Matthew 2:17

KJV

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} was fulfilled {G4137} that which {G3588} was spoken {G4483} by {G5259} Jeremy {G2408} the prophet {G4396}, saying {G3004},

Complete Jewish Bible

In this way were fulfilled the words spoken through the prophet Yirmeyahu,

Berean Standard Bible

Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

American Standard Version

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 2:17 serves as a pivotal interpretive declaration by the evangelist, signaling that the horrific massacre of Bethlehem's male children by King Herod was not a random tragedy but a direct fulfillment of ancient prophecy. This verse acts as a theological bridge, connecting the unfolding events of Jesus's early life to God's sovereign plan, foretold centuries earlier through His prophets, thereby underscoring the divine purpose even amidst profound human suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the chilling account of King Herod's brutal decree to slaughter all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and its vicinity, as recorded in [Matthew 2:16](/matthew/2-16 "Matthew 2:16 - Herod's Massacre of the Innocents"). This act of unspeakable cruelty was Herod's desperate attempt to eliminate the newborn "King of the Jews," whose birth had been announced by the [Wise Men](/matthew/2-7 "Matthew 2:7 - The Wise Men's Visit"). Providentially, Joseph, having been warned by an angel, had already taken Mary and the infant Jesus to [flee to Egypt](/matthew/2-13 "Matthew 2:13 - The Flight to Egypt"), thus preserving the Messiah. Matthew frequently employs "fulfillment formulas" throughout his Gospel, such as in [Matthew 1:22](/matthew/1-22 "Matthew 1:22 - Prophecy of the Virgin Birth") concerning Jesus's birth and [Matthew 2:15](/matthew/2-15 "Matthew 2:15 - Prophecy of Calling from Egypt") regarding the return from Egypt, to demonstrate that Jesus's life meticulously aligns with Old Testament predictions, a crucial argument for his Jewish audience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the reign of Herod the Great, a paranoid and ruthless king appointed by Rome, known for his extreme cruelty, even executing members of his own family whom he perceived as threats to his throne. His fear of a rival king, especially one prophesied by Jewish scriptures, was entirely consistent with his character. Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, held immense significance as the city of David and the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah. The cultural expectation among Jews for a Messiah was high, and Matthew's Gospel, written primarily for a Jewish audience, consistently seeks to demonstrate Jesus's messianic credentials by linking His life events to their sacred texts. The lamentation described in Jeremiah 31:15, which Matthew quotes, originally referred to the sorrow of the Israelite exiles being led away from Ramah (near Bethlehem) into Babylonian captivity, a profound historical trauma for the Jewish people.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 2:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, the **Fulfillment of Prophecy** is paramount; Matthew consistently highlights how events in Jesus's life, even tragic ones, are part of God's pre-ordained plan revealed in the Old Testament. This emphasis reinforces Jesus's identity as the long-awaited Messiah, whose life is the culmination of divine promises. Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Sovereignty Amidst Suffering**; even in the face of immense human cruelty and the innocent suffering of the children of Bethlehem, Matthew asserts that God's plan is unfolding according to His divine foreknowledge and purpose. This provides a theological framework for understanding suffering within God's redemptive narrative. Lastly, it powerfully affirms **Messianic Identity** by linking Jesus's early life experiences, including the painful and traumatic, to ancient prophecies, building a compelling and undeniable case for Jesus's unique role as the Christ, the anointed one of God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** This word (G4137) means "to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc." In this context, it specifically denotes the verification or coincidence of an event with a prior prediction, indicating that the tragic events in Bethlehem brought to completion or brought into reality what had been foretold. It implies divine intentionality and precision.
* **spoken (Greek, _rhéō'_):** This verb (G4483) means "to utter, i.e. speak or say." It refers to the act of articulating words, emphasizing that the prophecy from Jeremiah was a direct verbal utterance, a divine declaration conveyed through a human agent. It highlights the authoritative and deliberate nature of the prophetic word.
* **prophet (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** This noun (G4396) refers to "a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker." Jeremiah is identified here not merely as a historical figure, but as one who spoke under divine inspiration, conveying God's message, which included foretelling future events and interpreting God's will for His people. This term lends authority and divine origin to the words about to be quoted.
#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then was fulfilled":** This phrase, a characteristic "fulfillment formula" in Matthew's Gospel, acts as a theological commentary. "Then" (G5119, _tóte'_) points to the specific time of the massacre, indicating that this event, though tragic, was the precise moment for the prophecy's realization. "Was fulfilled" (G4137, _plēróō'_) signifies that the prophecy reached its completion or came to pass, not by chance, but by divine design.
* **"that which was spoken":** This refers to the content of the prophecy itself, emphasizing its verbal and authoritative nature. It highlights that the events were not random but were in direct alignment with words previously uttered by God's messenger.
* **"by Jeremy the prophet, saying,":** This clearly identifies the source of the prophecy as Jeremiah (G2408, _Hieremías'_), an authoritative figure in the Old Testament prophetic tradition. By naming him, Matthew grounds the current events in the continuous narrative of God's interaction with His people, affirming the enduring relevance and truthfulness of the Old Testament Scriptures. The word "saying" (G3004, _légō'_) introduces the direct quotation that follows in the next verse.
#### Literary Devices
Matthew 2:17 primarily employs the **Fulfillment Formula**, a recurring literary device throughout his Gospel (e.g., [Matthew 1:22](/matthew/1-22 "Matthew 1:22 - Prophecy of the Virgin Birth"), [Matthew 2:15](/matthew/2-15 "Matthew 2:15 - Prophecy of Calling from Egypt")). This formula, "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by..." serves as a theological commentary, explicitly linking the events of Jesus's life to Old Testament prophecies and demonstrating their divine necessity. It functions as an **Allusion** to the Old Testament, specifically to Jeremiah, inviting the reader to recall the original context of the prophecy and understand its reapplication. Furthermore, the verse acts as a form of **Theological Commentary** by the evangelist himself, providing an interpretive lens through which the reader is to understand the preceding tragic events, transforming them from random acts of violence into purposeful elements within God's unfolding redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 2:17 profoundly asserts God's unwavering sovereignty, even in the face of profound human evil and innocent suffering. It posits that the horrific massacre of the Bethlehem children, while a testament to human depravity, was not outside the scope of God's foreknowledge or His ultimate redemptive plan. This verse demonstrates the intricate connection between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament events, revealing a divine blueprint for history that culminates in Christ. It reassures believers that even when circumstances appear chaotic and senseless, God's purposes are being meticulously accomplished, offering a framework for faith amidst tragedy. The lament of Rachel, originally for the exiles, is re-echoed in Bethlehem, showing that the suffering of God's people, though grievous, is never without divine attention or ultimate meaning within His larger narrative of salvation.

