And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the peopleThis phrase indicates King Herod's action of gathering the religious leaders of the Jewish people. The chief priests included the high priest and other temple officials, who were primarily Sadducees, a sect known for their aristocratic status and collaboration with Roman authorities. The scribes, often associated with the Pharisees, were experts in the Jewish Law and held significant influence over religious and legal matters. This assembly reflects Herod's concern over the Magi's inquiry about the "king of the Jews" and his desire to understand the prophecies concerning the Messiah. The gathering of these leaders underscores the importance of the event and the threat Herod perceived to his rule.
he asked them where the Christ was to be born
Herod's question reveals his awareness of Jewish Messianic expectations. "The Christ" refers to the anointed one, the Messiah, whom the Jews anticipated as a deliverer and king. The inquiry about the birthplace of the Messiah points to the prophecy inMicah 5:2, which specifies Bethlehem as the location. This prophecy is significant as it connects Jesus' birth to the lineage of David, fulfilling the expectation that the Messiah would come from David's line. Herod's question also highlights the tension between political power and divine prophecy, as he seeks to use this information for his own ends, contrasting with the Magi's genuine search for worship.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Herod the GreatThe ruling king of Judea at the time of Jesus' birth, known for his paranoia and tyrannical rule. He sought to maintain his power by any means necessary, including the massacre of infants in Bethlehem.
2.
Chief PriestsReligious leaders in Jerusalem, primarily from the Sadducees, who were responsible for temple rituals and maintaining religious order. They held significant influence in Jewish society.
3.
ScribesExperts in the Jewish Law, often associated with the Pharisees. They were responsible for teaching and interpreting the Scriptures.
4.
The Christ (Messiah)The anointed one promised in the Hebrew Scriptures, expected to deliver Israel and establish God's kingdom.
5.
BethlehemThe prophesied birthplace of the Messiah, as foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures, specifically in
Micah 5:2.
Teaching Points
The Importance of ProphecyUnderstanding the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the New Testament strengthens our faith in the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture.
God's Sovereignty in HistoryDespite Herod's attempts to thwart God's plan, the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem demonstrates God's control over historical events to fulfill His purposes.
The Role of Religious LeadersThe chief priests and scribes had knowledge of the Scriptures but failed to recognize the Messiah. This serves as a warning to ensure our knowledge leads to a relationship with Christ, not just intellectual understanding.
Seeking Jesus with Right IntentionsHerod's inquiry was driven by fear and a desire to eliminate a threat. In contrast, our pursuit of Jesus should be motivated by a genuine desire to know and worship Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 2:4?
2.How does Matthew 2:4 demonstrate the importance of seeking scriptural wisdom in leadership?
3.What role do the chief priests and scribes play in Matthew 2:4?
4.How can we apply the pursuit of biblical knowledge in our daily decisions?
5.What Old Testament prophecies are connected to the events in Matthew 2:4?
6.How does Herod's inquiry in Matthew 2:4 reflect our need for spiritual guidance?
7.Why did Herod consult the chief priests and scribes in Matthew 2:4?
8.How does Matthew 2:4 reflect the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy?
9.What significance do the chief priests and scribes hold in Matthew 2:4?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 2?
11.Why do different Gospels have different reasons for why Jesus was arrested?
12.What events define the 33 AD journey to the cross?
13.What does the Bible say about prophecy?
14.John 7:41–42 – Why do some question the Messiah’s origin in Galilee if Scripture says the Messiah must come from Bethlehem?What Does Matthew 2:4 Mean
And when he had assembledHerod does not act alone; he calls a formal meeting. Much like later scenes inMatthew 26:3 andMark 14:53, rulers gather religious leaders when they feel threatened.
• Herod’s assembly shows fear: the same restlessness that stirred Pharaoh inExodus 1:9–10 now presses a paranoid king to search Scripture.
• God uses even hostile rulers to point to His plan, echoingProverbs 21:1: “The king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases”.
• Notice the timing: while the Magi rejoice (Matthew 2:10), Herod convenes a council. Two radically different responses to the same news.
all the chief priests and scribes of the peopleThe whole religious leadership is present.Luke 19:47 andJohn 11:47 later show this same group opposing Jesus.
• “Chief priests” includes current and former high priests and influential temple officials—people responsible for sacrifices (Numbers 18:5).
• “Scribes” are experts in the Law (Ezra 7:6). Ezra modeled humble study; these scribes will soon twist that knowledge (Matthew 23:13).
• Their title “of the people” stresses accountability. Just asMalachi 2:7 says priests should “preserve knowledge,” they now must speak truth before a king.
he asked themHerod’s question underscores the expectation that Scripture speaks with certainty.
