalem with hym

    and he gathered all the chefe Prestes and Scribes of the people and axed of them where Christ shulde be borne.

    And they sayde vnto hym: at Bethlee in Iury. For thus it is written by the Prophet.

    And thou Bethleem in the londe of Iury art not the leest concernynge the princes of Iuda. For out of the shall come the captayne that shall govern my people Israhel.

    Then Herod prevely called the wyse men and dyligetly enquyred of them the tyme of the starre that appered

    and sent the to Bethleem saynge: Goo and searche dyligetly for the chylde. And when ye have founde hym bringe me worde that I maye come and worshippe hym also.

    When they had heard the kynge they departed: and lo the starre which they sawe in the eeste went before them tyll it came and stode over the place where the chylde was.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    When Jesus then was borne at Bethleem in Iudea, in the dayes of Herod the King, beholde, there came Wisemen from the East to Hierusalem,

    Saying, Where is that King of the Iewes that is borne? for wee haue seene his starre in the East, and are come to worship him.

    When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and all Hierusalem with him.

    And gathering together all the chiefe Priestes and Scribes of the people, hee asked of them, where Christ should be borne.

    And they saide vnto him, At Beth-leem in Iudea: for so it is written by the Prophet,

    And thou Beth-leem in the lande of Iuda, art not the least among the Princes of Iuda: For out of thee shall come the gouernour that shall feede that my people Israel.

    Then Herod priuily called the Wisemen, and diligently inquired of them the time of the starre that appeared,

    And sent them to Beth-leem, saying, Goe, and searche diligently for the babe: and when ye haue founde him, bring mee worde againe, that I may come also, and worship him.

    So when they had heard the King, they departed: and loe, the starre which they had seene in the East, went before them, till it came and stoode ouer the place where the babe was.

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Cross-references (142)

  • Ezekiel 34:23-25 (v6) I will set up one shepherd over them, and he will feed them, even my servant David. He will feed them, and he will be their shepherd. I,…
  • Micah 5:2 (vv1, 6) But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose…
  • Numbers 24:17 (v2) I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through…
  • Jeremiah 23:5 (v2) “Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will…
  • John 7:42 (vv1, 5, 6) Hasn’t the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the offspring of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”
Show all 100 cross-references
  • Isaiah 9:6-7 (vv2, 6) For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,…
  • Genesis 49:10 (vv1, 6) The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs. To him will the…
  • Revelation 22:16 (v2) I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and…
  • Revelation 11:15 (v6) The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and…
  • Luke 2:4-7 (v1) Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of…
  • Luke 2:11 (vv1–2) For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
  • Psalms 72:9-12 (v1) Those who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him. His enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will…
  • Isaiah 11:10 (v1) It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and his resting place will…
  • Matthew 28:18 (v6) Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
  • Zechariah 9:9 (v2) Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation;…
  • Isaiah 40:11 (v6) He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who…
  • Isaiah 60:1-22 (v1) “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you. For, behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness…
  • Haggai 2:6-9 (v1) For this is what Yahweh of Armies says: ‘Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry…
  • Revelation 2:27 (v6) He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father:
  • Genesis 25:6 (v1) but Abraham gave gifts to the sons of Abraham’s concubines. While he still lived, he sent them away from Isaac his son, eastward, to the…
  • 2 Samuel 5:2 (v6) In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and in. Yahweh said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people…
  • Isaiah 60:3 (v2) Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
  • Daniel 9:24-25 (v1) “Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make…
  • Matthew 2:5 (v1) They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,
  • 1 Kings 4:30 (v1) Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.
  • Matthew 1:25 (v1) and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.
  • Luke 1:5 (v1) There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of…
  • Luke 2:15 (v1) When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that…
  • Matthew 2:2 (v9) “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
  • John 18:37 (v2) Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for…
  • Acts 17:6-7 (v3) When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world…
  • Colossians 1:18 (v6) He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the…
  • Hebrews 1:6 (v2) When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.”
  • Psalms 25:12 (v9) What man is he who fears Yahweh? He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.
  • Proverbs 8:17 (v9) I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
  • Ezekiel 37:24-26 (v6) “ ‘ “My servant David will be king over them. They all will have one shepherd. They will also walk in my ordinances, and observe my…
  • Matthew 2:10-11 (v2) When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother,…
  • John 11:47-48 (v3) The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs. If we leave…
  • 1 Corinthians 3:19-20 (v8) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.” And again, “The Lord…
  • 2 Peter 1:19 (v9) We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and…
  • Psalms 2:1-6 (v6) Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together,…
  • Isaiah 32:1-2 (v2) Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice. A man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a…
  • Matthew 2:1 (v6) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
  • Matthew 2:3 (v1) When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
  • Matthew 23:37 (v3) “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children…
  • Numbers 24:19 (v6) Out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city.”
  • Ruth 1:1 (v5) In the days when the judges judged, there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab…
  • Psalms 2:6 (v2) “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
  • Psalms 78:71-72 (v6) from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance. So he…
  • Proverbs 2:1-6 (v9) My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you, so as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to…
  • Jeremiah 23:4-6 (v6) I will set up shepherds over them, who will feed them. They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, neither will any be lacking,” says…
  • Matthew 2:19 (v1) But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
  • Matthew 8:29 (v3) Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”
  • Luke 23:3 (v2) Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “So you say.”
  • Luke 23:38 (v2) An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
  • John 5:23 (v2) that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him.
  • Acts 4:2 (v3) being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
  • Ephesians 1:22 (v6) He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,
  • Exodus 1:10 (v7) Come, let’s deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it happen that when any war breaks out, they also join themselves to our enemies…
  • 1 Samuel 16:1 (v5) Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil,…
  • 1 Samuel 18:21 (v7) Saul said, I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Therefore Saul…
  • 1 Chronicles 5:2 (v6) For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and from him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph’s)—
  • Psalms 45:11 (v2) So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord.
  • Psalms 55:21 (v7) His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
  • Psalms 64:4-6 (v7) to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly. They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about…
  • Isaiah 7:5-7 (v7) Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have plotted evil against you, saying, “Let’s go up against Judah, and tear it apart, and…
  • Jeremiah 30:9 (v2) but they will serve Yahweh their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up to them.
  • Jeremiah 41:5-7 (v8) men came from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even eighty men, having their beards shaved and their clothes torn, and having cut…
  • Matthew 7:29 (v4) for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.
  • Matthew 21:23 (v4) When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what…
  • Luke 19:38 (v2) saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”
  • Luke 20:20-21 (v8) They watched him and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous, that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up…
  • John 1:49 (v2) Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”
  • John 21:16 (v6) He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for…
  • Acts 6:12 (v4) They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,
  • Acts 23:9 (v4) A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if…
  • Ruth 2:4 (v5) Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “May Yahweh be with you.” They answered him, “May Yahweh bless you.”
  • 1 Samuel 23:22-23 (v8) Please go make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I have been told that he is…
  • 2 Samuel 17:14 (v8) Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For Yahweh had…
  • 1 Kings 18:17-18 (v3) When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” He answered, “I have not troubled Israel; but you, and your…
  • 1 Kings 19:2 (v8) Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I don’t make your life as the life of one of…
  • 2 Kings 10:18-19 (v8) Jehu gathered all the people together, and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu will serve him much. Now therefore call to me…
  • Ezra 4:1-2 (v8) Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of…
  • Job 5:12-13 (v8) He frustrates the plans of the crafty, So that their hands can’t perform their enterprise. He takes the wise in their own craftiness; the…
  • Psalms 10:9-10 (v7) He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch the helpless. He catches the helpless when he draws him in his net.…
  • Psalms 12:2-3 (v8) Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart. May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the…
  • Psalms 33:10-11 (v8) Yahweh brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect. The counsel of Yahweh stands…
  • Psalms 55:11-15 (v8) Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets. For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could…
  • Psalms 83:3-4 (v7) They conspire with cunning against your people. They plot against your cherished ones. “Come,” they say, “let’s destroy them as a nation,…
  • Proverbs 21:30 (v8) There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.
  • Proverbs 26:24-25 (v8) A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for…
  • Jeremiah 8:8 (v4) “ ‘How do you say, “We are wise, and Yahweh’s law is with us?” But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has made that a lie.
  • Lamentations 3:37 (v8) Who is he who says, and it comes to pass, when the Lord doesn’t command it?
  • Ezekiel 38:10-11 (v7) “ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “It will happen in that day that things will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. You will say,…
  • Matthew 26:48-49 (v8) Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.” Immediately he came to Jesus, and said,…
  • Luke 1:78-79 (v2) because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the dawn from on high will visit us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow…
  • Luke 20:19 (v4) The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people—for they knew he had spoken this…
  • Luke 23:10 (v4) The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him.
  • John 3:10 (v4) Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things?
  • John 7:32 (v4) The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest…

