Bible Strands
Matthew 2:1
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Matthew addresses his readers at the opening of his second chapter, marking the narrative transition from Jesus’ infancy in Nazareth to the events following his birth in Bethlehem. The words — γεννηθέντος (gennēthentos) means "having been born," and δὲ (de) functions as a narrative connector meaning "Now" or "But," anchoring the timeline to Herod’s reign. The thread — The Bethlehem birth location echoes Micah 5:2, John 7:42, and Luke 2:4, which consistently identify it as the prophesied origin of the Davidic ruler. Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that a political figure (Herod) and foreign observers (Magi) immediately intersect with a local birth, requiring the reader to track how prophecy and power collide.
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The Greek words
King James Version
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Cross-references
- Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
- John 7:42 Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ will come from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?”
- Luke 2:4 So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.
- Psalms 72:9 May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
- Luke 2:11 Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
- Isaiah 11:10 On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious.
- Genesis 49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.
- Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
- Haggai 2:6 For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
- Genesis 25:6 But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.