Thematic Bible
Matthew 2:1 (show verse)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod. Astrologers arrived in Jerusalem from the east.
Matthew 2:2 (show verse)
They asked: Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and came to offer him praise.
Matthew 2:3 (show verse)
King Herod was troubled when he heard this. Jerusalem was also troubled.
Matthew 2:4 (show verse)
He called together all the chief priests and teachers of the Law and asked where will the Messiah be born?
Matthew 2:5 (show verse)
Bethlehem in Judea, they answered. This is what the prophet wrote:
Matthew 2:6 (show verse)
Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are not the least of the leading cities of Judah. A leader will come out of you. He will shepherd my people Israel.
Matthew 2:7 (show verse)
Then Herod secretly called the astrologers to find out exactly the time the star appeared.
Matthew 2:8 (show verse)
He sent them to Bethlehem. He said: Search diligently for the young child. When you find him, bring me word so I may come and bow down to him also.
Matthew 2:9 (show verse)
After they heard the king, they followed the star until it stopped over the place where the child was.
Matthew 2:10 (show verse)
They were overwhelmed with joy to see the star.
Matthew 2:11 (show verse)
They entered the house and saw the young child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and paid him homage. Then they opened their treasure chests and offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:12 (show verse)
God warned the astrologers in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they departed for their country by a different road.
Matthew 2:13 (show verse)
When they left, the angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream and said: Herod is looking to kill the young child. Arise, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you to leave.
Matthew 2:14 (show verse)
Joseph took the child and his mother to Egypt.
Matthew 2:15 (show verse)
They did not return until the death of Herod. The words spoken by Jehovah through the prophet were fulfilled: I called my son out of Egypt. (Hosea 11:1)
Matthew 2:16 (show verse)
Herod saw that the astrologers tricked him and he was furious. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys two years old and younger in or near Bethlehem. This matched the time he learned from the astrologers.
Matthew 2:17 (show verse)
Jeremiah's prophecy came true:
Matthew 2:18 (show verse)
A sound was heard in Ramah, the sound of crying in bitter grief. Rachel is weeping for her children. She would not be comforted, because they were dead.
Matthew 2:19 (show verse)
After Herod died God's angel appeared in a dream to Joseph who was in Egypt.
Matthew 2:20 (show verse)
The angel told him: Take the child and his mother and go to Israel. Those who tried to kill the child are dead.
Matthew 2:21 (show verse)
Joseph took the child and his mother to Israel.
Matthew 2:22 (show verse)
When he heard that Archelaus succeeded his father, Herod, as king of Judea, Joseph feared going. Warned in a dream, he left for Galilee instead.
Matthew 2:23 (show verse)
He made his home in Nazareth. Thus the prophecy came true: He [Jesus] will be called a Nazarene.