Focused Passage

Matthew 2:1-12

The Messiah Worshiped, Threatened, Preserved, and Called Out of Egypt

Matthew moves from Gentile worship of the newborn King, to Herod's murderous opposition, to divine preservation through Egypt, to grief in Bethlehem, and finally to the Messiah's humble settlement in Nazareth.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,

2 asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

3 When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.

5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared.

8 And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight.

11 On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Original words

After δὲ G1161 Conjunction - Τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Jesus Ἰησοῦ G2424 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular was born γεννηθέντος G1080 Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular in ἐν G1722 Preposition Bethlehem Βηθλέεμ G965 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular - τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular in Judea Ἰουδαίας G2449 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular during ἐν G1722 Preposition [the] time ἡμέραις G2250 Noun - Dative Feminine Plural - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular of King βασιλέως G935 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Herod Ἡρῴδου G2264 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular - ἰδοὺ G2400 Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Magi μάγοι G3097 Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural from [the] ἀπὸ G575 Preposition east ἀνατολῶν G395 Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural arrived παρεγένοντο G3854 Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural in εἰς G1519 Preposition Jerusalem Ἱεροσόλυμα G2414 Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Verse 2

Original words

asking λέγοντες G3004 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Where Ποῦ G4226 Adverb is ἐστιν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular the [One who] G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular has been born τεχθεὶς G5088 Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular King βασιλεὺς G935 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular of the τῶν G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Plural Jews Ἰουδαίων G2453 Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural - γὰρ G1063 Conjunction We saw εἴδομεν G3708 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural His αὐτοῦ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular - τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular star ἀστέρα G792 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular in ἐν G1722 Preposition the τῇ G3588 Article - Dative Feminine Singular east ἀνατολῇ G395 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction have come ἤλθομεν G2064 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural to worship προσκυνῆσαι G4352 Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Him αὐτῷ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular

BSB notes

  • Or as it rose
Verse 3

Original words

When δὲ G1161 Conjunction - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular King βασιλεὺς G935 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Herod Ἡρῴδης G2264 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular heard [this] Ἀκούσας G191 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular he was disturbed ἐταράχθη G5015 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction all πᾶσα G3956 Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular Jerusalem Ἱεροσόλυμα G2414 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular with μετ’ G3326 Preposition him αὐτοῦ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Verse 4

Original words

And καὶ G2532 Conjunction when he had assembled συναγαγὼν G4863 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular all πάντας G3956 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural the τοὺς G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Plural chief priests ἀρχιερεῖς G749 Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural and καὶ G2532 Conjunction scribes γραμματεῖς G1122 Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural of the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular people λαοῦ G2992 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular he asked ἐπυνθάνετο G4441 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular . . . παρ’ G3844 Preposition them αὐτῶν G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural where ποῦ G4226 Adverb the G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Christ Χριστὸς G5547 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular was to be born γεννᾶται G1080 Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Verse 5

Original words

In Ἐν G1722 Preposition Bethlehem Βηθλέεμ G965 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular - τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular in Judea Ἰουδαίας G2449 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular - Οἱ G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Plural - δὲ G1161 Conjunction they replied εἶπαν G2036 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural . . . αὐτῷ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular for γὰρ G1063 Conjunction this is what οὕτως G3779 Adverb - διὰ G1223 Preposition the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular prophet προφήτου G4396 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular has written γέγραπται G1125 Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Verse 6

Original words

[But] Καὶ G2532 Conjunction you σύ G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular Bethlehem Βηθλέεμ G965 Noun - Vocative Feminine Singular [in the] land γῆ G1093 Noun - Vocative Feminine Singular of Judah Ἰούδα G2448 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular are εἶ G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular by no means οὐδαμῶς G3760 Adverb least ἐλαχίστη G1646 Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular - Superlative among ἐν G1722 Preposition the τοῖς G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Plural rulers ἡγεμόσιν G2232 Noun - Dative Masculine Plural of Judah Ἰούδα G2448 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular for γὰρ G1063 Conjunction out ἐκ G1537 Preposition of you σοῦ G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular will come ἐξελεύσεται G1831 Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular a ruler ἡγούμενος G2233 Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular who ὅστις G3748 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular will be the shepherd ποιμανεῖ G4165 Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular - τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular of My μου G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular people λαόν G2992 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular - τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Israel Ἰσραήλ G2474 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular

