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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 2:4 And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/2-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/40_Mat_02_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 2:4 - The Pilgrimage of the Magi" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born." /><script 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class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/2.htm">New International Version</a> When he had called together all the people&#8217s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. <a href="/nlt/matthew/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” <a href="/esv/matthew/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. <a href="/bsb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. <a href="/blb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he was inquiring of them where the Christ was to be born. <a href="/kjv/matthew/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/2.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. <a href="/nasb/matthew/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born. <a href="/lsb/matthew/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he was inquiring of them where the Christ was to be born. <a href="/amp/matthew/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So he called together all the chief priests and scribes of the people and [anxiously] asked them where the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) was to be born. <a href="/csb/matthew/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. <a href="/cev/matthew/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, "Where will the Messiah be born?" <a href="/erv/matthew/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. <a href="/gwt/matthew/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He called together all the chief priests and scribes and tried to find out from them where the Messiah was supposed to be born. <a href="/gnt/matthew/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> He called together all the chief priests and the teachers of the Law and asked them, "Where will the Messiah be born?" <a href="/isv/matthew/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> He called together all the high priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah was to be born. <a href="/msb/matthew/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. <a href="/net/matthew/2.htm">NET Bible</a> After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. <a href="/nheb/matthew/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. <a href="/wbt/matthew/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. <a href="/wey/matthew/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So he assembled all the High Priests and Scribes of the people, and anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born. <a href="/web/matthew/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and having gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he was inquiring from them where the Christ is born. <a href="/blb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he was inquiring of them where the Christ was to be born. <a href="/ylt/matthew/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and having gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he was inquiring from them where the Christ is born. <a href="/slt/matthew/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And gathering together all the leaders of the priests, and the scribes of the people, he consulted with them as to where the Christ would be born. <a href="/nabre/matthew/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So he gathered together all the high priests and the scribes of the people, and he kept asking them, where the Christ would be born? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he gathered the Chief Priests and the Scribes of the people together and was asking them, “Where would The Messiah be born?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. <a href="/godbey/matthew/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and gathering together all the chief priests and scribes, inquired with them where Christ should be born. <a href="/haweis/matthew/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them, where the Messiah should be born.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and having assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them where Christ was to be born. <a href="/wey/matthew/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So he assembled all the High Priests and Scribes of the people, and anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born. <a href="/worrell/matthew/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and having assembled all the high-priests and scribes of the people, he was inquiring of them, "Where the Christ should be born," <a href="/worsley/matthew/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and having summoned together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them where the Messiah was to be born: and they told him, at Bethlehem in Judea; <a href="/parallel/matthew/2-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=254" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/2.htm">The Pilgrimage of the Magi</a> …3When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/4863.htm" title="4863: synagagōn (V-APA-NMS) -- From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.">when he had assembled</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantas (Adj-AMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/749.htm" title="749: archiereis (N-AMP) -- High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.">chief priests</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1122.htm" title="1122: grammateis (N-AMP) -- From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.">scribes</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/2992.htm" title="2992: laou (N-GMS) -- Apparently a primary word; a people.">people,</a> <a href="/greek/4441.htm" title="4441: epynthaneto (V-IIM/P-3S) -- To ask, inquire, ascertain by inquiry, understand. ">he asked</a> <a href="/greek/3844.htm" title="3844: par’ (Prep) -- Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of. "></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/4226.htm" title="4226: pou (Adv) -- Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality.">where</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christos (N-NMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ</a> <a href="/greek/1080.htm" title="1080: gennatai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.">was to be born.