* [Jeremiah 31:15](/jeremiah/31-15 "Jeremiah 31:15 - Rachel Weeping for Her Children")
* [Isaiah 53:3-4](/isaiah/53-3-4 "Isaiah 53:3-4 - The Suffering Servant")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 2:17, though describing a deeply sorrowful event, offers a profound theological comfort: God is sovereign, and His purposes are fulfilled even amidst the most painful human experiences. In a world often marked by suffering, injustice, and seemingly senseless tragedies, this verse calls us to look beyond immediate circumstances and recognize the overarching hand of God. It encourages us to trust that even when we cannot comprehend the "why" of suffering, God's plan is unfolding, and His ultimate redemptive purposes will prevail. For believers, this means finding hope not in the absence of pain, but in the presence of a God who works all things for good for those who love Him. It challenges us to cultivate a faith that sees God's hand not only in blessings but also in the midst of trials, knowing that His word is true and His promises are sure.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "fulfilled prophecy" in Matthew 2:17 shape your understanding of God's sovereignty in a world full of suffering?**
* **In what ways can recognizing God's overarching plan bring comfort or perspective when facing personal or collective tragedies?**
* **How does the reapplication of an Old Testament prophecy to a New Testament event deepen your appreciation for the unity and continuity of Scripture?**

### FAQ
**Why does Matthew emphasize "fulfillment" so frequently in his Gospel?**

Answer: Matthew's Gospel, written primarily for a Jewish audience, frequently emphasizes "fulfillment" (using phrases like "then was fulfilled") to demonstrate that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection perfectly align with the prophecies of the Old Testament. This was crucial for convincing Jewish readers that Jesus was indeed the one foretold by their sacred scriptures. By showing that events in Jesus's life, from His birth to His flight to Egypt and even the tragic massacre of the innocents, were all part of God's pre-ordained plan, Matthew strengthens his argument for Jesus's messianic identity and divine authority. He wants his readers to see Jesus not as a random historical figure, but as the culmination of God's redemptive history, the one for whom all of Israel's story had been preparing.

**Was Jeremiah 31:15 *really* about Herod's massacre of the innocents, or was Matthew reinterpreting it?**

Answer: The original context of [Jeremiah 31:15](/jeremiah/31-15 "Jeremiah 31:15 - Rachel Weeping for Her Children") describes Rachel weeping for her children (the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, her descendants) as they were led into Babylonian exile from Ramah, a place near Bethlehem. Matthew's use of this prophecy for Herod's massacre is an example of what scholars call "typological fulfillment" or "prophetic reapplication." Matthew is not suggesting that Jeremiah's original prophecy *only* referred to Herod's time, but rather that the sorrow and lamentation of Rachel, a mother figure for Israel, found a profound and tragic echo in the new suffering inflicted upon the children of Bethlehem. The earlier event (exile) serves as a type or foreshadowing of the later event (Herod's massacre), both being instances of profound national sorrow and the loss of Israel's children. Matthew sees a deeper, spiritual continuity in these events, where the suffering of Israel's past is recapitulated in the context of the Messiah's arrival, underscoring the depth of the redemptive drama. This method of interpreting Old Testament texts was common in Jewish thought and early Christian writings.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 2:17, while highlighting the tragic suffering of the innocent children, ultimately points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The lamentation of Rachel, re-echoed in Bethlehem, foreshadows the deeper, ultimate suffering that the Messiah Himself would endure. Jesus, the true Israel, uniquely experienced exile, rejection, and profound sorrow, culminating in His sacrificial death. His journey from Bethlehem, through the flight to Egypt, and ultimately to the cross, is a narrative of suffering that ultimately brings comfort and salvation. The tears shed in Bethlehem anticipate the tears that Jesus would shed over Jerusalem ([Luke 19:41](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")) and the ultimate sorrow He would bear for the sins of the world ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant")). Through His suffering, Jesus fully identifies with humanity's pain, becoming our sympathetic High Priest ([Hebrews 2:17-18](/hebrews/2-17-18 "Hebrews 2:17-18 - Jesus's Empathy as High Priest")). Thus, the fulfillment in Matthew 2:17, while initially somber, ultimately points to the one who would conquer suffering and death, promising a future where God Himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Wipes Away Every Tear")). The prophetic word, fulfilled in Christ, assures us that even the darkest moments are woven into God's glorious tapestry of salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.