100 distinct cross-references across this passage (142 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (33 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv1, 3, 4, 6 For there was another in the tribe of Zebulun.

For there was another in the tribe of Zebulun.

Wise and learned men: It is a Persian word which they use in good part.

Read full note →

Christ a poor child, laid down in a crib, and nothing set by of his own people, receiveth notwithstanding a noble witness of his divinity from heaven, and of his kingly estate of strangers: which his own also unwittingly allow of, although they do not acknowledge him.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv1–9 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 That Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, was of…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 Observe here, 1. The place of our Lord’s birth,…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On vv1, 9 It was a mark of humiliation put upon the…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–9 Saying, where is he that is born king of…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 4, 6, 8 Bethlehem of Judea - There was another Bethlehem in…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 Wise men come from the east to worship Christ,…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 Mat 2:1. Now when Jesus was born — It…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 When Jesus was born - See the full account…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 6 King Herod the Great, surnamed Ascalonite, was a foreigner,…
John Nelson Darby 1862 · Public Domain On v1 Matthew Chapter 2
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 1864 · Public Domain On v1 Matthew 2 (Luke 2)
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2–9 Saying, Where is he that is born King of…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 § 13. — COMING OF THE MAGI, Mat_2:1-10.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv1–8 Ch. Mat_2:1-12. The Visit of the Magi. Recorded by…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv1–9 (1) In the days of Herod the king.—The death…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv1–9 JESUS THE CHRIST BY HIS EARLY HISTORY answering to…
John A. Broadus 1886 · Public Domain On v1 Mat 2:1-12.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 Wise men from the East.
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v1 Chapter 2
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv1–9 1. When Jesus was born. Though the home of…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On vv1, 9 Mat_2:1. Born.—The birth of Jesus has been assigned to…
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On v1 Mat 2:1-12. “Jesus having been born in Bethlehem of…
The Sermon Bible 1900 · Public Domain On v1 Mat 2:1-2
F. W. Grant 1903 · Public Domain On v1 Subdivision 2. (Mat 2:1-23.)
J. R. Dummelow 1909 · Public Domain On v1 The Wise Men
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On v1 J. W. McGarvey's The Fourfold Gospel [XIII. Magi Visit…
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 4 Herod the king
Arno C. Gaebelein 1922 · Public Domain On v1 2. The King Worshipped by Gentiles;
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 4, 8, 9 The Wise Men from the East.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 4, 7, 9 General Information:
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 2:1-2 Attentiveness to the star indicates that the wise…
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