</a> 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a> But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. <a href="/john/7-42.htm">John 7:42</a> Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ will come from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” <a href="/2_samuel/5-2.htm">2 Samuel 5:2</a> Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” <a href="/1_chronicles/11-2.htm">1 Chronicles 11:2</a> Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” <a href="/matthew/27-11.htm">Matthew 27:11</a> Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. <a href="/luke/2-4.htm">Luke 2:4-6</a> So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. / He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. / While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. <a href="/john/18-33.htm">John 18:33-37</a> Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” / “Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?” / “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?” ... <a href="/acts/2-30.htm">Acts 2:30</a> But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne. <a href="/acts/13-23.htm">Acts 13:23</a> From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised. <a href="/romans/1-3.htm">Romans 1:3</a> regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh, <a href="/hebrews/7-14.htm">Hebrews 7:14</a> For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests. <a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Revelation 5:5</a> Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.” <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Genesis 49:10</a> The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his. <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6-7</a> For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. <a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Jeremiah 23:5-6</a> Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.the chief.<a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Matthew 21:15,23</a> And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, … <a href="/matthew/26-3.htm">Matthew 26:3,47</a> Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, … <a href="/matthew/27-1.htm">Matthew 27:1</a> When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:scribes.<a href="/matthew/7-29.htm">Matthew 7:29</a> For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.<a href="/matthew/13-52.htm">Matthew 13:52</a> Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.<a href="/2_chronicles/34-13.htm">2 Chronicles 34:13,15</a> Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters… he demanded.<a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Malachi 2:7</a> For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.<a href="/john/3-10.htm">John 3:10</a> Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/micah/1-12.htm">Anxiously</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-3.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-11.htm">Assembling</a> <a href="/matthew/2-2.htm">Born</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-7.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/matthew/1-18.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/daniel/2-27.htm">Demanded</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-14.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/nahum/3-18.htm">Gathering</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-16.htm">High</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-6.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/matthew/2-2.htm">Inquiring</a> <a href="/malachi/4-4.htm">Law</a> <a href="/matthew/1-17.htm">Messiah</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-13.htm">People's</a> <a href="/malachi/2-1.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/daniel/7-16.htm">Questioning</a> <a href="/daniel/4-9.htm">Scribes</a> <a href="/daniel/11-33.htm">Teachers</a> <a href="/matthew/1-18.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/2-48.htm">Anxiously</a> <a href="/matthew/18-20.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/luke/8-5.htm">Assembling</a> <a href="/matthew/11-11.htm">Born</a> <a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/matthew/11-2.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/matthew/16-13.htm">Demanded</a> <a href="/matthew/7-16.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/matthew/3-12.htm">Gathering</a> <a href="/matthew/4-8.htm">High</a> <a href="/matthew/2-7.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Inquiring</a> <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Law</a> <a href="/john/1-41.htm">Messiah</a> <a href="/matthew/13-15.htm">People's</a> <a href="/matthew/12-4.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/matthew/16-13.htm">Questioning</a> <a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Scribes</a> <a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Teachers</a> <a href="/matthew/10-1.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 2</div>1. <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">The wise men from the east enquire after Jesus;</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/2-3.htm">at which Herod is alarmed.</a> 9. <a href="/matthew/2-9.htm">They are directed by a star to Bethlehem, worship him, and offer their presents.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Joseph flees into Egypt with Jesus and his mother.</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Herod slays the children;</a> 20. <a href="/matthew/2-20.htm">himself dies.</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/2-23.htm">Jesus is brought back again into Galilee to Nazareth.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people This phrase indicates King Herod's action of gathering the religious leaders of the Jewish people. The chief priests included the high priest and other temple officials, who were primarily Sadducees, a sect known for their aristocratic status and collaboration with Roman authorities. The scribes, often associated with the Pharisees, were experts in the Jewish Law and held significant influence over religious and legal matters. This assembly reflects Herod's concern over the Magi's inquiry about the "king of the Jews" and his desire to understand the prophecies concerning the Messiah. The gathering of these leaders underscores the importance of the event and the threat Herod perceived to his rule.he asked them where the Christ was to be born Herod's question reveals his awareness of Jewish Messianic expectations. "The Christ" refers to the anointed one, the Messiah, whom the Jews anticipated as a deliverer and king. The inquiry about the birthplace of the Messiah points to the prophecy in <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>, which specifies Bethlehem as the location. This prophecy is significant as it connects Jesus' birth to the lineage of David, fulfilling the expectation that the Messiah would come from David's line. Herod's question also highlights the tension between political power and divine prophecy, as he seeks to use this information for his own ends, contrasting with the Magi's genuine search for worship.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/h/herod_the_great.htm">Herod the Great</a> The ruling king of Judea at the time of Jesus' birth, known for his paranoia and tyrannical rule. He sought to maintain his power by any means necessary, including the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. 2. <a href="/topical/c/chief_priests.htm">Chief Priests</a> Religious leaders in Jerusalem, primarily from the Sadducees, who were responsible for temple rituals and maintaining religious order. They held significant influence in Jewish society. 3. <a href="/topical/s/scribes.htm">Scribes</a> Experts in the Jewish Law, often associated with the Pharisees. They were responsible for teaching and interpreting the Scriptures. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_christ.htm">The Christ (Messiah)</a> The anointed one promised in the Hebrew Scriptures, expected to deliver Israel and establish God's kingdom. 