Matthew 2:1

The Visit of the Wise Men

2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem ¹  in Judea, in the time ²  of King Herod, ³  wise men ⁴  from the East came to Jerusalem ⁵ 

Matthew 2:5

2:5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet:

Matthew 2:22

2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus ⁶  was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, ⁷  he was afraid to go there. After being warned in a dream, he went to the regions of Galilee.

[2:1]  ¹ map For location see Map5 B1; Map7 E2; Map8 E2; Map10 B4.

[2:1]  ² tn Grk “in the days.”

[2:1]  ³ sn King Herod was Herod the Great, who ruled Palestine from 37 b.c. until he died in 4 b.c. He was known for his extensive building projects (including the temple in Jerusalem) and for his cruelty.

[2:1]  ⁴ sn The Greek term magi here describes a class of wise men and priests who were astrologers (L&N 32.40).

[2:1]  ⁵ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[2:22]  ⁶ sn Archelaus took after his father Herod the Great in terms of cruelty and ruthlessness, so Joseph was afraid to go there. After further direction in a dream, he went instead to Galilee.

[2:22]  ⁷ sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1.