Matthew 2 3

Matthew 2:3 kjv

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

Matthew 2:3 nkjv

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 2:3 niv

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 2:3 esv

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;

Matthew 2:3 nlt

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.

Matthew 2 verses

Matthew 2 3 Meaning

When King Herod heard the news of a "King of the Jews" being born, he was deeply disturbed. This news also caused great apprehension and unrest throughout Jerusalem. The verse highlights the immediate worldly reaction of fear and political upheaval caused by the announcement of the true divine King.

Matthew 2 3 Context

Matthew chapter 2 begins with the arrival of the Magi (wise men) from the East in Jerusalem, announcing their search for the "King of the Jews" whose star they had seen. This news, spoken by foreign dignitaries directly questioning the whereabouts of a rival king, directly challenged Herod's political and existential authority. Historically, Herod the Great was an Idumaean ruler appointed by Rome, known for his extreme paranoia, ruthless cruelty, and willingness to execute family members and potential rivals to secure his throne. The capital city of Jerusalem lived under his volatile rule. The news of a new king would naturally trouble him, as it signaled a threat to his carefully maintained power. Jerusalem, knowing Herod's nature and the potential for Roman intervention if civil unrest broke out, was troubled alongside him, fearing the ramifications of his likely violent response or widespread upheaval.

Matthew 2 3 Word analysis

• When (Τότε, Tote): Signifies an immediate and direct consequence. The news acted as a direct catalyst for the stated reaction.

• Herod the king (Ἡρώδης ὁ βασιλεύς, Hērōdēs ho basileus): Specifically identifies Herod the Great. Emphasizes his official regal status, highlighting the stark contrast between his earthly, Roman-sanctioned rule and the spiritual, divine kingship of the newborn Christ, who threatened his authority. His title highlights his insecurity; his legitimacy was external, not inherent.

• heard this (ἀκούσας, akousas): Implies not merely rumor but definite news, likely delivered by the wise men or official channels, making it a credible and disturbing report to Herod.

• he was troubled (ἐταράχθη, etarachthē): From the Greek tarassō (ταράσσω), meaning "to be agitated, disturbed, thrown into confusion, deeply stirred." It denotes profound inner disquiet and alarm, more than simple annoyance. This reveals Herod's insecurity, paranoia, and fear concerning the loss of his power, a characteristic trait throughout his reign.

• and all Jerusalem with him (καὶ πᾶσα Ἱεροσόλυμα μετ' αὐτοῦ, kai pasa Hierosolyma met' autou):

  • all Jerusalem: Refers to the collective populace, including the city's influential leaders and residents. This indicates the widespread nature of the apprehension.
  • with him: Suggests a shared state of being troubled. However, the reason for Jerusalem's trouble likely differed from Herod's. While Herod feared a rival to his throne, Jerusalem feared Herod's notorious cruelty and violent reaction, the potential for political instability, Roman intervention, or an unwelcome change to their delicate peace under Roman rule. It might also reflect their spiritual apathy or lack of expectation for the true King Messiah.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Herod the king heard this, he was troubled": This phrase encapsulates the central conflict: the earthly power structure, personified by Herod, instantly feels threatened by the news of the legitimate, divine King. The initial reaction to the light of Christ is not welcome but alarm.
  • "he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him": This phrase paints a picture of pervasive fear. Herod's personal turmoil infects the entire city, revealing the oppressive nature of his rule and the atmosphere of apprehension that pervaded the capital. It signifies the collective human (and often ungodly) response to the advent of divine truth and authority.

Matthew 2 3 Bonus section

• The striking paradox in this verse is that a powerful earthly monarch and the heart of Israel are utterly shaken by the arrival of a seemingly defenseless baby. This reveals the spiritual weakness inherent in worldly power structures when confronted by true divine authority.
• The immediate fear in Herod and Jerusalem stands in stark contrast to the great joy the wise men experienced (Matt 2:10), highlighting different spiritual dispositions towards Christ. One responds with worship, the other with plotting.
• Herod's immediate next step, summoning the chief priests and scribes (Matt 2:4), demonstrates his cunning in exploiting religious knowledge for his sinister political ends. He recognized the biblical significance of the "King of the Jews" and sought to pervert prophetic truth for murderous intent, indicating profound spiritual blindness despite intellectual awareness.

Matthew 2 3 Commentary

Matthew 2:3 introduces the first formal human opposition to Christ in the Gospel. Herod's "trouble" reveals a worldly mind fixated on power, instantly perceiving God's anointing as a direct threat. This disturbance is not sorrow for sin or spiritual longing but raw fear of losing control. "All Jerusalem" sharing this trouble paints a grim picture of the nation's capital, caught between the ruthlessness of their earthly king and a surprising indifference or even dread towards the advent of their long-awaited Messiah. They feared the disruption, anticipating instability more than spiritual salvation. This initial hostile reaction from the seat of power sets the stage for the recurring theme throughout the Gospels: the clash between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world.