• Instead of searching Roman archives, he turns to God’s Word, affirming its authority—ironically fulfillingPsalm 119:46: “I will speak of Your testimonies before kings.”
• Yet his motive is sinister. Like Balaam inNumbers 22, he seeks biblical insight for personal gain, not worship.
• The priests and scribes answer immediately in the next verse, proving that messianic prophecy was well known (compareJohn 1:41,Acts 13:27).
where the Christ was to be bornThe focus is location, not identity—Herod already accepts that “the Christ” (the promised Messiah) will come.
•Micah 5:2 provides the answer, quoted inMatthew 2:6. God specified Bethlehem centuries earlier, demonstrating His precision (1 Samuel 16:1 links Bethlehem with David, foreshadowingLuke 2:4–11).
•John 7:42 records the crowd citing the same prophecy, confirming its widespread acceptance.
• By asking “where,” Herod unknowingly affirms that the Messiah will be a real historical figure, born in a real town—fulfilling the literal promise ofGenesis 12:3 that blessing would enter history through Abraham’s line.
summaryMatthew 2:4 reveals a king in crisis, a council of experts, and the unwavering reliability of Scripture. Herod’s question, the leaders’ immediate answer, and Micah’s pinpoint prophecy all highlight God’s sovereign control. Even unbelieving authorities must acknowledge the Word’s accuracy, while true worshipers—like the Magi—respond with obedient joy.
(4)
The chief priests and scribes.--The chief priests were probably the heads of the twenty-four courses into which the sons of Aaron were divided (
2Chronicles 23:8;
Luke 1:5), but the term may have included those who had, though only for a time, held the office of high priest. The "scribes" were the interpreters of the Law, casuists and collectors of the traditions of the Elders, for the most part Pharisees. The meeting thus convened was not necessarily a formal meeting of the Sanhedrim or Great Council, and may have been only as a Committee of Notables called together for a special purpose. With a characteristic subtlety, as if trying to gauge the strength of their Messianic hopes, Herod acts as if he himself shared them, and asks where the Christ, the expected Messiah, the "anointed" of the Lord (
Psalm 2:2;
Psalm 45:7;
Psalm 89:20) was to be born.
Verse 4. -
And when he had gathered... together (
καὶ συναγαγών). The Revised Version,
and gathering together, suggests that there was no delay.
All the chief priests and scribes of the people (
πάνταςτοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ). In the absence of the article before
γραμματεῖς we must take the words, "of the people," as belonging to both terms. The addition helped to bring out the evangelist's thought that the representatives of the chosen people (
1 Peter 2:10) were fully informed of the coming of Christ. The chief priests (cf. also
Matthew 16:21, note) represented the ecclesiastical and Sadducean part, the scribes the more literary and probably the Pharisaic part, of the nation. The width of the term "all," and the double classification, seem to point to this not being a meeting of the Sanhedrin as such. Herod called an informal and perhaps the more comprehensive meeting of those who could assist him.
Hedemanded of them; Revised Version, in
quired, for "demand" is, in modern English, too strong for
ἐπυνθάνετο The tyrant could be courteous when it served his purpose. Does the imperfect mark his putting the question to one after another (cf.
Acts 1:6; and contrast
John 4:52)?
Where Christ (
the Christ, Revised Version)
should be born (
γεννᾶται). In ver. 2 (
ὁ τεχθείς) the stress lay on his birth as an accomplished fact. Here on his birth as connected with his origin The present is chosen, not the future, because Herod is stating a theological question without reference to time. Observe, in Herod's inquiry and subsequent action, the combination of superstition and irreligion. He was willing to accept the witness of stars and of prophecies, but not willing to allow himself to be morally influenced by it. His attempt to kill this Child was the expression of a desire to destroy the Jewish nationality
so far as this was severed from himself, and perhaps with it to uproot at the same time a fundamental part of the Jewish religion.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Whenκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.he had assembledσυναγαγὼν(synagagōn)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4863:From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.allπάντας(pantas)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.theτοὺς(tous)Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.chief priestsἀρχιερεῖς(archiereis)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 749:High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.scribesγραμματεῖς(grammateis)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1122:From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.of theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.people,λαοῦ(laou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992:Apparently a primary word; a people.he inquiredἐπυνθάνετο(epynthaneto)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4441:To ask, inquire, ascertain by inquiry, understand.whereποῦ(pou)Adverb
Strong's 4226:Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.ChristΧριστὸς(Christos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547:Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.was to be born.γεννᾶται(gennatai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1080:From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 2:4 Gathering together all the chief priests (Matt. Mat Mt) 
