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Matthew 2:5

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And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

And {G1161} they said {G2036} unto him {G846}, In {G1722} Bethlehem {G965} of Judaea {G2449}: for {G1063} thus {G3779} it is written {G1125} by {G1223} the prophet {G4396},

"In BeitLechem of Y'hudah," they replied, "because the prophet wrote,

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written through the prophet,

Commentary

Matthew 2:5 is a pivotal verse in the Christmas narrative, revealing the precise location of the Messiah's birth as foretold in ancient prophecy. It records the answer given by the chief priests and scribes to King Herod concerning where the Christ (Messiah) was to be born.

Context

Following the arrival of the wise men from the East in Jerusalem, seeking the newborn "King of the Jews," King Herod was greatly disturbed (Matthew 2:3). To understand the situation, Herod convened the leading religious scholars of his day – the chief priests and scribes – and demanded to know where the Christ was prophesied to be born (Matthew 2:4). Their immediate and unanimous response, as recorded in this verse, points directly to Bethlehem.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The primary message is the precise fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy regarding the Messiah's birthplace. The chief priests and scribes, knowledgeable in scripture, knew exactly where to find the answer.
  • Divine Sovereignty: This verse underscores God's meticulous planning and control over history. Even seemingly mundane details like a birth location were part of His grand design, ensuring that all prophecies concerning Jesus were fulfilled.
  • Authority of Scripture: The religious leaders instantly referred to the written word of the prophet as the ultimate authority on the matter, highlighting the Bible's reliability and its role in revealing God's plan.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thus it is written by the prophet" uses the Greek word gegraptai (γέγραπται), which is a perfect passive indicative form of the verb "to write." This grammatical construction emphasizes that the prophecy was not just written in the past, but it remains a completed and authoritative statement with continuing force and certainty of fulfillment. It signifies "it stands written" or "it has been written and remains written," reinforcing the immutable nature of God's word, as seen in other contexts of prophecy fulfillment.

Related Scriptures

The specific prophecy referred to here is found in Micah 5:2, which is directly quoted in the subsequent verse, Matthew 2:6. Micah, writing centuries before Christ's birth, pinpointed Bethlehem as the origin of the Ruler who would shepherd Israel. This geographical detail is also echoed in Luke's account of Jesus' birth, where Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem for the census.

Practical Application

Matthew 2:5 reminds us of God's faithfulness and the absolute reliability of His Word. Just as the precise birthplace of Jesus was foretold and came to pass, so too can we trust that all of God's promises, including those concerning the future, will be fulfilled. It encourages us to delve into Scripture, knowing that within its pages lie answers to life's most profound questions and guidance for our paths, just as it guided the religious leaders in identifying the Messiah's birthplace.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 7:42 (9 votes)

    Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

  • Ruth 1:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

  • 1 Samuel 16:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

  • Ruth 2:4 (3 votes)

    ¶ And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD [be] with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

  • Ruth 4:11 (2 votes)

    And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

  • Ruth 1:19 (2 votes)

    ¶ So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, [Is] this Naomi?

  • Joshua 19:15 (2 votes)

    And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.