Matthew 2:1-12

The Visit of the Magi

1 Now after Jesus was ¹born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of ²Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

2 "Where is He who has been born ³King of the Jews? For we saw ⁴His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.

5 They said to him, "⁵In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

6 '⁶AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL ⁷SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.' "

7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time ⁸the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him."

9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with ⁹Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and ¹⁰worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And having been ¹¹warned by God ¹²in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

Cross References

• 1. Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-7
• 2. Luke 1:5
• 3. Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 30:9; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 27:11; Luke 19:38; Luke 23:38; John 1:49
• 4. Numbers 24:17
• 5. John 7:42
• 6. Micah 5:2; John 7:42
• 7. John 21:16
• 8. Numbers 24:17
• 9. Matthew 1:18; Matthew 12:46
• 10. Matthew 14:33
• 11. Matt 2:13, 19, 22; Luke 2:26; Acts 10:22; Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 11:7
• 12. Job 33:15, 16; Matthew 1:20

Footnotes

• [a] A caste of wise men specializing in astronomy, astrology, and natural science
• [b] Gr "Christos (Christ)"
• [c] Or "through"
• [d] Lit "the time of the appearing star"
• [e] Lit "prostrated;" i.e. face down in a prone position to indicate worship