Matthew 2:3

KJV

When Herod the king had heard [these things], he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G1161} Herod {G2264} the king {G935} had heard {G191} these things, he was troubled {G5015}, and {G2532} all {G3956} Jerusalem {G2414} with {G3326} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When King Herod heard of this he became very agitated, and so did everyone else in Yerushalayim. He called together all the head cohanim and Torah-teachers

Berean Standard Bible

When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

American Standard Version

And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 2:3 vividly portrays the immediate and profound consternation of King Herod and the entire city of Jerusalem upon hearing the news of the Messiah's birth. This verse marks a dramatic shift in the narrative, moving from the celestial signs and the hopeful quest of the Magi to the earthly political turmoil and deep-seated fear that the arrival of God's true King provoked in those who held worldly power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the arrival of the Magi in Jerusalem, who declare their purpose: "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him" [Matthew 2:2](/matthew/2-2 "Matthew 2:2 - The Magi's Inquiry"). Herod's reaction in [Matthew 2:3](/matthew/2-3 "Matthew 2:3 - Herod's Reaction") is a direct response to this earth-shattering inquiry. The subsequent narrative in [Matthew 2:4-8](/matthew/2-4-8 "Matthew 2:4-8 - Herod's Deception") details Herod's consultation with the chief priests and scribes to ascertain the Messiah's birthplace, followed by his deceptive instructions to the Magi. This sets the stage for the dark events of the "slaughter of the innocents" in [Matthew 2:16-18](/matthew/2-16-18 "Matthew 2:16-18 - Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents"), revealing the depth of his malevolent intent.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Herod the Great, ruling Judea as a client king under Roman authority (37-4 BCE), was infamous for his paranoia, ruthlessness, and insecurity regarding his throne. His reign was marked by numerous executions, including those of his own wife, mother-in-law, and several sons, all suspected of plotting against him. The news of a "King of the Jews" born not by his lineage but by divine prophecy would have been perceived as an immediate and existential threat to his illegitimate rule. For the inhabitants of Jerusalem, their "trouble" was likely multifaceted: fear of Herod's predictable and brutal reprisal, anxiety over potential Roman intervention or unrest, and perhaps a general unease about any disruption to the precarious peace and status quo under Roman occupation. They understood that any challenge to Herod's authority could bring severe consequences upon the city.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 2:3 significantly contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. It immediately introduces the theme of **Opposition to Christ**, demonstrating that from His very infancy, the Messiah would encounter resistance and hostility from worldly powers, foreshadowing the ultimate rejection and crucifixion He would face in [Matthew 27](/matthew/27 "Matthew 27 - The Crucifixion"). It also highlights the **Clash of Kingdoms**, contrasting Herod's earthly, tyrannical rule with the divine, humble, yet ultimately sovereign reign of the newborn King. This opposition underscores the **Unsettling Nature of Truth**, as the revelation of Christ's true identity and authority often brings discomfort and division to those who cling to their own power or comfort, as seen in Jesus' later statement in [Matthew 10:34](/matthew/10-34 "Matthew 10:34 - Jesus brings division, not peace").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** From G191, this primary verb means "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience to, come to the ears, or understand. In this context, it signifies that Herod not only physically perceived the Magi's words but also fully comprehended their profound and threatening implications for his reign. His hearing was not passive but active, leading to an immediate internal and external reaction.
* **Troubled (Greek, _tarássō'_):** From G5015, this word means to stir or agitate, to roil water, or to be deeply disturbed. It indicates a profound internal commotion, a disquietude that goes beyond mere concern to a state of agitation and alarm. This emotional upheaval in Herod was so intense that it immediately manifested in a desire to eliminate the perceived threat, leading to his subsequent wicked schemes.
* **Jerusalem (Greek, _Hierosólyma'_):** From G2414, this refers to the capital of Palestine, the city of Jerusalem. The inclusion of "all Jerusalem" alongside Herod signifies a widespread unease. While Herod's trouble stemmed from a threat to his personal power, Jerusalem's trouble likely arose from fear of Herod's tyrannical response and the potential for widespread unrest or Roman reprisal that the news of a new "King" might provoke. It suggests a collective anxiety, not necessarily a shared theological conviction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When Herod the king had heard [these things],"**: This clause establishes the catalyst for the ensuing turmoil. The "these things" refers directly to the Magi's declaration of a newborn "King of the Jews" in [Matthew 2:2](/matthew/2-2 "Matthew 2:2 - The Magi's Inquiry"). Herod, as the reigning monarch, immediately perceives this news as a direct challenge to his authority and legitimacy, setting the stage for his intensely negative reaction.
* **"he was troubled,"**: This phrase describes Herod's immediate and profound emotional state. The Greek word for "troubled" (G5015, _tarássō_) conveys a deep agitation, a stirring up of one's inner being, indicating not just mild concern but a visceral fear and alarm. This trouble is rooted in his insecurity and paranoia, as the birth of a divinely appointed king fundamentally undermines his earthly, self-proclaimed sovereignty.
* **"and all Jerusalem with him."**: This concluding phrase expands the scope of the disturbance beyond Herod himself to the entire populace of the capital city. While Herod's trouble was born of a personal threat, Jerusalem's collective unease likely stemmed from the anticipated consequences of Herod's reaction. The city had experienced Herod's brutality firsthand, and any news that could provoke his wrath or invite Roman military intervention would naturally cause widespread anxiety and fear among its inhabitants.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 2:3 effectively employs several **literary devices**. **Irony** is prominent: the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah, meant to bring peace and salvation, initially brings fear and division to the very people He came to save. This also serves as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the pervasive opposition Jesus would face throughout His ministry, culminating in His rejection and crucifixion by both Jewish and Roman authorities. The phrase "all Jerusalem" can be seen as **hyperbole**, emphasizing the widespread nature of the unease rather than a literal count of every single inhabitant. Finally, the verse presents a stark **contrast** between the Magi's joyful, worshipful search for the King and Herod's fearful, hostile reaction, highlighting the divergent responses to Christ's arrival.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 2:3 serves as a foundational text illustrating the inherent conflict between God's sovereign plan and humanity's resistance, particularly when that plan challenges established earthly powers. Herod's fear and Jerusalem's anxiety underscore the truth that the advent of God's kingdom often disrupts human-centric systems and allegiances. The "trouble" reveals a world unprepared and unwilling to submit to the true King, preferring the illusion of control and the status quo over divine intervention. This early opposition to Christ's kingship foreshadows the ongoing spiritual battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world, a theme pervasive throughout biblical narrative.

