Matthew 2:11
What does Matthew 2:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 2:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 2:11 means
The Wise Men finally found Jesus, not in a manger, but in a house with Mary, His mother, likely some time after His birth in Bethlehem. Their response was immediate and profound: they "fell down and worshipped him," offering precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts were not merely customary tributes; gold signifies His kingship, frankincense His divinity (used in worship), and myrrh a prophetic foreshadowing of His suffering and death (used in embalming). Their worship demonstrates a true recognition of Jesus' unique identity as King and God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they came into the house, and saw the young child with Mary, his mother; and falling down on their faces they gave him worship; and from their store they gave him offerings of gold, perfume, and spices.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having come to the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and having fallen down they bowed to him, and having opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him: and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having come into the house they saw the little child with Mary his mother, and falling down did him homage. And having opened their treasures, they offered to him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Context
This verse details the culmination of the Wise Men's journey: their arrival, worship, and gift-giving to Jesus. This momentous encounter immediately precedes their divine warning not to return to Herod. This act of worship stands as a crucial moment in the chapter, demonstrating Gentile recognition of Christ's sovereignty, and stands in stark contrast to Herod's murderous intentions.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 2:26
And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
- Acts 10:25
And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
- John 5:22
For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son;
- Numbers 7:86
the twelve golden spoons, full of incense, weighingtenshekelsapiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the spoons a hundred and twentyshekels;
- 1 Kings 10:2
And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
- Luke 2:38
And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
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