2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the time of king Herod, priests from the East arrived in Jerusalem,
2:2 and said, “Where is he who is born leader of the Judeans? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to offer obeisance to him.”
2:3 When king Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all of Jerusalem with him.
2:4 Gathering all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Anointed of God [Messiah, Christ] was to be born.
2:5 They said to him: “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written by the prophet:
2:6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not least among the princes of Judah: for
out of you shall come a leader that shall rule my people of Israel.”1
2:7 Then Herod covertly called the wise men and found out the precise time the star appeared.
2:8 He sent them to Bethlehem, telling them, “Go and search diligently for the young child and when you have located him, report back to me so that I can go and offer obeisance to him.”
2:9 Upon hearing the king, they left and the star that they saw in the East guided them until it appeared over where the young child was.
2:10 When they saw the star, they were elated with great joy.
2:11 As they came into the house they saw the little boy with his mother Mary and they fell to the ground worshiping him and after opening their bags, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.
2:12 After being warned by God within a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another route.
2:13 As they departed, the angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph within a dream and said, “Arise and take the young boy and his mother and flee into Egypt and stay there until I bring you word, for Herod seeks to murder the young boy.”
2:14 When he awoke, he took the young boy and his mother by night and traveled to Egypt.
2:15 They stayed there until Herod died, so that it would execute what was spoken of the LORD by the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt have I called my servant.”2
2:16 Then Herod – when he understood he had been tricked by the wise men – became exceedingly angry. He made a plan to murder all of the male children from Bethlehem and the surrounding region that were two years or younger from the time he had inquired from the wise men.
2:17 This executed what was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, who said:
2:18 “In Rama there was a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and would not be comforted because they were no more.”3
2:19 Then when Herod died, an angel of the LORD appeared within a dream to Joseph in Egypt –
2:20 saying, “Awaken and take the young boy and his mother and return to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young boy’s life are dead.”
2:21 So he awoke and took the young boy and his mother and returned to the land of Israel.
2:22 Yet when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in the place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there despite his dream – so he turned towards a part of Galilee.
2:23 Then he left and stayed in a village called Nazareth; which accomplished what was spoken by the prophets – that he shall be called a Nazarene.
Footnotes:
1. Verse 2:6.
2. Verse 2:15.
3. Verse 2:18.
2:2 and said, “Where is he who is born leader of the Judeans? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to offer obeisance to him.”
2:3 When king Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all of Jerusalem with him.
2:4 Gathering all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Anointed of God [Messiah, Christ] was to be born.
2:5 They said to him: “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written by the prophet:
2:6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not least among the princes of Judah: for
out of you shall come a leader that shall rule my people of Israel.”1
2:7 Then Herod covertly called the wise men and found out the precise time the star appeared.
2:8 He sent them to Bethlehem, telling them, “Go and search diligently for the young child and when you have located him, report back to me so that I can go and offer obeisance to him.”
2:9 Upon hearing the king, they left and the star that they saw in the East guided them until it appeared over where the young child was.
2:10 When they saw the star, they were elated with great joy.
2:11 As they came into the house they saw the little boy with his mother Mary and they fell to the ground worshiping him and after opening their bags, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.
2:12 After being warned by God within a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another route.
2:13 As they departed, the angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph within a dream and said, “Arise and take the young boy and his mother and flee into Egypt and stay there until I bring you word, for Herod seeks to murder the young boy.”
2:14 When he awoke, he took the young boy and his mother by night and traveled to Egypt.
2:15 They stayed there until Herod died, so that it would execute what was spoken of the LORD by the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt have I called my servant.”2
2:16 Then Herod – when he understood he had been tricked by the wise men – became exceedingly angry. He made a plan to murder all of the male children from Bethlehem and the surrounding region that were two years or younger from the time he had inquired from the wise men.
2:17 This executed what was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, who said:
2:18 “In Rama there was a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and would not be comforted because they were no more.”3
2:19 Then when Herod died, an angel of the LORD appeared within a dream to Joseph in Egypt –
2:20 saying, “Awaken and take the young boy and his mother and return to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young boy’s life are dead.”
2:21 So he awoke and took the young boy and his mother and returned to the land of Israel.
2:22 Yet when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in the place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there despite his dream – so he turned towards a part of Galilee.
2:23 Then he left and stayed in a village called Nazareth; which accomplished what was spoken by the prophets – that he shall be called a Nazarene.
Footnotes:
1. Verse 2:6.
Marshal your troops now, city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel's ruler on the cheek with a rod.
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.
He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the Name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.
And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders,
who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. He will deliver us from the Assyrians when they invade our land and march across our borders. (Micah 5:1-6 NIV)
2. Verse 2:15.
"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my servant.*
But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.
It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.
I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.
"Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?” (Hosea 11:1-5 NIV)
3. Verse 2:18.
This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,"
declares the LORD.
"They will return from the land of the enemy.
So there is hope for your descendants,"
declares the LORD.
"Your children will return to their own land.
"I have surely heard Ephraim's moaning: 'You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God.
After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'
Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,"
declares the LORD.
"Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. Return, Virgin Israel, return to your towns.
How long will you wander, unfaithful Daughter Israel? The LORD will create a new thing on earth— the woman will return to the man."
This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "When I bring them back from captivity, the people in the land of Judah and in its towns will once again use these words: 'The LORD bless you, you prosperous city, you sacred mountain.'
People will live together in Judah and all its towns—farmers and those who move about with their flocks.
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” (Jeremy 31:15-25 NIV)
