Matthew 2 4

Matthew 2:4 kjv

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Matthew 2:4 nkjv

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

Matthew 2:4 niv

When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.

Matthew 2:4 esv

and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

Matthew 2:4 nlt

He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?"

Matthew 2 verses

Matthew 2 4 Meaning

Matthew 2:4 describes King Herod's immediate response upon hearing from the Magi about the birth of the "king of the Jews." He gathers the highest religious and scholarly authorities in Israel—the chief priests and scribes—to demand from them the prophetic location where the Christ was to be born. This act underscores Herod's paranoia and ruthless intent to eliminate a perceived rival, while simultaneously revealing that the very religious leaders who possessed intimate knowledge of God's prophetic word about the Messiah were tragically complicit or apathetic in the face of His arrival.

Matthew 2 4 Context

Matthew 2:4 is pivotal in the early narrative of Jesus's life, directly following the Magi's announcement of the "King of the Jews" arriving in Jerusalem (Matt 2:2-3) and preceding the specific identification of Bethlehem as the Messiah's birthplace (Matt 2:5-6). King Herod, renowned for his ruthless grip on power and extreme paranoia—evidenced by his history of executing rivals, including members of his own family—sees any claim to a throne in Judea as a direct threat. Confronted by the Magi's news, his immediate, shrewd reaction is not to seek the Christ for worship, but to identify Him for elimination. This verse demonstrates his cunning and establishes his manipulative authority over the Jewish religious elite. The chief priests and scribes, the most learned individuals in Jewish law and prophecy, were readily available to him, underscoring their integral role in the Sanhedrin and religious life of the people, making their knowledge a key resource in Herod's wicked plan. Their ability to immediately provide the precise prophecy of Bethlehem contrasts sharply with their evident spiritual indifference or even complicity concerning the long-awaited Messiah's advent.

Matthew 2 4 Word analysis

• And when he had gathered (καὶ συναγαγών - kai synagagōn): The use of the aorist participle indicates a swift and decisive action on Herod's part. This gathering was immediate and purposeful, highlighting his urgency and calculating nature upon hearing the news. It reveals his method of gaining information from relevant experts.
• all (πάντας - pantas): This signifies a comprehensive consultation, not a casual inquiry. Herod wanted a definitive answer from the collective wisdom of the religious leadership, leaving no room for doubt or omission.
• the chief priests (τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς - tous archiereis): These were the highest-ranking priestly families, including the high priest, ex-high priests, and heads of the priestly courses. They held immense religious, social, and political influence, deeply embedded within the Temple administration and generally aligning with the Sadducean party. They were essential custodians of Mosaic Law.
• and scribes (καὶ γραμματεῖς - kai grammateis): These were legal scholars and teachers of the Jewish law (Torah). Often associated with the Pharisees, they meticulously studied, interpreted, and taught Scripture. Their expertise was crucial for understanding biblical prophecy and Jewish tradition. Their inclusion meant both the priestly and legal/scholarly authorities were consulted.
• of the people (τοῦ λαοῦ - tou laou): This phrase emphasizes that these leaders represented the accepted religious authority and knowledge base for the entire Jewish nation. The populace looked to them for scriptural interpretation and guidance.
• he demanded of them (ἐπυνθάνετο παρ᾽ αὐτῶν - epunthaneto par' autōn): The imperfect tense of epunthaneto (from punthanomai) implies an insistent or repeated inquiry, not just a single question. Herod pressed them, underscoring his authoritative position and his desire for a definitive answer, indicative of his serious and ominous intent.
• where (ποῦ - pou): This is a precise question about geographical location. Herod was not seeking abstract theological knowledge but specific, actionable intelligence.
• Christ (ὁ Χριστός - ho Christos): This is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah (המשיח), meaning "the Anointed One." By using the definite article "the Christ," Herod refers to the specific, prophesied Deliverer and King of Israel, recognized by the Jewish people. Herod's use of this term signifies his acknowledgment of the widespread expectation of such a figure, even if his motive was purely political.
• should be born (γεννᾶται - gennātai): This passive, present indicative verb indicates the expected manner of the Messiah's appearance according to prophecy. The question is not "will He be born?" but "where is He destined to be born?" The religious leaders understand this implies a divine foretelling.

Matthew 2 4 Bonus section

• The meticulous act of Herod gathering "all" the chief priests and scribes underscores his resolve and the comprehensive nature of his inquiry, contrasting with the often more casual consultation common in Jewish tradition.
• The scene foreshadows the conflict between Christ and the Jewish religious establishment, whose members will consistently know the Scriptures that testify about Jesus yet reject Him.
• The fact that Gentile Magi are seeking the Christ, while the Jewish religious leaders are providing information for Herod to destroy Him, highlights a poignant reversal of expectations that frequently appears in Matthew's Gospel, emphasizing God's broader plan of salvation beyond Israel alone.

Matthew 2 4 Commentary

Matthew 2:4 captures a dramatic crossroads. Herod, representing fearful earthly power, is presented with a truth from divine providence, albeit via the Gentile Magi. Instead of seeking worship or understanding, his heart is driven by paranoia and a desire for control. His immediate, strategic move is to leverage the spiritual and intellectual capital of his nation's religious leaders—the chief priests and scribes—for his wicked purposes. Their quick and accurate citation of the prophecy (Micah 5:2 in the subsequent verses) highlights their comprehensive intellectual knowledge of God's Word.

However, the deeper tragedy within this verse is not Herod's malevolence, which is consistent with his character, but the striking spiritual inertia and moral apathy of the religious elite. They possess the prophetic light of Scripture, capable of accurately pinpointing the Messiah's birthplace, yet they show no evidence of alarm, spiritual awakening, or personal engagement with the momentous truth of the long-awaited Anointed One's arrival. They respond mechanically to Herod's demand, serving as purveyors of divine information for a tyrannical regime without any apparent call to faith, worship, or warning to the people. This sets a poignant precedent for their eventual rejection of Jesus throughout His ministry, demonstrating a knowing of Scripture without a true living relationship with the One of whom the Scriptures speak. This verse stands as a stark reminder that intellectual mastery of sacred texts without a responding heart of faith can render even profound truth impotent in a soul's transformation.