Matthew 2 5

Matthew 2:5 kjv

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Matthew 2:5 nkjv

So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

Matthew 2:5 niv

"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:

Matthew 2:5 esv

They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

Matthew 2:5 nlt

"In Bethlehem in Judea," they said, "for this is what the prophet wrote:

Matthew 2 verses

Matthew 2 5 Meaning

Matthew 2:5 records the chief priests and scribes responding to King Herod's inquiry about the birthplace of the Christ. They unanimously declare that the Messiah is to be born "in Bethlehem of Judea," citing a prophecy from an unnamed prophet as their definitive authority. This verse highlights the religious leaders' accurate knowledge of Messianic prophecy regarding the Messiah's birthplace, indicating that this prophecy was well-known and understood among them.

Matthew 2 5 Context

Matthew 2:5 is part of the narrative surrounding the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi. In the preceding verses (2:1-4), "wise men from the east" arrive in Jerusalem, seeking the newborn "King of the Jews," causing significant consternation to King Herod and "all Jerusalem with him." Herod, disturbed by the prospect of a rival king, convenes the highest religious authorities of the Jewish people: the chief priests and scribes. He asks them the precise location where the "Christ" (Messiah) was prophesied to be born. Verse 5 is their direct and immediate answer, drawing upon their extensive knowledge of Old Testament prophecies. This interaction highlights the tension between those who genuinely seek the Messiah (Magi) and those who possess the knowledge but react with suspicion, fear, or indifference (Herod, some religious leaders). The setting is Herod's palace in Jerusalem, a center of political power contrasted with Bethlehem, the humble, prophetic birthplace.

Matthew 2 5 Word analysis

• They told him (οἱ δὲ εἶπαν αὐτῷ): Refers to "all the chief priests and scribes of the people" (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ) from verse 4. This signifies the unified response of the highest Jewish religious authorities, the experts in the Law and Prophets. Their knowledge is extensive.

• In Bethlehem (ἐν Βηθλεὲμ): Greek transliteration of the Hebrew "Beth Lehem" (בֵּית לֶחֶם), meaning "House of Bread." A small town in Judea, highly significant as the birthplace of King David (1 Sam 17:12). This connection highlights Jesus's legitimate Davidic lineage and royal claim. Its historical humbleness contrasts with the magnificent claims made for it by prophecy.

• of Judea (τῆς Ἰουδαίας): Specifies "Bethlehem in the land of Judah" to distinguish it from another Bethlehem located in Zebulun (Josh 19:15) or potentially a spiritual interpretation. It confirms the geographic accuracy of the prophecy and solidifies the identification of the location.

• for so it has been written (οὕτως γὰρ γέγραπται): Gegraptai is a perfect passive indicative of graphō (γράφω, to write). The perfect tense indicates a completed action with continuing results, emphasizing the enduring, divine authority and permanence of the prophecy. It's not just "it was written" but "it stands written." This phrase signifies that the prophecy is established truth from God, eternally valid. "For so" (οὕτως γὰρ) provides the reason and authoritative source for their answer.

• by the prophet (διὰ τοῦ προφήτου): "Through the prophet." The definite article "the" indicates that the prophet referred to is well-known in this context (Micah 5:2). The preposition dia ("through") indicates divine agency – God is the ultimate author, speaking through human instruments, the prophets. This reinforces the divine origin and reliability of the prophetic word. The fact that Micah is not named suggests that the reference was so common knowledge that it needed no further specification among this learned audience.

• Words-group Analysis

  • They told him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea,': This concise answer from the religious experts demonstrates their immediate and confident recall of the prophecy. It underscores that the Messianic hope, including its geographical details, was deeply embedded in their understanding of Scripture. This contrasts sharply with Herod's ignorance, yet paradoxically, these knowledgable religious leaders do not seek out the Messiah themselves, highlighting a disparity between intellectual assent to prophecy and genuine faith or action.
  • for so it has been written by the prophet. This phrase functions as the undeniable, divine justification for their answer. It's a statement of ultimate authority – the prophecy is not a mere human speculation but a divinely revealed truth. It sets the stage for Matthew's consistent theme of prophecy fulfillment, indicating that Jesus' life events are not random but part of God's sovereign plan foretold ages ago.

Matthew 2 5 Bonus section

• The term "Christ" (Christos) used by Herod in Matthew 2:4 and responded to by the priests and scribes, is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah" (Mashiach), meaning "Anointed One." This indicates a shared understanding, even between Jews and Romans, that a significant deliverer was anticipated.
• The accurate prophecy about Bethlehem reinforces the concept of divine omniscience and meticulous planning. Long before Jesus' birth, God had designated the specific village.
• This verse indirectly sets up a future polemic against the Jewish leadership in Matthew's Gospel. Their accurate interpretation of scripture here contrasts sharply with their blindness or rejection of Jesus' identity and claims later on. They are capable of reading and interpreting but are unwilling to believe.
• Bethlehem, the "House of Bread," is symbolically fitting for the birthplace of Jesus, who would later declare Himself the "Bread of Life" (John 6:35).

Matthew 2 5 Commentary

Matthew 2:5 provides a pivotal moment in the infancy narrative. The religious authorities of the Jewish people, the chief priests and scribes, demonstrate precise knowledge of where the Messiah was foretold to be born, citing Micah 5:2. Their immediate and definitive answer "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet," underscores several profound truths. First, it highlights the remarkable accuracy and public availability of Messianic prophecies. God's plan was not hidden but clearly laid out in His written Word, readily accessible to those who diligently studied it. Second, it exemplifies Matthew's recurrent theme: Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of Israel, and His life perfectly fulfills Old Testament prophecies. Every event in His life, from birth to resurrection, aligns with divine foretelling. The phrasing "it has been written" (a perfect passive) signifies the settled, immutable nature of divine prophecy—what God declared would happen, had happened or was happening.

However, this verse also carries a profound irony and a poignant warning. While these religious leaders possessed impeccable scriptural knowledge concerning the Messiah's birthplace, they evidently lacked the spiritual insight or the sincere heart to act upon that knowledge. They correctly direct Herod, a Gentile ruler concerned about his own throne, yet there is no indication that they themselves went to Bethlehem to worship or investigate. Their expertise becomes a means to inform a tyrant, rather than a catalyst for their own devotion. This sets a tone for much of Matthew's Gospel, where religious elites understand the Law and Prophets intellectually but fail to recognize or submit to Jesus, the very fulfillment of what they claimed to uphold. It reminds us that head knowledge of scripture, while valuable, must be accompanied by a living faith that seeks, recognizes, and bows before the Lord.