Matthew / Chapter 2

Matthew 2

23 verses • SBL Greek New Testament

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Matthew 2 narrates four episodes from Jesus's infancy: the visit of the Magi from the East who follow a star to find the newborn king, Herod's duplicitous scheme to locate the child, the holy family's flight to Egypt, and the massacre of infants in Bethlehem followed by the family's eventual settlement in Nazareth. Each episode is anchored by a fulfillment quotation from the Hebrew prophets, establishing Matthew's theological framework that Jesus's life recapitulates Israel's story.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The chapter contains four fulfillment quotations (Micah 5:2, Hosea 11:1, Jeremiah 31:15, and a composite prophetic reference to Nazareth) — more than any other chapter in Matthew. The Magi are Gentile astrologers, and their worship of Jesus anticipates the universal scope of the Gospel. Herod's massacre echoes Pharaoh's slaughter of Hebrew infants in Exodus 1, casting Jesus as a new Moses. The flight to Egypt and return deliberately mirrors Israel's own journey — Jesus embodies Israel's story in his own person.

Translation Friction

The phrase 'out of Egypt I called my son' (v. 15) originally referred to Israel as a nation in Hosea 11:1, not to an individual Messiah. Matthew's typological reading is not a prediction-fulfillment in the modern sense but a theological claim that Jesus recapitulates Israel's experience. We render the quotations as Matthew presents them without editorializing on the hermeneutical method. The 'star' (aster) in the Magi narrative has been variously interpreted as astronomical, astrological, or miraculous — the Greek text does not resolve the question, and we preserve the ambiguity.

Connections

The Magi narrative connects to Numbers 24:17 (the star of Jacob), Isaiah 60:1-6 (nations bringing gifts), and Psalm 72:10-11 (kings offering tribute). The flight to Egypt connects to the Exodus narrative and Hosea 11:1. Rachel weeping connects to Jeremiah 31:15 and the exile. The Nazareth reference may connect to Isaiah 11:1 (netser, 'branch') through wordplay.

Matthew 2:1

Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐν Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἐν ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως, ἰδοὺ μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν παρεγένοντο εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem,

KJV Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

μάγοι magoi
"wise men" — magi, wise men, astrologers, Persian priest-scholars

The term originally referred to a priestly caste in Persia associated with dream interpretation and astrology. These are Gentile scholars following celestial signs to find a Jewish king — an extraordinary narrative choice by Matthew.

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek magoi ('magi, wise men') refers to Persian-origin astrologer-priests, not kings. The traditional 'three wise men' is not in the text — the number three is inferred from the three gifts. 'From the East' (apo anatolon) literally means 'from the rising [of the sun],' indicating Persia, Babylon, or Arabia. The genitive absolute construction 'Jesus having been born' (tou Iesou genneethentos) indicates the birth has already occurred — the Magi do not arrive at the manger.
Matthew 2:2

λέγοντες· Ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ τεχθεὶς βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων; εἴδομεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ.

Declaring, Where is he that is born to be king of the Jews? since we have seen his star appear when it rose, and are traveled here to honor him.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase 'king of the Jews' (basileus ton Ioudaion) will reappear at Jesus's trial and crucifixion (27:11, 37), forming a bitter inclusio across the Gospel. The Greek proskynesai can mean 'worship' (of God) or 'pay homage' (to a king) — the Magi may intend political respect, but Matthew's readers would hear deeper significance. 'At its rising' (en tee anatolee, singular) is better than 'in the east,' which would be the plural form — it refers to the star's heliacal rising.
Matthew 2:3

ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἡρῴδης ἐταράχθη καὶ πᾶσα Ἱεροσόλυμα μετ' αὐτοῦ,

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

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb etarachthee ('was troubled, disturbed, agitated') is strong — the same word describes the disciples' terror at seeing Jesus walk on water (14:26). Herod's disturbance is political paranoia: he was not the legitimate Davidic heir and was fiercely protective of his throne. That 'all Jerusalem' shared his alarm reflects either the population's fear of Herod's violent reactions or their own unease at messianic claims that could provoke Roman intervention.
Matthew 2:4

καὶ συναγαγὼν πάντας τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ ἐπυνθάνετο παρ' αὐτῶν ποῦ ὁ Χριστὸς γεννᾶται.

He assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Herod consults the Jewish religious establishment — the chief priests (archiereis) and scribes (grammateis), the recognized experts in Torah interpretation. The imperfect tense epynthaneto ('was inquiring') may suggest repeated or persistent questioning. 'The Christ' (ho Christos) with the definite article indicates the expected Messiah as a known concept.
Matthew 2:5

οἱ δὲ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· Ἐν Βηθλέεμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας· οὕτως γὰρ γέγραπται διὰ τοῦ προφήτου·

They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what has been written through the prophet:

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The perfect tense gegraptai ('it has been written and stands written') indicates the enduring authority of the prophetic text. The religious leaders know the scriptural answer immediately but show no inclination to act on it — a tragic irony that Matthew develops throughout the Gospel.
Matthew 2:6

Καὶ σύ, Βηθλέεμ γῆ Ἰούδα, οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη εἶ ἐν τοῖς ἡγεμόσιν Ἰούδα· ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἐξελεύσεται ἡγούμενος, ὅστις ποιμανεῖ τὸν λαόν μου τὸν Ἰσραήλ.

'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"

KJV And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Matthew's quotation combines Micah 5:2 with 2 Samuel 5:2, modifying the original. Micah's Hebrew reads 'too small to be among the clans of Judah,' but Matthew reverses it to 'by no means least' — an interpretive rendering that emphasizes Bethlehem's dignity rather than its smallness. The verb poimanei ('will shepherd') draws on the ancient Near Eastern image of the king as shepherd, connecting Jesus to David, who was literally a shepherd from Bethlehem before becoming king.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Micah 5:2. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes 2 Samuel 5:2. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
Matthew 2:7

Τότε Ἡρῴδης λάθρᾳ καλέσας τοὺς μάγους ἠκρίβωσεν παρ' αὐτῶν τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος,

Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and determined from them the exact time the star had appeared.

KJV Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The adverb lathra ('secretly') reveals Herod's duplicity — he does not want the religious leaders or the public to know he is tracking this. The verb ekribosen ('determined precisely, ascertained exactly') shows calculated intent; he is establishing a timeline that will later determine the age range for the massacre (v. 16).
Matthew 2:8

καὶ πέμψας αὐτοὺς εἰς Βηθλέεμ εἶπεν· Πορευθέντες ἐξετάσατε ἀκριβῶς περὶ τοῦ παιδίου· ἐπὰν δὲ εὕρητε, ἀπαγγείλατέ μοι, ὅπως κἀγὼ ἐλθὼν προσκυνήσω αὐτῷ.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too may go and pay him homage."

KJV And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Herod's claim that he wishes to 'pay homage' (proskyneso) uses the same word the Magi used in verse 2. The dramatic irony is sharp — the reader knows Herod intends to destroy the child, not honor him. The word paidion ('young child') rather than brephos ('infant') may suggest the child is no longer a newborn.
Matthew 2:9

οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπορεύθησαν, καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀστὴρ ὃν εἶδον ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ προῆγεν αὐτούς, ἕως ἐλθὼν ἐστάθη ἐπάνω οὗ ἦν τὸ παιδίον.

After hearing the king, they set out, and there — the star they had seen at its rising went ahead of them until it came and stood over the place where the child was.

KJV When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The star's behavior — going ahead and then standing over a specific location — goes beyond normal astronomical phenomena. The Greek proegen ('went ahead, led the way') and estathee ('stood, came to rest') describe purposeful guidance. Matthew presents this without rationalization, and we render it straightforwardly.
Matthew 2:10

ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα.

When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.

KJV When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek is emphatic to the point of redundancy: echareesan charan megaleen sphodra — literally 'they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.' This cognate accusative construction (rejoiced a rejoicing) intensifies the emotion. We condense this into 'overwhelmed with joy' to capture the force without the awkward literalism.
Matthew 2:11

καὶ ἐλθόντες εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν εἶδον τὸ παιδίον μετὰ Μαρίας τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ πεσόντες προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀνοίξαντες τοὺς θησαυροὺς αὐτῶν προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ δῶρα, χρυσὸν καὶ λίβανον καὶ σμύρναν.

