Matthew – Chapter 2

New Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

"When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem," — so begins Matthew 2. The chapter centers on Herod, Joseph and Jeremiah. Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem,

2Saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to adore him.

3And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

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

5But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:

6And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.

7Then Herod, privately calling the wise men learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them;

8And 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.

9Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the East, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was.

10And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11And 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.

12And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.

13And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him.

14Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod:

15That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry: and sending killed all the menchildren that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying:

18A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt,

20Saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child.

21Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22But hearing that Archclaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee.

23And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene.

Important Verses in Matthew 2

When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem,

Matthew 2:1

That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Matthew 2:15

But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt,

Matthew 2:19

And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene.

Matthew 2:23

Historical Context

Matthew belongs to the New Testament and was composed for jewish Christians, shown that Jesus fulfills the Scriptures of Israel. Chapter 2 of 28 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Herod, Joseph, Jeremiah and Rachel appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the…" It concludes: "And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall…" The wider setting of Matthew is this: Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—the Son of David, the new Moses who delivers the Sermon on the Mount. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. A pivotal line is verse 1: "When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem," The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2578).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

People in This Chapter

Herod9 mentionsJoseph2 mentionsJeremiah1 mentionRachel1 mentionMary1 mention

Reflection for Today

Matthew Chapter 2 belongs to the New Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). Here the believer is invited to ponder perseverance through trial.

May your reading of Matthew Chapter 2 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matthew Chapter 2 about?

Matthew 2 contains 23 verses. It opens with "When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the…" and closes with "And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall…". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Matthew 2?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Matthew Chapter 2?

This chapter mentions Herod, Joseph, Jeremiah, Rachel, Mary.

Who wrote Matthew and when?

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition. About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

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