Matthew 2:3
Matthew 2:3 in Multiple Translations
When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when it came to the ears of Herod the king, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
When King Herod heard about it, he was very disturbed, and the whole of Jerusalem with him.
When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and all Hierusalem with him.
And Herod the king having heard, was stirred, and all Jerusalem with him,
When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
When Herod the king had heard these things , he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
When King Herod heard what those men were asking, he became worried that someone else might be proclaimed {people might proclaim someone else} king of the Jews to replace him. Many of the people of Jerusalem [MTY, HYP] also became worried because they were afraid of what King Herod might do.
Herod was the big boss over that country, and somebody told him that these wise men were talking about another big boss. Herod got very worried. He thought this other person might fight against him and take over his job. A lot of other people in Jerusalem were worried about it too.
Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 2:3
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Matthew 2:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 2:3
Study Notes — Matthew 2:3
- Context
- Cross References
- Matthew 2:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Matthew 2:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 2:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 2:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 2:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 2:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 2:3
- Cambridge Bible on Matthew 2:3
- Barnes' Notes on Matthew 2:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 2:3
- Sermons on Matthew 2:3
Context — The Pilgrimage of the Magi
3When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
4And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acts 17:6–7 | But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” |
| 2 | John 11:47–48 | Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” |
| 3 | Matthew 23:37 | O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! |
| 4 | Matthew 8:29 | “What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?” |
| 5 | Acts 4:2 | greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. |
| 6 | Acts 4:24–27 | When the believers heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’ In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. |
| 7 | 1 Kings 18:17–18 | When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” “I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals. |
| 8 | Acts 16:20–21 | They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.” |
| 9 | Acts 5:24–28 | When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this account, they were perplexed as to what was happening. Then someone came in and announced, “Look, the men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people!” At that point, the captain went with the officers and brought the apostles—but not by force, for fear the people would stone them. They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” |
Matthew 2:3 Summary
When King Herod heard that a new king had been born, he was very upset and so was the rest of Jerusalem. This was because Herod was afraid that he would lose his power and position, as Jesus was born to be the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2). Herod's reaction shows us that the news of Jesus' birth is not just a happy story, but a call to respond to His rule and authority, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20 and Romans 10:9. We can learn from Herod's mistake by choosing to surrender to Jesus' lordship and follow Him, rather than resisting or rejecting Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was King Herod disturbed when he heard about the birth of Jesus?
King Herod was disturbed because he saw Jesus as a threat to his power and position, as indicated by the Magi's statement that Jesus was born King of the Jews, which is also referenced in Matthew 2:2. This fear was likely fueled by his own experience of rising to power and maintaining it through violent means, as seen in Matthew 2:16.
What does it mean that all Jerusalem was disturbed with King Herod?
The fact that all Jerusalem was disturbed with King Herod suggests that the city was aware of Herod's anxiety and was likely intimidated by his reaction, as people often are when a leader is agitated, similar to how the Israelites were affected by King Saul's behavior in 1 Samuel 22:17-18.
How does King Herod's reaction to Jesus' birth relate to the larger biblical narrative?
King Herod's reaction to Jesus' birth is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Jeremiah 31:15, which speaks of the weeping and mourning of the people of Ramah, and it also foreshadows the opposition that Jesus would face throughout His ministry, as seen in Matthew 16:21 and Luke 13:33.
What can we learn from King Herod's response to the news of Jesus' birth?
We can learn that the news of Jesus' birth is not just a historical event, but a spiritual reality that can evoke a range of responses, from worship and adoration, as seen in the Magi, to fear and hostility, as seen in King Herod, and that our response to Jesus will have eternal consequences, as taught in Revelation 20:15.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I might be resisting or rejecting the rule of Jesus in my own life, and how can I surrender to His lordship?
- How can I cultivate a heart of worship and adoration for Jesus, like the Magi, in the face of opposition or uncertainty?
- What are some ways that I can be a source of peace and comfort to those around me, rather than a source of disturbance and fear, as King Herod was?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty and providence, even when faced with uncertain or threatening circumstances, as the people of Jerusalem were?
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 2:3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 2:3
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 2:3
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 2:3
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 2:3
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 2:3
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 2:3
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 2:3
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 2:3
Sermons on Matthew 2:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
006 - Gentiles Reveal Jesus to the Jews by David Servant | This sermon delves into the events surrounding the arrival of the Magi in Jerusalem, highlighting Herod's troubled reaction and the response of the chief priests and scribes who kn |
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The Pre-Imminence of Christ by Walter Wilson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the number eight in the Bible. They mention that David, the eighth son of his father, started a new dynasty in Israel, sym |
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Luke Tells Us More About the Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-20 by David Servant | David Servant preaches on the miraculous circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy of the Old Testament prophet Micah. Despite the humble a |
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Jesus the Troubler of Jerusalem by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar explores the troubling arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem, emphasizing how the news of His birth, rather than bringing joy, caused fear and unrest among the people and th |
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Paralysis of Preoccupation by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill addresses the 'Paralysis of Preoccupation,' illustrating how King Herod, consumed by his political troubles, missed the monumental birth of Jesus just a short rid |
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Second Sermon on the Mount by Sir Robert Anderson | Sir Robert Anderson delves into the Gospel of St. Matthew as the connecting link between the past and the future in prophecy, emphasizing the Messianic promises associated with Dav |
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Life Changing Message!!@! - His and His Alone by K.P. Yohannan | This sermon emphasizes the radical commitment to following Jesus, illustrated through personal stories of persecution, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. It highlights the importance |






