Matthew 2:1-10

Wise Men Seek the King

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem,

2 saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east^[a] and have come to worship Him."^[b]

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

4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.

5 "In Bethlehem of Judea," they told him, "because this is what was written by the prophet:

6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel. "^[c]

7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared.

8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him."^[d]

9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was-the star they had seen in the east!^[e] It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was.

10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or star at its rising
• [b]. Or to pay Him homage
• [c]. Mc 5:2
• [d]. Or and pay Him homage
• [e]. Or star . . . at its rising