5. <a href="/topical/b/bethlehem.htm">Bethlehem</a> The prophesied birthplace of the Messiah, as foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures, specifically in <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_prophecy.htm">The Importance of Prophecy</a> Understanding the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the New Testament strengthens our faith in the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_history.htm">God's Sovereignty in History</a> Despite Herod's attempts to thwart God's plan, the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem demonstrates God's control over historical events to fulfill His purposes. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_religious_leaders.htm">The Role of Religious Leaders</a> The chief priests and scribes had knowledge of the Scriptures but failed to recognize the Messiah. This serves as a warning to ensure our knowledge leads to a relationship with Christ, not just intellectual understanding. <a href="/topical/s/seeking_jesus_with_right_intentions.htm">Seeking Jesus with Right Intentions</a> Herod's inquiry was driven by fear and a desire to eliminate a threat. In contrast, our pursuit of Jesus should be motivated by a genuine desire to know and worship Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 2</a> <a href="/q/why_do_gospels_differ_on_jesus'_arrest.htm">Why do different Gospels have different reasons for why Jesus was arrested?</a> <a href="/q/insights_from_day_36_on_spiritual_growth.htm">What events define the 33 AD journey to the cross?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_prophecy.htm">What does the Bible say about prophecy?</a> <a href="/q/why_question_messiah's_galilee_origin.htm">John 7:41–42 – Why do some question the Messiah’s origin in Galilee if Scripture says the Messiah must come from Bethlehem? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) The chief priests and scribes.--The chief priests were probably the heads of the twenty-four courses into which the sons of Aaron were divided (<a href="/2_chronicles/23-8.htm" title="So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.">2Chronicles 23:8</a>; <a href="/luke/1-5.htm" title="THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.">Luke 1:5</a>), but the term may have included those who had, though only for a time, held the office of high priest. The "scribes" were the interpreters of the Law, casuists and collectors of the traditions of the Elders, for the most part Pharisees. The meeting thus convened was not necessarily a formal meeting of the Sanhedrim or Great Council, and may have been only as a Committee of Notables called together for a special purpose. With a characteristic subtlety, as if trying to gauge the strength of their Messianic hopes, Herod acts as if he himself shared them, and asks where the Christ, the expected Messiah, the "anointed" of the Lord (<a href="/psalms/2-2.htm" title="The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,">Psalm 2:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/45-7.htm" title="You love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.">Psalm 45:7</a>; <a href="/psalms/89-20.htm" title="I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:">Psalm 89:20</a>) was to be born.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - And when he had gathered... together (καὶ συναγαγών). The Revised Version, and gathering together, suggests that there was no delay. All the chief priests and scribes of the people (πάντας τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ). In the absence of the article before γραμματεῖς we must take the words, "of the people," as belonging to both terms. The addition helped to bring out the evangelist's thought that the representatives of the chosen people (<a href="/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10</a>) were fully informed of the coming of Christ. The chief priests (cf. also <a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Matthew 16:21</a>, note) represented the ecclesiastical and Sadducean part, the scribes the more literary and probably the Pharisaic part, of the nation. The width of the term "all," and the double classification, seem to point to this not being a meeting of the Sanhedrin as such. Herod called an informal and perhaps the more comprehensive meeting of those who could assist him. He demanded of them; Revised Version, inquired, for "demand" is, in modern English, too strong for ἐπυνθάνετο The tyrant could be courteous when it served his purpose. Does the imperfect mark his putting the question to one after another (cf. Acts 1:6; and contrast <a href="/john/4-52.htm">John 4:52</a>)? Where Christ ( the Christ, Revised Version) should be born (γεννᾶται). In ver. 2 (ὁ τεχθείς) the stress lay on his birth as an accomplished fact. Here on his birth as connected with his origin The present is chosen, not the future, because Herod is stating a theological question without reference to time. Observe, in Herod's inquiry and subsequent action, the combination of superstition and irreligion. He was willing to accept the witness of stars and of prophecies, but not willing to allow himself to be morally influenced by it. His attempt to kill this Child was the expression of a desire to destroy the Jewish nationality so far as this was severed from himself, and perhaps with it to uproot at the same time a fundamental part of the Jewish religion. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/2-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>When καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. he had assembled συναγαγὼν (synagagōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4863.htm">Strong's 4863: </a> From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain. all πάντας (pantas) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. chief priests ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_749.htm">Strong's 749: </a> High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. scribes γραμματεῖς (grammateis) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1122.htm">Strong's 1122: </a> From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. people, λαοῦ (laou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2992.htm">Strong's 2992: </a> Apparently a primary word; a people. he inquired ἐπυνθάνετο (epynthaneto) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4441.htm">Strong's 4441: </a> To ask, inquire, ascertain by inquiry, understand. where ποῦ (pou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_4226.htm">Strong's 4226: </a> Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Christ Χριστὸς (Christos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. was to be born. γεννᾶται (gennatai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1080.htm">Strong's 1080: </a> From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/2-4.htm">Matthew 2:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/2-4.htm">Matthew 2:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/2-4.htm">Matthew 2:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/2-4.htm">Matthew 2:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/2-4.htm">Matthew 2:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/2-4.htm">Matthew 2:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/2-4.htm">Matthew 2:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/2-4.htm">Matthew 2:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/2-4.htm">Matthew 2:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/2-4.htm">Matthew 2:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/2-4.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 2:4 Gathering together all the chief priests (Matt. 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