They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling down, they worshiped him. Then, opening their treasure chests, they presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

KJV And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The setting is a house (oikian), not a manger — consistent with the passage of time since the birth. Joseph is notably absent from the scene; only 'Mary his mother' is mentioned. The verb prosekyneesan ('worshiped') is the strongest form of homage. The three gifts — gold (royalty), frankincense (divinity/priesthood), and myrrh (burial/suffering) — have been read typologically since early Christianity, though Matthew does not allegorize them.
Matthew 2:12

καὶ χρηματισθέντες κατ' ὄναρ μὴ ἀνακάμψαι πρὸς Ἡρῴδην, δι' ἄλλης ὁδοῦ ἀνεχώρησαν εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτῶν.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another route.

KJV And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb chrematisthentes ('having been warned, having received a divine message') specifically denotes an oracular communication — this is not an ordinary dream but a divine directive. The Magi's obedience to the dream over Herod's command places divine authority above political authority, a theme Matthew develops throughout the Gospel.
Matthew 2:13

Ἀναχωρησάντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος κυρίου φαίνεται κατ' ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ λέγων· Ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ φεῦγε εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ ἴσθι ἐκεῖ ἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι· μέλλει γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ζητεῖν τὸ παιδίον τοῦ ἀπολέσαι αὐτό.

After they had departed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child to destroy him."

KJV And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The urgency is conveyed by three rapid imperatives: 'get up' (egertheis), 'take' (paralabe), 'flee' (pheuge). Egypt — Israel's ancient place of bondage — now becomes a place of refuge. The phrase 'the child and his mother' (repeated in vv. 14, 20, 21) consistently places Jesus first and omits Joseph's name, emphasizing the child's primacy and the fact that Joseph is the guardian, not the biological father.
Matthew 2:14

ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβεν τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ νυκτὸς καὶ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον,

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and withdrew to Egypt,

KJV When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Joseph's response is immediate — he departs that same night (nyktos, 'by night'). The word anechoresen ('withdrew') carries connotations of strategic retreat, the same verb used for Jesus's own tactical withdrawals later in the Gospel (4:12, 12:15, 14:13).
Matthew 2:15

καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ ἕως τῆς τελευτῆς Ἡρῴδου· ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· Ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἐκάλεσα τὸν υἱόν μου.

Was there until the passing of Herod — that it could be fulfilled which had been spoken of the Lord by the prophet of old and stated, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

KJV And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The quotation is from Hosea 11:1, where 'my son' originally referred to Israel as a nation being called out of Egyptian slavery at the Exodus. Matthew reads this typologically — Jesus recapitulates Israel's journey. As Israel was God's 'son' called from Egypt, so Jesus, God's Son, is called from Egypt. This is not prediction-fulfillment in the strict sense but typological correspondence: the pattern of Israel's story finds its ultimate expression in Jesus.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] This verse quotes Hosea 11:1 — see the TCR rendering of that passage for the Hebrew source text and translation decisions.
Matthew 2:16

Τότε Ἡρῴδης ἰδὼν ὅτι ἐνεπαίχθη ὑπὸ τῶν μάγων ἐθυμώθη λίαν, καὶ ἀποστείλας ἀνεῖλεν πάντας τοὺς παῖδας τοὺς ἐν Βηθλέεμ καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτῆς ἀπὸ διετοῦς καὶ κατωτέρω, κατὰ τὸν χρόνον ὃν ἠκρίβωσεν παρὰ τῶν μάγων.

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men, he flew into a rage and sent soldiers to kill all the male children in Bethlehem and its surrounding region who were two years old and under, based on the time he had determined from the wise men.

KJV Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb enepaichthee ('was outwitted, mocked, tricked') is the same word used for the mocking of Jesus before his crucifixion (27:29, 31), creating a grim verbal connection between Herod's rage and Jesus's passion. The phrase ethymothee lian ('was exceedingly angry') describes murderous fury. The age threshold of two years (dietous) is based on Herod's calculation from verse 7, suggesting the star appeared up to two years before the Magi's arrival. 'Soldiers' is implied by the verb apostellas ('having sent') — Herod dispatched agents to carry out the order.
Matthew 2:17

τότε ἐπληρώθη τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ἰερεμίου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος·

Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

KJV Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This fulfillment formula uses a different construction than verse 15 — 'then was fulfilled' (tote epleerothee) rather than 'in order that it might be fulfilled' (hina pleerothee). The shift may indicate that this event fulfilled prophecy as a tragic echo rather than as a divinely intended purpose — Matthew is careful in his language about the massacre.
Matthew 2:18

Φωνὴ ἐν Ῥαμὰ ἠκούσθη, κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὀδυρμὸς πολύς· Ῥαχὴλ κλαίουσα τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν παρακληθῆναι, ὅτι οὐκ εἰσίν.

