Matthew 2 Overview

In this chapter, wise men from the east seek the newborn King of the Jews, leading to King Herod’s plot against the child Jesus, the family’s flight to Egypt, and their eventual settlement in Nazareth, fulfilling prophecies.

The Wise Men’s Arrival and Inquiry (vv. 1-8)

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet, 6 ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a governor who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’” 7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.”

• Wise men arrive in Jerusalem guided by a star, seeking the newborn King of the Jews. Herod, disturbed, consults religious leaders who cite prophecy pointing to Bethlehem, then secretly instructs the wise men to report back under false pretenses.

The Wise Men’s Worship and Departure (vv. 9-12)

9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them until it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

• The star leads the wise men to Jesus in Bethlehem, where they worship him and present gifts. Warned in a dream, they avoid Herod and return home by another route.

The Flight to Egypt (vv. 13-15)

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” 14 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

• An angel warns Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape Herod’s threat, fulfilling a prophecy about God’s son being called out of Egypt.

Herod’s Massacre (vv. 16-18)

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more.”

• Enraged by the wise men’s departure, Herod orders the killing of all male infants in Bethlehem, fulfilling Jeremiah’s prophecy of mourning in Ramah.

Return to Nazareth (vv. 19-23)

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20 “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.” 21 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee, 23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

• After Herod’s death, an angel instructs Joseph to return to Israel. Fearing Herod’s son Archelaus, and guided by another dream, they settle in Nazareth in Galilee, fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah being a Nazarene.