Matthew 2
Wycliffe Bible
2 Therefore when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, lo! astrologers [lo! kings, or wise men,] came from the east to Jerusalem,
2 and said [saying], Where is he, that is born [the] king of Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and we have come to worship him.
3 But king Herod heard, and was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And he gathered together all the princes of priests, and scribes of the people, and inquired of them, where Christ should be born.
5 And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Juda; for so it is written by a prophet,
6 And thou, Bethlehem, the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for of thee a duke shall go out, that shall govern my people Israel.
7 Then Herod called privily the astrologers [the kings], and learned busily of them [busily learned of them] the time of the star that appeared to them.
8 And he sent them into Bethlehem, and said, Go ye, and ask ye busily of the child, and when ye have found, tell ye it to me [tell again to me], that I also come, and worship him.
9 And when they had heard the king, they went forth [went away]. And lo! the star, that they saw in the east [And lo! the star which they saw in the east], went before them, till it came, and stood above, where the child was.
10 And they saw the star, and joyed with a full great joy.
11 And they entered into the house, and found the child with Mary, his mother; and they felled down, and worshipped him. And when they had opened their treasures, they offered to him gifts, gold, incense, and myrrh.
12 And when they had taken an answer in sleep, that they should not turn again to Herod, they turned again by another way into their [own] country.[a]
13 And when they were gone [And when they had gone away], lo! the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in sleep, and said [saying], Rise up, and take the child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there, till that I say to thee; for it is to come, that Herod seek the child, to destroy him [to lose him].
14 And Joseph rose [up], and took the child and his mother by night, and went into Egypt,
15 and he was there till the death of Herod; that it should be fulfilled, that was said of the Lord by the prophet, saying, From Egypt I have called my son.
16 Then Herod seeing that he was scorned, either deceived, of the astrologers [Then Herod seeing that he was scorned, or deceived, of the kings], was full wroth; and he sent, and slew all the children, that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years age and within, after the time that he had inquired of the astrologers [after the time that he had sought out of the kings].
17 Then it was fulfilled, that was said by Jeremy, the prophet, saying,
18 A voice was heard on high, weeping and much wailing, Rachel beweeping her sons, and she would not be comforted, for they be nought [for they be not].
19 But when Herod was dead, lo! the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in sleep in Egypt, [Soothly Herod dead, lo! the angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt,]
20 and said [saying], Rise up, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they that sought the life of the child be dead.
21 Joseph rose [up], and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 And he heard that Archelaus reigned in Judaea for Herod, his father, and dreaded to go thither. And he was warned in sleep, and went into the parts of Galilee;
23 and [he] came, and dwelt in a city, that is called Nazareth, that it should be fulfilled, that was said by prophets, For he shall be called a Nazarene.
Footnotes
- Matthew 2:12 And an answer taken in sleep, that they should not turn again to Herod, they be turned by another way into their own country.
Matthew 2
New Matthew Bible
The time and place of Christ’s birth. The wise men offer their presents. Christ flees into Egypt. The young children are slain. Christ turns in to Galilee.
2 When Jesus was born at Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And he gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 And they said to him, At Bethlehem in Judea. For thus it is written by the prophet: 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, are not the least among the princes of Judah, for out of you shall come the leader who will govern my people Israel.
7 Then Herod privately called the wise men and carefully enquired of them when the star had appeared, 8 and sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child. And when you have found him, bring me word so that I may come and worship him also.
9 When 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 the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were marvellously glad, 11 and went into the house and found the child with Mary his mother, and kneeled down and worshipped him, and opened their treasures and offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And after they were warned by God in a dream that they should not go again to Herod, they returned into their own country another way.
13 When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there till I bring you word. For Herod will seek the child to kill him.
14 Then he arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, to fulfil that which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, which says, Out of Egypt have I called my Son.
16 Then Herod, perceiving that the wise men had gotten around him, was exceedingly angry, and sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in all its vicinity – as many as were two years old and under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, 18 On the hills a voice was heard, mourning, weeping, and great lamentation: Rachel weeping for her children. And she would not be comforted, because they were no more.
19 When Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead who sought the child’s life.
21 Then he arose up and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. After he was warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee, 23 and went and dwelt in a village called Nazareth, to fulfil that which was spoken by the prophets: He shall be called a Nazarite.
