Matthew 2 – Angel of the Lord – The Gospels

Gospel of Matthew TextAfter the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem in Judea, in the reign of King Herod, some wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking: 2 “Where is the new—born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to pay homage to him.”

3 When King Herod heard of this, he was much troubled, and so too was all Jerusalem. 4 He called together all the chief priests and teachers of the law in the nation, and questioned them as to where the Christ was to be born. 5 “At Bethlehem in Judea,” was their answer; “for it is said by the prophet: 6 ‘And Bethlehem in Judah’s land is in no way least among the chief cities of Judah; for out of it will come a chieftain—one who will shepherd my people Israel.'”

7 Then Herod secretly sent for the wise men and ascertained from them the date of the appearance of the star; 8 And, sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and make careful inquiries about the child, and as soon as you have found him, bring me word that I too may go and pay homage to him.”

9 The wise men heard what the king had to say, and then continued their journey. And the star which they had seen in the east led them on, until it reached and stood over the place where the child was. 10 At the sight of the star they were filled with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and fell at his feet and paid homage to him. Then they unpacked their treasures, and offered to the child presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 But afterwards, having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another road.

13 After they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and said: “Awake, take the child and his mother, and seek refuge in Egypt; and stay there until I bid you return, for Herod is about to search for the child, to put him to death.” 14 Joseph awoke and took the child and his mother by night into Egypt, 15 And there he stayed until Herod’s death; in fulfillment of these words of the Lord by the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my Son.’

16 When Herod found that he had been trifled with by the wise men, he was very angry. He sent and put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and the neighboring coasts who were two years old or under, guided by the date which he had ascertained from the wise men.

17 Then were fulfilled these words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and much lamentation; Rachel, weeping for her children, refused to be comforted because they were not.’ 19 But, on the death of Herod, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said: 20 “Awake, take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought to take the child’s life are dead.”

21 And he awoke, and took the child and his mother into the land of Israel. 22 But, hearing that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as King of Judea, he was afraid to go back there (having been warned of it in a dream); nevertheless, he went into the part of the country called Galilee. 23 And there he settled in the town of Nazareth, in fulfillment of these words by the prophets: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’

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To read Chapter 3 of the Gospel of Matthew, please go to: Brood of Vipers. Browse the entire Gospel of Matthew here: Gospel of Matthew.



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