Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Matthew 2:2–5

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet,
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapterReport issue
More

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

4 selected · 19 available

Add or remove verses within this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 72 ranked passages are available for comparison.

From verse 2

  1. Numbers 24:17Rank 1 from verse 2
    Open

    17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

  2. Jeremiah 23:5Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    5¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

  3. Revelation 22:16Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

  4. Isaiah 9:6–7Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

    7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

  5. Zechariah 9:9Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    9¶ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

  6. Isaiah 60:3Rank 6 from verse 2
    Open

    3And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

  7. Hebrews 1:6Rank 7 from verse 2
    Open

    6And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

  8. John 18:37Rank 8 from verse 2
    Open

    37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

  9. Matthew 2:10–11Rank 9 from verse 2
    Open

    10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

    11¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

  10. Isaiah 32:1–2Rank 10 from verse 2
    Open

    1BEHOLD, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

    2And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

  11. John 5:23Rank 11 from verse 2
    Open

    23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

  12. Luke 23:3Rank 12 from verse 2
    Open

    3And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

  13. Luke 23:38Rank 13 from verse 2
    Open

    38And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

  14. Psalms 2:6Rank 14 from verse 2
    Open

    6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

  15. Jeremiah 30:9Rank 15 from verse 2
    Open

    9But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.

  16. John 1:49Rank 16 from verse 2
    Open

    49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

  17. Luke 19:38Rank 17 from verse 2
    Open

    38Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

  18. Luke 2:11Rank 18 from verse 2
    Open

    11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

  19. Psalms 45:11Rank 19 from verse 2
    Open

    11So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

  20. John 9:38Rank 20 from verse 2
    Open

    38And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

  21. Luke 1:78–79Rank 21 from verse 2
    Open

    78Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

    79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

  22. John 12:13Rank 22 from verse 2
    Open

    13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

  23. John 19:12–15Rank 23 from verse 2
    Open

    12And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Cæsar.

    13¶ When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

    14And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

    15But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar.

  24. John 19:19Rank 24 from verse 2
    Open

    19¶ And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

  25. Matthew 27:11Rank 25 from verse 2
    Open

    11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

  26. John 20:28Rank 26 from verse 2
    Open

    28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

  27. Matthew 21:5Rank 27 from verse 2
    Open

    5Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

From verse 3

  1. Acts 17:6–7Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    6And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

    7Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cæsar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

  2. John 11:47–48Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    47¶ Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

    48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

  3. Matthew 23:37Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

  4. Acts 4:2Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

  5. Matthew 8:29Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    29And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

  6. 1 Kings 18:17–18Rank 6 from verse 3
    Open

    17¶ And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?

    18And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.

  7. Acts 16:20–21Rank 7 from verse 3
    Open

    20And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

    21And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

  8. Acts 4:24–27Rank 8 from verse 3
    Open

    24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

    25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

    26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

    27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

  9. Acts 5:24–28Rank 9 from verse 3
    Open

    24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

    25Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

    26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

    27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

    28Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

From verse 4

  1. Acts 23:9Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    9And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

  2. Acts 6:12Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

  3. Matthew 21:23Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    23¶ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

  4. Matthew 7:29Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    29For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

  5. Acts 4:5Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    5¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

  6. Jeremiah 8:8Rank 6 from verse 4
    Open

    8How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.

  7. John 18:3Rank 7 from verse 4
    Open

    3Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

  8. John 3:10Rank 8 from verse 4
    Open

    10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

  9. John 7:32Rank 9 from verse 4
    Open

    32¶ The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

  10. John 8:3Rank 10 from verse 4
    Open

    3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

  11. Luke 20:19Rank 11 from verse 4
    Open

    19¶ And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

  12. Luke 23:10Rank 12 from verse 4
    Open

    10And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

  13. 1 Chronicles 24:4–19Rank 13 from verse 4
    Open

    4And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.

    5Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.

    6And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.

    7Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

    8The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

    9The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

    10The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

    11The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,

    12The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,

    13The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

    14The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

    15The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,

    16The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,

    17The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,

    18The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.

    19These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the Lord, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.

  14. 2 Chronicles 34:13Rank 14 from verse 4
    Open

    13Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.

  15. 2 Chronicles 34:15Rank 15 from verse 4
    Open

    15And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.

  16. 2 Chronicles 36:14Rank 16 from verse 4
    Open

    14¶ Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.

  17. Ezra 10:5Rank 17 from verse 4
    Open

    5Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.

  18. Ezra 7:11–12Rank 18 from verse 4
    Open

    11¶ Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his statutes to Israel.

    12Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.

  19. Ezra 7:6Rank 19 from verse 4
    Open

    6This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.

  20. Malachi 2:7Rank 20 from verse 4
    Open

    7For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

  21. Mark 8:31Rank 21 from verse 4
    Open

    31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

  22. Matthew 13:52Rank 22 from verse 4
    Open

    52Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

  23. Matthew 21:15Rank 23 from verse 4
    Open

    15And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

  24. Matthew 26:3Rank 24 from verse 4
    Open

    3Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

  25. Matthew 26:47Rank 25 from verse 4
    Open

    47¶ And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

  26. Matthew 27:1Rank 26 from verse 4
    Open

    1WHEN the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

  27. Nehemiah 12:7Rank 27 from verse 4
    Open

    7Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua.

  28. Psalms 2:2Rank 28 from verse 4
    Open

    2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

From verse 5

  1. John 7:42Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    42Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

  2. Ruth 1:1Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    1NOW it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

  3. 1 Samuel 16:1Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    1AND the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

  4. Ruth 2:4Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    4¶ And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.

  5. Joshua 19:15Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    15And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Beth-lehem: twelve cities with their villages.

  6. Ruth 1:19Rank 6 from verse 5
    Open

    19¶ So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

  7. Ruth 4:11Rank 7 from verse 5
    Open

    11And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Beth-lehem:

  8. Genesis 35:19Rank 8 from verse 5
    Open

    19And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Beth-lehem.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 2:2

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

star

↗

Sense 1: A luminous body seen in the heavens. Sense 2: By figure or prophecy, a person, sign, or named figure represented as a star.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

east

↗

The direction of sunrise; lands or regions toward that direction.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 2:3

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heard

↗

Sense 1: Perceived by the ear. Sense 2: Received or learned by report. Sense 3: Listened to, regarded, or heeded. Sense 4: Favourably attended to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

troubled

↗

Disturbed, agitated, alarmed, perplexed, afflicted, burdened, unsettled, or caused to suffer inward, bodily, social, or outward disruption.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 2:4

COMBINED MEANING

gathered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of gather, meaning to collect, bring together, or assemble.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

chief

↗

1. First, principal, highest, leading, greatest, most excellent, most important, or most responsible in rank, order, degree, value, or guilt. 2. A leader, head, principal ruler, officer, or principal member of a group.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

priests

↗

Persons set apart to religious service, sanctuary duty, sacrifice, intercession, teaching, or representation before a deity.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

demanded

↗

Called for; claimed; challenged as due; requested; required; interrogated.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

Christ

↗

The Anointed One; the same title as Messias.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

should

↗

A verb expressing duty, propriety, expectation, intention, purpose, condition, appointed outcome, or a future event viewed from another time or statement.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 2:5

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

written

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

prophet

↗

A person who declares or bears a message as divinely inspired, including one who foretells, whether truly or falsely.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Skeat 1893

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Matthew 2:1–10

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

2:1NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2:2Saying, 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.

Selected passage

2:3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Selected passage

2:4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Selected passage

2:5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Selected passage

2:6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

2:7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

2:8And 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.

2:9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

2:10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Ask a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.