Devine Scripture

Matthew 2:3

What does Matthew 2:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 2:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 2:3 means

The news of a newborn "King of the Jews" profoundly disturbed King Herod. His reaction was not joy, but fear and suspicion, understanding this new king as a potential rival to his own throne. Notably, "all Jerusalem with him" was also troubled, suggesting a pervasive anxiety, perhaps due to Herod's known cruelty and the potential for a violent crackdown. This immediate opposition to Jesus' kingship, even from infancy, foreshadows the constant spiritual battle that will characterize His earthly ministry.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when it came to the ears of Herod the king, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Herod the king having heard, was stirred, and all Jerusalem with him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Herod the king having heard [of it], was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;

Context

Herod's troubled reaction in this verse is a direct consequence of the Wise Men's question in the previous verse. This pivotal response sets the antagonist for the chapter and initiates Herod's manipulative plotting. His fear is the catalyst for gathering his religious advisors, leading to the identification of Bethlehem as the Messiah's birthplace.

v.2Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

v.3This passage

v.4And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Kings 18:17

    And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Is it thou, thou troubler of Israel?

  • Acts 16:20

    and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

  • Acts 4:2

    being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

  • Acts 4:24

    And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:

  • John 11:47

    The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.

  • Acts 5:24

    Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow.

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