Matthew 2
1599 Geneva Bible
2 The wise men, who are the firstfruits of the Gentiles, worship Christ. 14 Joseph fled into Egypt with Jesus and his mother. 16 Herod slayeth the children.
1 When (A)[a]Jesus then was born at Bethlehem in [b]Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came [c]Wise men from the East to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is the King of the Jews that is born? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him.
3 When king Herod heard this, he was [d]troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And gathering together all the [e]chief Priests and [f]Scribes of the people, he asked of them, where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, At Bethlehem in Judea: for so it is written by the Prophet,
6 (B)And thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah, art not the [g]least among the Princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come the governor that [h]shall feed my people Israel.
7 Then Herod privily called the Wise men, and diligently inquired of them the time of the star that appeared,
8 And sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go, and search diligently for the babe: and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come also, and worship him.
9 ¶ So when they had heard the king, they departed: and lo, the star which they had seen in the East, went before them, till it came and stood over the place where the babe was.
10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with an exceeding great joy,
11 And went into the house, and found the babe with Mary his mother, and [i]fell down, and worshipped him, and opened their [j]treasures, and presented unto him gifts, even gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And after they were [k]warned of God in a dream, that they should not go again to Herod, they returned into their country another way.
13 ¶ [l]After their departure, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the babe and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there till I bring thee word, for Herod will seek the babe to destroy him.
14 So he arose and took the babe and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.
15 And was there unto the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled, which is spoken of the Lord by the (C)Prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 ¶ Then Herod, seeing that he was mocked of the Wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently searched out of the Wise men.
17 Then was that fulfilled which is spoken [m]by the Prophet Jeremiah, saying,
18 (D)In Ramah was [n]a voice heard, mourning, and weeping, and great howling: [o]Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they were not.
19 [p]And when Herod was dead, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take the babe and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the babe’s life.
21 Then he arose up, and took the babe and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: yet after he was warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee.
23 And went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets, which was, That he should be called a Nazarite.
Footnotes
- Matthew 2:1 Christ a poor child, laid down in a crib, and nothing set by of his own people, receiveth notwithstanding a noble witness of his divinity from heaven, and of his kingly estate of strangers: which his own also unwittingly allow of, although they do not acknowledge him.
- Matthew 2:1 For there was another in the tribe of Zebulun.
- Matthew 2:1 Wise and learned men: It is a Persian word which they use in good part.
- Matthew 2:3 Was much moved, for he was a stranger, and came to the kingdom by force: and the Jews were troubled: for wickedness is mad and raging.
- Matthew 2:4 The chief priests, that is, such as were of Aaron’s family, which were divided into four and twenty orders, 1 Chron. 14:5 and 2 Chron. 36:14.
- Matthew 2:4 They that expound the Law to the people, for the Hebrews take this word of another, which signifieth as much as to expound and declare.
- Matthew 2:6 Though thou be a small town, yet shalt thou be very famous and notable through the birth of the Messiah, who shall be born in thee.
- Matthew 2:6 That shall rule and govern: for Kings are fitly called leaders and shepherds of the people.
- Matthew 2:11 A kind of humble and lovely reverence.
- Matthew 2:11 The rich and costly presents, which they brought him.
- Matthew 2:12 God warned and told them of it, whereas they asked it not.
- Matthew 2:13 Christ being yet scarce born, beginneth to be crucified for us, both in himself, and also in his members.
- Matthew 2:17 For God speaketh by the mouth of the Prophets.
- Matthew 2:18 A voice of lamenting, weeping, and howling.
- Matthew 2:18 That is to say, All that compass about Bethlehem: for Rachel Jacob’s wife, who died in childbirth, was buried in the way that leadeth to this town, which is also called Ephrathah, because of the fruitfulness of the soil, and plenty of corn.
- Matthew 2:19 Christ is brought up in Nazareth, after the death of the tyrant by God’s providence: that by the very name of the place, it might plainly appear to the world, that he is the Lord’s true Nazarite.
Matthew 2
Authorized (King James) Version
2 Now 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 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. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And 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.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And 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.
9 When 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. 10 When 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. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he 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 of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. 21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 23 and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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