BSB notes

  • Micah 5:2; see also 2 Samuel 5:2.
Verse 7

Original words

Then Τότε G5119 Adverb Herod Ἡρῴδης G2264 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular called καλέσας G2564 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular the τοὺς G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Plural Magi μάγους G3097 Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural secretly λάθρᾳ G2977 Adverb [and] learned ἠκρίβωσεν G198 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular from παρ’ G3844 Preposition them αὐτῶν G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural the τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular {exact} time χρόνον G5550 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular star ἀστέρος G792 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular had appeared φαινομένου G5316 Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular
Verse 8

Original words

And καὶ G2532 Conjunction sending πέμψας G3992 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular them αὐτοὺς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural to εἰς G1519 Preposition Bethlehem Βηθλέεμ G965 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular he said εἶπεν G2036 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Go Πορευθέντες G4198 Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural [and] search ἐξετάσατε G1833 Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural carefully ἀκριβῶς G199 Adverb for περὶ G4012 Preposition the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Neuter Singular Child παιδίου G3813 Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular and δὲ G1161 Conjunction when ἐπὰν G1875 Conjunction you find [Him] εὕρητε G2147 Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural report ἀπαγγείλατέ G518 Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural to me μοι G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular so that ὅπως G3704 Conjunction I too κἀγὼ G2504 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular may go ἐλθὼν G2064 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular [and] worship προσκυνήσω G4352 Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular Him αὐτῷ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Verse 9

Original words

- Οἱ G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Plural After δὲ G1161 Conjunction they had heard ἀκούσαντες G191 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular king βασιλέως G935 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular they went on their way ἐπορεύθησαν G4198 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural and καὶ G2532 Conjunction - ἰδοὺ G2400 Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular the G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular star ἀστὴρ G792 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular - ὃν G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular they had seen εἶδον G3708 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural in ἐν G1722 Preposition the τῇ G3588 Article - Dative Feminine Singular east ἀνατολῇ G395 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular went ahead of προῆγεν G4254 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular them αὐτούς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural until ἕως G2193 Conjunction vvv ἐλθὼν G2064 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular it stood ἐστάθη G2476 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular over ἐπάνω G1883 Preposition the place where οὗ G3757 Adverb the τὸ G3588 Article - Nominative Neuter Singular Child παιδίον G3813 Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular was ἦν G1510 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Verse 10

Original words

When δὲ G1161 Conjunction they saw ἰδόντες G3708 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural the τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular star ἀστέρα G792 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular they rejoiced ἐχάρησαν G5463 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural vvv σφόδρα G4970 Adverb vvv μεγάλην G3173 Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular with great delight χαρὰν G5479 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Verse 11

Original words

[On] καὶ G2532 Conjunction coming ἐλθόντες G2064 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural to εἰς G1519 Preposition the τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular house οἰκίαν G3614 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular they saw εἶδον G3708 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural the τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular Child παιδίον G3813 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular with μετὰ G3326 Preposition - τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular His αὐτοῦ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular mother μητρὸς G3384 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Mary Μαρίας G3137 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction they fell down πεσόντες G4098 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural [and] worshiped προσεκύνησαν G4352 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Him αὐτῷ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Then καὶ G2532 Conjunction they opened ἀνοίξαντες G455 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural - τοὺς G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Plural their αὐτῶν G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural treasures θησαυροὺς G2344 Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural [and] presented προσήνεγκαν G4374 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Him αὐτῷ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular with gifts δῶρα G1435 Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural [of] gold χρυσὸν G5557 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction frankincense λίβανον G3030 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction myrrh σμύρναν G4666 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Verse 12

Original words

And Καὶ G2532 Conjunction having been warned χρηματισθέντες G5537 Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural in κατ’ G2596 Preposition a dream ὄναρ G3677 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular not μὴ G3361 Adverb to return ἀνακάμψαι G344 Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active to πρὸς G4314 Preposition Herod Ἡρῴδην G2264 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular they withdrew ἀνεχώρησαν G402 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural to εἰς G1519 Preposition - τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular their αὐτῶν G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural country χώραν G5561 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular by δι’ G1223 Preposition another ἄλλης G243 Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular route ὁδοῦ G3598 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular

Berean Standard Bible (BSB): CC0 Public Domain Scripture text. Focused passages are drawn from the same reader contract as the full chapter. Reference sources explains external study-link sources.