Matthew 2 — Greek text and reception

Greek–English Saints Priority

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,

Greek–English Saints Priority

saying, “Where is the One born King of the Jews? For we saw His star at its rising and have come to bow before Him.”

Greek–English Saints Priority

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

Greek–English Saints Priority

He gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Christ was to be born.

Greek–English Saints Priority

They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what has been written through the prophet:

Greek–English Saints Priority

‘And you, Bethlehem, 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.’”

Greek–English Saints Priority

Then Herod secretly called the magi and ascertained from them the time when the star appeared.

Greek–English Saints Priority

He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and inquire carefully about the Child. When you find Him, report to me, so that I too may come and bow before Him.”

Greek–English Saints Priority

After hearing the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star they had seen at its rising went ahead of them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.

Greek–English Saints Priority

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

Greek–English Saints Priority

They entered the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother. Falling down, they bowed before Him; and opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Greek–English Saints Priority

Having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another way.

Greek–English Saints Priority

After they withdrew, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is about to seek the Child to destroy Him.”

Greek–English Saints Priority

He rose, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt.

Greek–English Saints Priority

He remained there until Herod’s death, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Greek–English Saints Priority

Then Herod, seeing that the magi had outwitted him, became exceedingly angry. He sent men and killed all the boys in Bethlehem and throughout its district who were two years old and under, according to the time he had ascertained from the magi.

Greek–English Saints Priority

Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

Greek–English Saints Priority

“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great lamentation: Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be comforted, because they are no more.”

Greek–English Saints Priority

After Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Greek–English Saints Priority

saying, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life have died.”

Greek–English Saints Priority

He rose, took the Child and His mother, and entered the land of Israel.

Greek–English Saints Priority

But hearing that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he feared to go there. Warned in a dream, he withdrew to the regions of Galilee.

Greek–English Saints Priority

He came and settled in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.”