Matthew 2:1-8

The Magi Visit the Messiah

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi^[a] from the east came to Jerusalem

2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

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

4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah 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 shepherd my people Israel.’^[b] ”

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

8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

Cross References

• 1. Luke 2:4-7
• 2. Luke 1:5
• 3. Jeremiah 23:5; Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:38; John 1:49; John 18:33-37
• 4. Numbers 24:17
• 5. John 7:42
• 6. 2 Samuel 5:2; Micah 5:2

Footnotes

• [a] Traditionally "wise men"
• [b] Micah 5:2,4