Matthew 2 · Verse 3

Matthew 2:3

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:3, King James Version

Matthew 2:3 in other translations

BSBWhen King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
WEBWhen King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
ASVAnd when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
YLTAnd Herod the king having heard, was stirred, and all Jerusalem with him,
DARBYBut Herod the king having heard of it, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
BBEAnd when it came to the ears of Herod the king, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
WebsterWhen Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

What does Matthew 2:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled--viewing this as a danger to his own throne: perhaps his guilty conscience also suggested other grounds of fear. and all Jerusalem with him--from a dread of revolutionary commotions, and perhaps also of Herod's rage.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. Had heard these things. Had heard of their coming, and of the star, and of the design of their coming.

He was troubled. Herod had obtained the kingdom by great crimes, and by shedding much blood. He was, therefore, easily alarmed by any remarkable appearances; and the fact that this star appeared, and that it was regarded as proof that the King of the Jews was born, alarmed him. Besides, it was a common expectation that the Messiah was about to appear, and he feared that his reign was about to come to an end. He, therefore, began to inquire in what way he might secure his own safety, and the permanency of his government.

All Jerusalem. The people of Jerusalem, and particularly the friends of Herod. There were many waiting for the consolation of Israel, to whom the coming of the Messiah would be a matter of joy; but all of Herod's friends would doubtless be alarmed at his coming.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 When Herod - heard these things, he was troubled - Herod's consternation was probably occasioned by the agreement of the account of the magi, with an opinion predominant throughout the east, and particularly in Judea, that some great personage would soon make his appearance, for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies; and would take upon himself universal empire. Suetonius and Tacitus, two Roman historians, mention this. Their words are very remarkable: - Percrebuerat Oriente toto, vetus et constans opinio, esse in fatis, ut eo tempore Judaea profecti rerum potirentur. Id de imperatare Romano, quantum eventu postea predictum patuit, Judaei ad se trahentes, rebellarunt. Sueton. Vesp. "An ancient and settled persuasion prevailed throughout the east, that the fates had decreed some to proceed from Judea, who should attain universal empire. This persuasion, which the event proved to respect the Roman emperor, the Jews applied to themselves, and therefore rebelled." The words of Tacitus are nearly similar: - Pluribus persuasio inerat, antiquis sacerdotum literis contineri, eo ipso tempore fore, ut valesceret Oriens, profectique Judaea rerum potirentur. Quae ambages Vespasianum ac Titum praedixerant. "Many were persuaded, that it was contained in the ancient books of their priests, that at that very time the east should prevail: and that some should proceed from Judea and possess the dominion. It was Vespasian and Titus that these ambiguous prophecies predicted." Histor. v.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 2:1-8

Those who live at the greatest distance from the means of grace often use most diligence, and learn to know the most of Christ and his salvation. But no curious arts, or mere human learning, can direct men unto him. We must learn of Christ by attending to the word of God, as a light that shineth in a dark place, and by seeking the teaching of the Holy Spirit. And those in whose hearts the day-star is risen, to give…

Read the full comment on Matthew 2:1-8 →

Matthew 2:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἈκούσαςAkousasHaving heardG191
δὲdethenG1161
ὁho<the>G3588
βασιλεὺςbasileusKingG935
ἩρῴδηςHērōdēsHerodG2264
ἐταράχθηetarachthēhe was troubledG5015
καὶkaiandG2532
πᾶσαpasaallG3956
ἹεροσόλυμαHi'erosolumaJerusalemG2414
μετ᾽met᾽withG3326
αὐτοῦ,autouhim,G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 2:3

  • Acts 17:6-7

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

  • John 11:47-48

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

  • Acts 4:2

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

  • 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?

  • 1 Kings 18:17-18

    And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.

  • Acts 4:24-27

    And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

  • Acts 16:20-21

    And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

  • Acts 5:24-28

    Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
he.
8:29; 23:37; 1Ki 18:17,18; Joh 11:47,48; Ac 4:2,24-27; 5:24-28
Ac 16:20,21; 17:6,7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 2:2

    Saying, 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 2:3

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

  • Matthew 2:4

    And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Read all of Matthew 2

Matthew 2:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y oyendo esto el rey Herodes, se turbó, y toda Jerusalem con él.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais le roi Hérode, l’ayant entendu dire, en fut troublé, et tout Jérusalem avec lui;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Als aber der König Herodes es hörte, wurde er bestürzt, und ganz Jerusalem mit ihm;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Audiens autem Herodes rex, turbatus est, et omnis Jerosolyma cum illo.