* [Psalm 2:1](/psalms/2-1-4 "Psalm 2:1-4 - The Rage of the Nations Against God's Anointed")
* [Luke 12:51](/luke/12-51-53 "Luke 12:51-53 - Jesus brings division")
* [John 15:18](/john/15-18-20 "John 15:18-20 - The World's Hatred of Believers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 2:3 offers a profound opportunity for self-reflection regarding our own responses to the claims of Christ's kingship. Just as Herod and Jerusalem were troubled by the implications of a new King, we too may find ourselves unsettled when Christ's authority challenges our comfort zones, our cherished plans, or our perceived control over our lives. Do we, like Herod, react with fear and a desire to eliminate anything that threatens our personal sovereignty, or do we, like the Magi, respond with worship and submission? The verse invites us to consider whether we are truly ready to welcome Christ's reign in all its fullness, even when it demands a realignment of our priorities and a surrender of our self-sufficiency. It prompts us to examine whether our "trouble" stems from a fear of God's kingdom or a joyful anticipation of its transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What aspects of Christ's sovereignty or teachings do I find most challenging or "troubling" in my own life?**
* **In what ways might I, like Herod, be clinging to earthly power or control that conflicts with God's will?**
* **How do I respond when God's truth disrupts my comfort or challenges my preconceived notions?**
* **Am I more concerned with maintaining my personal peace and security, or with embracing the transformative, sometimes disruptive, truth of Christ's kingdom?**

### FAQ
**What "things" did Herod hear that caused him to be troubled?**

Answer: Herod heard the inquiry of the Magi, who had traveled from the East asking, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him" [Matthew 2:2](/matthew/2-2 "Matthew 2:2 - The Magi's Inquiry"). This direct question about a newly born "King of the Jews" was a direct challenge to Herod's own authority and title, which he held by Roman appointment, not by divine right or popular acclaim.

**Why was Herod the king so troubled by the news of the Messiah's birth?**

Answer: Herod's trouble stemmed from his deep-seated paranoia, insecurity, and ruthless determination to maintain his power. As a client king appointed by Rome, he was always suspicious of any potential rivals. The news of a "King of the Jews" born by prophecy, especially one whose birth was heralded by a star and sought by foreign dignitaries, represented an existential threat to his throne. His history of executing family members and others suspected of disloyalty demonstrates his extreme measures to eliminate perceived threats, making his "trouble" a precursor to his murderous intent (as seen in [Matthew 2:16](/matthew/2-16 "Matthew 2:16 - Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents")).

**Why was "all Jerusalem" troubled with Herod?**

Answer: "All Jerusalem" was troubled not necessarily out of shared theological conviction with Herod, but likely out of fear of his well-known tyrannical reactions and the potential for widespread unrest. The people of Jerusalem had experienced Herod's brutality and understood that any challenge to his rule could lead to severe consequences for the city, including mass executions, increased taxation, or even direct Roman military intervention. Their trouble was a pragmatic fear of the earthly repercussions and disruption that the news of a new king might provoke, rather than a spiritual rejection of the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 2:3 profoundly foreshadows the ongoing tension and ultimate conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world, all centered on the person of Christ. Herod's immediate "trouble" upon hearing of the true King's birth is a microcosm of humanity's broader resistance to God's sovereign rule, which culminates in the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus. The world, represented by Herod's earthly power and Jerusalem's fear of disruption, consistently struggles to embrace a King whose kingdom "is not of this world" [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World"). Yet, the very fear and opposition that Jesus faced from His infancy ultimately serve to highlight His unique authority and divine mission. His death, orchestrated by the very powers that sought to eliminate Him, became the means of salvation, demonstrating that God's plan cannot be thwarted by human resistance. The "trouble" of Herod and Jerusalem ultimately gives way to the triumph of the cross and the empty tomb, where the true King, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), establishes His eternal reign, inviting all to find peace and true security in His kingdom, not in the fleeting powers of this age [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness into His Kingdom").

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.

Cross-References

Acts 17:6

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

Acts 17:7

Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.

John 11:47

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

John 11:48

If we let him thus alone, all [men] will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

Matthew 23:37

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!

Matthew 8:29

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Acts 4:2

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.