"A voice was heard in Ramah — weeping and great mourning — Rachel weeping for her children, and she refused to be comforted, because they are no more."

KJV In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The quotation is from Jeremiah 31:15. In its original context, Rachel (the matriarch buried near Bethlehem, Genesis 35:19) weeps for her descendants being taken into exile. Matthew applies the image to the murdered children — Rachel's weeping continues across the centuries. The phrase 'because they are no more' (hoti ouk eisin) is devastating in its simplicity. Ramah was a staging ground for the Babylonian deportation (Jeremiah 40:1), and Rachel's tomb was associated with the Bethlehem area.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Jeremiah 31:15 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Genesis 35:19 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
  4. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Jeremiah 40:1 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
Matthew 2:19

Τελευτήσαντος δὲ τοῦ Ἡρῴδου ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος κυρίου φαίνεται κατ' ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

KJV But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Herod the Great died in 4 BC by conventional chronology. The angelic appearance follows the same pattern as 1:20 and 2:13 — divine guidance through dreams. The historical present phainetai ('appears') adds narrative vividness.
Matthew 2:20

λέγων· Ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ πορεύου εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ· τεθνήκασιν γὰρ οἱ ζητοῦντες τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ παιδίου.

Declaring, Arise, and take the little child and his mother, and go into Israel's territory — since those who threatened who were seeking the little child's life.

KJV Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The plural 'those who were seeking' (hoi zetountes) when only Herod has been mentioned echoes Exodus 4:19, where God tells Moses 'all those who sought your life have died' — another Moses-Jesus parallel. The phrase 'seeking the life' (zetountes teen psychen) is a Septuagintal idiom for murderous intent.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] This verse quotes Exodus 4:19 — see the TCR rendering of that passage for the Hebrew source text and translation decisions.
Matthew 2:21

ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβεν τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ.

So he got up, took the child and his mother, and entered the land of Israel.

KJV And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase 'entered the land of Israel' (eiselthen eis gen Israel) echoes the conquest narratives — Joshua 'entering' the promised land. Jesus's return from Egypt to Israel recapitulates the Exodus-to-Canaan journey.
Matthew 2:22

ἀκούσας δὲ ὅτι Ἀρχέλαος βασιλεύει τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἀντὶ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ Ἡρῴδου ἐφοβήθη ἐκεῖ ἀπελθεῖν· χρηματισθεὶς δὲ κατ' ὄναρ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη τῆς Γαλιλαίας,

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee,

KJV But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Archelaus inherited Judea and was notoriously brutal — he was eventually deposed by Rome in AD 6 for excessive cruelty. Joseph's fear is historically well-grounded. Galilee was under the rule of Herod Antipas, who was comparatively less dangerous. The divine warning in a dream (chrematistheis) is the fourth dream-revelation in chapters 1-2, establishing dreams as Matthew's primary channel for divine guidance in the infancy narrative.
Matthew 2:23

καὶ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς πόλιν λεγομένην Ναζαρέτ· ὅπως πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν ὅτι Ναζωραῖος κληθήσεται.

He arrived and dwelt in a city called Nazareth — that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He will be known as a Nazarene.

KJV And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This is the most puzzling of Matthew's fulfillment quotations — no extant Old Testament passage says 'He will be called a Nazarene.' Three explanations are commonly offered: (1) a wordplay on netser ('branch') from Isaiah 11:1, connecting the Messiah to the 'branch of Jesse'; (2) a connection to nazir ('Nazirite, consecrated one'); (3) a reference to the general contempt associated with Nazareth (cf. John 1:46, 'Can anything good come from Nazareth?'). Matthew uniquely says 'prophets' (plural), suggesting a composite theme rather than a single text. The name Nazoraios became a primary designation for Jesus and his followers.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Isaiah 11:1 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
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