Matthew 2:1-10

The Visit of the Wise Men

1 Now h after Jesus was born in i Bethlehem of Judea j in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men 1 from k the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is he who has been born l king of the Jews? For we saw m his star when it rose 2 and have come to n worship him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where o the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 p "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will q shepherd my people Israel.'"

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

  1. Cross References
    Luke 2:4 - 7
    And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.
  2. Cross References
    Luke 2:15
    When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.
    John 7:42
    Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?
  3. Cross References
    Luke 1:5
    In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 25:6
    But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.
    1 Kings 4:30
    So that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 27:11
    Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You have said so.
    Matthew 27:37
    And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.
    Jeremiah 23:5
    Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
    Jeremiah 30:9
    But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.
    Zechariah 9:9
    Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
  6. Cross References
    Numbers 24:17
    I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
    Revelation 22:16
    "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 8:2
    And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 1:17
    So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
  9. Cross References
    Micah 5:2
    But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
  10. Cross References
    Ezekiel 34:23
    And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.
    John 21:15 - 17
    When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs.
    2 Samuel 5:2
    In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'
    Revelation 7:17
    For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
  11. Cross References
    Micah 5:2
    But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.