Matthew 2:1

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Now Jesus was born in Bethlehem [a small town] in Judea during the time when Herod [the Great] was king [of Judea]. About that time some astrologer/sages from the east [i.e., Persia] came to Jerusalem, saying,

Cross References

Matthew 1:25

[But] he did not have sexual relations with her until [after] she had a son, whom he named Jesus.

Matthew 2:16

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the astrologer/sages, he was furious and sent out [his soldiers] to kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity. This was done to those from two years old and under, basing [their decision] on the exact time determined from the astrologer/sages.

Matthew 2:19

Then when Herod was dead, an angel from the Lord appeared in a [supernatural] dream to Joseph [while he was still] in Egypt, saying,

Matthew 2:3

And when King Herod heard this, he and the entire city of Jerusalem were [very] upset.

Matthew 2:5

They replied to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what was written by the prophet [Micah 5:2],

Matthew 2:7

Then Herod summoned the astrologer/sages and learned from them exactly when the star had appeared.

Luke 1:5

In the days of King Herod, of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias of the “Abijah” division. He had a wife named Elizabeth who was a descendant of Aaron.

Luke 2:11

For a Savior has been born today in David’s city [i.e., Bethlehem], who is Christ the Lord [i.e., God’s specially chosen one].

Luke 2:15

And it happened when the angels left them and returned to heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem now and see what all happened that the Lord told us about.”

John 7:42

Does not Scripture say [Micah 5:2] that the Christ will come as the descendant of King David, and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”