Definition
Matthew 2:5 is the fifth verse of the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The verse records a statement made by the chief priests and scribes in response to the inquiry of the Magi regarding the birthplace of the Messiah.
Overview
In the narrative, the Magi (wise men from the East) arrive in Jerusalem seeking "the child who has been born king of the Jews." King Herod summons the chief priests and scribes to ascertain where the Messiah is expected to be born. Matthew 2:5 records their reply: “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet has written.” (New Revised Standard Version). This verse links the birth of Jesus to the Old Testament prophecy found in Micah 5:2, establishing theological continuity between the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian claim of Jesus as the Messiah.
Etymology/Origin
The notation “Matthew 2:5” follows the conventional biblical citation format: Book (Matthew), chapter (2), verse (5). The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally attributed to the apostle Matthew, though modern scholarship often regards it as a composite work composed in the early second century CE within a Greco‑Roman Jewish milieu. The verse itself derives from the Greek text of the Gospel, wherein the phrasing is: “ἐν Βηθλεὲμ τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ” (en Bethleem tē Galilaia). Various translations render the location as “Bethlehem of Judea” or “Bethlehem of Judea, for it is written by the prophet.”
Characteristics
- Textual Content: The verse consists of a concise affirmation of Bethlehem as the prophesied birthplace, citing an unnamed prophetic source.
- Scriptural Cross‑Reference: It directly references Micah 5:2, which mentions Bethlehem as the origin of a ruler who will "the shepherd of Israel."
- Theological Role: The statement serves to legitimize Jesus’ messianic claim within the narrative, aligning his birth with longstanding Jewish expectations.
- Historical Context: At the time of composition, Bethlehem was a small town in the Judean hills, historically associated with King David, thereby strengthening the connection between Jesus and Davidic lineage.
- Textual Variants: Minor variations exist among manuscript traditions concerning the phrase “of Judea” versus “of Galilee,” but the majority of critical editions adopt “of Judea.”
Related Topics
- Nativity of Jesus – accounts of Jesus’ birth in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
- Micah 5:2 – Old Testament prophecy referenced in Matthew 2:5.
- Herod the Great – ruler of Judea who interacts with the Magi in the surrounding narrative.
- Magi (Biblical) – the wise men who seek the newborn king.
- Chronology of the New Testament – scholarly efforts to determine the historical timeline of events depicted in the Gospels.
- Biblical Translation – variations in rendering Matthew 2:5 across different language versions and editions.