1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of King Herod, wise men2:1. Or "Magi." These are believed to be religious priest-rulers, probably from Persia, who studied the stars. came from the east to Jerusalem.
2 "Where is the King of the Jews who has been born?" they asked. "We saw his star in the east and we’ve come to worship him."
3 When King Herod heard about it, he was very disturbed, and the whole of Jerusalem with him. 4 Herod summoned all the chief priests and religious teachers of the people, and asked them where the Messiah was supposed to be born.
5 "Bethlehem in Judea," they told him, "for that’s what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘Bethlehem in the land of Judea, you are certainly not the least important of Judah’s leading cities,2:6. "Cities," implied. for a leader will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.2:6. Referencing Micah 5:2 and 2 Samuel 5:2.’"
13 After they’d left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and told him, "Get up, and take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Remain there until I tell you, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."
14 So Joseph got up and took the boy and his mother, and left during the night for Egypt. 15 They stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord said through the prophet, "I called my son out of Egypt."2:15. Quoting Hosea 11:1.
16 When Herod realized he’d been fooled by the wise men, he got very angry. He sent men to kill all the young boys in Bethlehem and the regions nearby who were two years old and under. This was based on the time frame he’d discovered from the wise men.2:16. In other words, it had been up to two years previously that the star had first appeared to the wise men. 17 In this way Jeremiah’s prophecy was fulfilled: 18 "The sound of terrible weeping and mourning was heard in Rama, Rachel crying for her children. They are dead, and she can’t be comforted."2:18. Quoting Jeremiah 31:15.
19 After Herod died the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and told him, 20 "Get up! Take the child and his mother, and return to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead."
21 So Joseph got up and took the boy and his mother, and returned to the land of Israel. 22 But Joseph was afraid to go there after he learned that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as king of Judea. Warned in a dream, Joseph went to the Galilee area 23 and settled down in Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said, "He will be called a Nazarene."2:23. Referring to Jesus. Matthew is not citing one specific prophecy here.