Devine Scripture

Matthew 2:8

What does Matthew 2:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 2:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 2:8 means

Herod dispatched the Wise Men to Bethlehem, feigning a pious desire to worship the newborn King himself. His instruction to "search out exactly concerning the young child" and then report back was a thinly veiled attempt to locate and eliminate the prophetic threat to his throne. His hypocrisy is evident as he masks his murderous intent with a pretense of devotion. This command directly places the Wise Men on their path to Jesus, unknowing pawns in Herod's scheme.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he sent them to Beth-lehem and said, Go and make certain where the young child is; and when you have seen him, let me have news of it, so that I may come and give him worship.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having sent them to Beth-Lehem, he said, `Having gone--inquire ye exactly for the child, and whenever ye may have found, bring me back word, that I also having come may bow to him.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and having sent them to Bethlehem, said, Go, search out accurately concerning the child, and when ye shall have found [him] bring me back word, so that I also may come and do him homage.

Context

This verse records Herod's deceptive instructions to the Wise Men, directly following his private meeting with them where he learned the star's timing. This command sends them on their way to Bethlehem and immediately precedes their divinely guided journey to the baby Jesus. Herod's words here establish his false piety, forming a dark contrast to the Wise Men's genuine worship.

v.7Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared.

v.8This passage

v.9And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 33:10

    Jehovah bringeth the counsel of the nations to nought; He maketh the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.

  • Lamentations 3:37

    Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

  • Proverbs 26:24

    He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:

  • Psalms 12:2

    They speak falsehood every one with his neighbor: With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.

  • Proverbs 21:30

    There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.

  • 2 Samuel 17:14

    And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For Jehovah had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Jehovah might bring evil upon Absalom.

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