Matthew 2:3

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

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}.

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

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

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

Matthew 2:3 KJV captures the immediate and profound reaction of King Herod and the city of Jerusalem to the news of the Messiah's birth. This verse marks a pivotal moment, shifting the narrative from the joyous anticipation of the Magi to the dangerous political realities surrounding Christ's arrival.

Context

The "these things" Herod heard refers to the inquiry of the Magi who arrived in Jerusalem seeking the newborn "King of the Jews". Herod the Great, the Roman-appointed ruler of Judea, was notoriously paranoid, ruthless, and fiercely protective of his throne. He had previously executed family members whom he suspected of plotting against him. The news of another king, especially one prophesied by ancient texts, posed an existential threat to his power. The phrase "all Jerusalem with him" is significant, suggesting that the city's inhabitants were troubled not necessarily by the birth of the Messiah itself, but by the potential for unrest, Herod's violent reactions, or Roman intervention that such a claim might provoke. They feared the earthly consequences of this divine revelation.

Key Themes

  • Fear and Insecurity of Earthly Power: Herod's deep disturbance highlights how worldly authority, built on control and fear, perceives the arrival of God's true kingdom as a threat. His reign was founded on human decree, contrasting sharply with the divine authority of the newborn King.
  • Rejection and Opposition to Christ: From the very beginning, the Messiah faced opposition. Herod's immediate reaction was not worship but fear and a desire to eliminate. This foreshadows the ongoing resistance Jesus would encounter throughout His ministry.
  • The Unsettling Nature of Truth: The truth of Christ's kingship was unsettling to those who held power or were comfortable with the status quo. It demanded a realignment of loyalties and a recognition of a higher authority, which many were unwilling to embrace.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "troubled" is etarachthe (ἐταράχθη), from the verb tarasso. It signifies more than just being mildly concerned; it means to be stirred up, agitated, disquieted, or deeply disturbed. It implies an internal commotion and often leads to outward action, reflecting Herod's profound fear and the subsequent plotting that would lead to the slaughter of the innocents. The fact that "all Jerusalem" was troubled with him indicates a widespread unease, perhaps fearing Herod's tyrannical response or the disruption of their daily lives.

Practical Application

Matthew 2:3 serves as a timeless reminder that the truth of Jesus Christ often brings division. For those who cling to worldly power, comfort, or self-sufficiency, the claims of Christ can be deeply unsettling. His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), and it challenges all earthly systems and allegiances. This verse encourages us to examine our own hearts: do we welcome the truth of Christ's reign with joy and worship, or do we, like Herod and Jerusalem, find ourselves troubled by its implications for our lives and our control?

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.
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