Matthew 2 11

Matthew 2:11 kjv

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.

Matthew 2:11 nkjv

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11 niv

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11 esv

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11 nlt

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2 verses

Matthew 2 11 Meaning

Mat 2:11 describes the culmination of the Magi's diligent search for the "King of the Jews." Upon finding the young child Jesus with Mary, they prostrated themselves in deep reverence and worshiped Him. As an expression of their adoration and recognition of His unique status, they opened their treasure chests and offered Him three symbolic and valuable gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This verse underscores the divine recognition of Jesus by Gentile outsiders, foreshadowing His universal reign and salvation.

Matthew 2 11 Context

Mat 2 begins after the birth of Jesus, detailing the arrival of Magi from the East in Jerusalem, asking about the newborn "King of the Jews." This news greatly troubled King Herod and all Jerusalem with him. Herod, deceitfully feigning desire to worship, gathered the chief priests and scribes who, based on Micah 5:2, correctly identified Bethlehem as the Messiah's birthplace. Directed by a star which reappeared, the Magi journeyed to Bethlehem. Mat 2:11 records the moment of their discovery, worship, and offering of gifts, marking a pivotal scene before Jesus' family's flight to Egypt to escape Herod's murderous intent. This specific verse portrays the immediate reaction and profound devotion of these Gentile seekers, starkly contrasting with Herod's hostility and the religious leaders' indifference. The setting of "the house" rather than a stable suggests that some time had passed since Jesus' birth, possibly several months, as the Holy Family had established a dwelling in Bethlehem.

Matthew 2 11 Word analysis

• And when they were come (καὶ ἐλθόντες - kai elthontes): Signifies completion of their arduous, guided journey. Their arrival is purposeful, directly linked to their diligent seeking of the new King.

• into the house (εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν - eis tēn oikian): The Greek word oikian clearly denotes a "house" or "dwelling," not the katalyma (inn) or phatnē (manger) of Lk 2:7, 12. This detail strongly implies a period had elapsed since Jesus' birth in the stable, likely weeks or months, indicating the Holy Family had settled.

• they saw (εἶδον - eidon): A direct observation. They didn't just hear; they personally encountered Him, which led to their profound reaction.

• the young child (τὸ παιδίον - to paidion): This term in Greek (diminutive of pais, "child") refers to a child, not necessarily a newborn infant (brephos), further supporting the idea that Jesus was no longer a babe in swaddling clothes but a small child, potentially up to two years old, aligning with Herod's subsequent decree in Mat 2:16.

• with Mary his mother (μετὰ Μαρίας τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ - meta Marias tēs mētros autou): Mary's presence highlights her pivotal role as the mother of the Messiah. The mention of the mother but not Joseph at this specific point of "seeing" (though Joseph is implicitly present as head of household) emphasizes Mary's direct relation to "the young child" the Magi had come to find.

• and fell down (καὶ πεσόντες - kai pesontes): This Greek participle pesontes means "having fallen," implying immediate prostration. It signifies deep respect, profound reverence, or submission, a common posture of obeisance before royalty or deity in the ancient Near East.

• and worshiped him (προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ - prosekynēsan autō): The Greek proskyneō means "to prostrate oneself in adoration, to do obeisance to." While it can occasionally refer to bowing before a human dignitary, its predominant usage in the Bible, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, is for worship of God. Applied to Jesus, it unequivocally demonstrates their recognition of His divine and/or supreme royal status. This is the first recorded instance of worship directed toward Jesus in Matthew's Gospel, setting a foundational understanding of His identity.

• And when they had opened their treasures (καὶ ἀνοίξαντες τοὺς θησαυροὺς αὐτῶν - kai anoixantes tous thēsaurous autōn): These were not merely personal bags, but "treasure chests" or "storerooms," indicating valuable possessions carried over a long journey. The act of "opening" implies a deliberate, intentional offering of their most precious items.

• they presented unto him gifts (προσηνεγκαν αὐτῷ δῶρα - prosēnenkan autō dōra): To "present" is prosenkō, "to bring to, to offer." Dōra refers to "gifts" or "offerings," implying a free-will offering of value, often made to a superior or deity. The offering is voluntary and an act of homage.

