Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

MATTHEW 2:1KJV
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Matthew 2:1 (KJV)

What does Matthew 2:1 mean?

Matthew 2:1 tells how Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a town in the region of Judea, during the reign of King Herod. It then introduces wise men who traveled from the east to Jerusalem, marking the beginning of the story about their search for the newborn king.

Matthew, writing to a Jewish audience, sets the scene by naming the place (Bethlehem of Judea), the time (the days of Herod the king), and the main figures involved. The mention of wise men from the east hints at the global significance of Jesus’s birth and prepares the reader for the events that follow, where these visitors seek out the child in Jerusalem.

The Greek behind Matthew 2:1

  • "Μάγοι" (magoi, transliterated as "men" in the tags): This word refers to wise men, often understood as astrologers or scholars from the east, likely Persia or Babylon. Their presence signals that Jesus’s birth drew attention beyond Israel.
  • "ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν" (apo anatolōn, "from the east"): The Greek phrase points to lands east of Israel, emphasizing the distance and effort these men undertook to find Jesus.
  • "Ἰησοῦς" (Iēsous, "Jesus"): The Greek form of the name Jesus, which means "Yahweh saves," is used here to introduce the central figure of the Gospel.

Why Matthew 2:1 matters

  • Matthew 2:1 sets the historical and geographical context for the story of Jesus’s early life, anchoring it in real places and times.
  • The mention of wise men from the east highlights that Jesus’s birth had significance for people outside of Israel, hinting at a broader purpose.
  • By introducing King Herod, the verse foreshadows the tension and conflict that will arise as the story unfolds, especially regarding Herod’s reaction to the news of a new king.

Where else these words appear

“men” Greek G3097 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

“Bethlehem” Greek G965 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

“east” Greek G395 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
  • Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
  • Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

“came” Greek G3854 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • John 8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
  • Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.