• gold, and frankincense, and myrrh (χρυσός καὶ λίβανος καὶ σμύρνα - chrysos kai libanos kai smyrna):

  • Gold (χρυσός - chrysos): A precious metal, universally associated with royalty, kingship, and divine glory. It recognizes Jesus as the King of the Jews.
  • Frankincense (λίβανος - libanos): An aromatic gum resin, sacred in ancient religious worship. It was burned as incense in the Temple service (Ex 30:34), symbolizing prayer ascending to God and deity. It acknowledges Jesus' divine nature or His role as High Priest.
  • Myrrh (σμύρνα - smyrna): Another aromatic resin, used both as an anointing oil/perfume and, notably, in embalming the dead (Jn 19:39). This gift subtly foreshadows Jesus' future suffering, death, and burial, signifying His humanity and sacrificial role as Savior.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "fell down and worshiped him": This tandem expression underscores the profound reverence and spiritual acknowledgment of the Magi. Their physical prostration complemented their spiritual act of adoration, signifying an immediate and overwhelming recognition of Jesus' inherent dignity. This posture was reserved for deities or supreme rulers, solidifying their understanding of Jesus' unique identity beyond merely a temporal king.
  • "gold, and frankincense, and myrrh": These three distinct, precious gifts are not coincidental but hold rich prophetic and symbolic significance. Together, they form a cohesive "portrait" of Jesus' multi-faceted identity and mission: His royalty (gold), His divinity/priesthood (frankincense), and His redemptive suffering and death (myrrh). This grouping serves as a concise theological statement about the Messiah.

Matthew 2 11 Bonus section

• Polemics: The narrative of the Magi's visit and worship contains a subtle yet potent polemic against false forms of worship and against spiritual blindness. While the Jewish religious elite in Jerusalem had the Scriptures and could identify Bethlehem, they failed to act on this knowledge with faith or reverence. Instead, it was "outsiders" — pagans, Gentiles, students of "stars" — who sought out, recognized, and worshiped the true King. This challenges those with religious knowledge but no corresponding devotion and foreshadows God's judgment on spiritual indifference and pride. Herod's pretense of wanting to "worship" Him, when his true intent was to kill, also starkly contrasts with the genuine worship of the Magi.
• Historical Timeline: The Magi's visit to a "house" and the fact that Herod ordered the slaughter of male children "two years old and under" (Mat 2:16) indicates that Jesus was no longer a newborn. Scholars suggest the visit occurred several months, possibly up to a year and a half, after Jesus' birth. This nuance often corrects popular depictions of the Magi at the manger immediately after birth.
• The Magi's Journey: Their long and perilous journey highlights themes of sacrifice, persistence, and discernment. Their faith compelled them to traverse vast distances based on a prophetic sign, trusting in divine guidance to find the promised King, setting an example for seeking Christ earnestly.

Matthew 2 11 Commentary

Matthew 2:11 marks a deeply symbolic and pivotal moment in the early narrative of Jesus. The Magi, wise men or astrologers likely from Persia or Mesopotamia, represent the Gentile world, whose long-distance journey and persistent seeking highlight genuine faith and a spiritual hunger for the true King. Their diligent pursuit, guided by a celestial sign and prophetic Scripture (provided by Herod's Jewish scholars), stands in stark contrast to the apathy or hostility of many within Israel's religious and political leadership. Their act of "falling down and worshiping" is far more than cultural reverence; it signifies true adoration and a profound acknowledgment of Jesus' supreme identity.

The precious gifts — gold, frankincense, and myrrh — are laden with meaning. Gold acknowledges Jesus as the prophesied King of Israel, whose dominion would extend beyond geographical boundaries. Frankincense, used in priestly anointing and Temple worship, points to His divine nature and priestly role as God incarnate. Myrrh, a costly embalming spice, uniquely foreshadows His suffering, death, and burial, prefiguring His redemptive sacrifice for humanity. Together, these gifts present a holistic theological summary of who Jesus is: King, God, and Suffering Savior.

This event also illustrates God's universal plan of salvation, revealing Jesus as a light not just for Israel but for the Gentiles (Isa 49:6). The Magi's devotion also offers an implicit challenge to all: how does one respond to the revelation of Christ? Their response of seeking, worship, and costly offering stands as a model for all who encounter Him. These gifts may also have been providentially given, providing the material resources needed by Joseph and Mary for their immediate flight into Egypt, a necessary part of God's protective plan for His Son.