Matthew 2

behold
This Greek interjection ἰδοὺ (idou) functions to arrest the attention of the reader, indicating that something of great importance is about to occur. Thus, it is preserved in the translation.

was inquiring
The English phrase “was inquiring” captures the imperfect tense of the Greek verb ἐπυνθάνετο (epunthaneto), which portrays the action to be in progress.

what has been written
The verb γράφω (graphō) in the perfect tense is normally translated “it is written.” Here it is translated “has been written” because of the agency of the prophet mentioned directly afterward, and thus the translation “is written” would be contextually and grammatically unfitting. This is the only place in Matthew where γέγραπται (gegraptai) is followed by an agent (“through the prophet”; διὰ τοῦ προφήτου; dia tou prophētou), and thus the only place where the verb is translated this way.

LEADERS, LEADER
The first Greek term for “leaders” is ἡγεμών (hēgemōn), and the second occurrence of “leader” comes from the term ἡγέομαι (hēgeomai). By using these terms, Matthew differs from the LXX/OG translation and draws a connection between these two words in his citation of Micah 5:2. The translation here reflects that connection—that out of this lowly town of Bethlehem the true Leader of Judah and Israel will come forth, therein giving prominence to the town as well.

carefully determined
The phrase “carefully determined” translates a single word in Greek, the verb ἀκριβόω (akriboō). This accurately brings out the nuance of the verb, which indicates Herod’s intense desire to discover the age of the Child. That the Child’s age is important to him is further confirmed in verse 16, when he orders the execution of all male children “two years old and under, according to the time which he had carefully determined by the magi.”

the time
The phrase “the time” reflects a simple translation of the Greek phrase τὸν χρόνον (ton chronon). While the context might imply that Herod determined “the exact time,” the notion of exactness is not in the phrase itself.

search carefully
King Herod “carefully determined” when the star appeared in the previous verse. The Greek verb used there was ἀκριβόω (akriboō). Here, Herod instructs the Magi to search “carefully” (ἀκριβῶς; akribōs), using a cognate term. The same Greek root is repeated here to further highlight Herod’s intense desire to locate this perceived threat to his own position of authority (cf. v. 16).

was going on before them
The English phrase “was going on before them” reflects the imperfect tense of the Greek verb προῆγεν (proēgen), which portrays the action as something in progress.

saying
The term “saying” translates the Greek participle λέγων (legōn). Since the participle modifies the primary verb, “appeared,” the translation “saying” reflects the Greek sentence structure better than “and said.” This translation therefore demonstrates how the angel’s message is treated as a feature or subset of the angel’s appearance.

departed
The Greek word ἀναχωρέω (anachōreō) occurs three times in this context, in verses 12, 13, and here. The consistent translation “departed” helps the reader to see the parallel between the Magi departing to avoid Herod, and Joseph departing with his family to Egypt for the same reasons.

saying
The word “saying” is included here because it appears in the Greek text (λέγοντος; legontos). It is regularly used in Matthew as an introductory formula for Old Testament citations (cf. 1:22, 2:17; 3:3; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 21:4; 27:9).

carefully determined
For the third time in this chapter, Matthew points out Herod’s care in precisely locating the Child. He “carefully determined” (v. 7, ἀκριβόω; akriboō) the time the star appeared, he instructed the Magi to “search carefully” (v. 8, ἐξετάσατε ἀκριβῶς; exetasate akribōs), and here Matthew repeats that he had “carefully determined” (ἀκριβόω; akriboō) the time of the Child’s birth. Matthew is again drawing attention to Herod’s meticulous intent to locate Christ in order to kill Him. This also demonstrates that Herod clearly understood that the time of the star’s appearance (v. 7) signified the time of the Child’s birth (v. 16).

saying
Refer to the discussion on verse 15 above.

was refusing
The phrase “was refusing” translates the Greek οὐκ ἤθελεν (ouk ēthelen), which appears in the imperfect tense. Since the imperfect tense portrays an action that is ongoing or in progress, the translation “was refusing” communicates the idea that this refusal was occurring over a period of time, as opposed to one that took place in a momentary instance.

saying
Refer to the discussion on verse 13 above.

departed
The consistent translation of ἀναχωρέω (anachōreō) as “departed” in this section points to the fact that Joseph and the Magi are delivered the same way. For further analysis, refer to the discussion on verse 14 above.

lived
The verb “lived” (κατοικέω; katoikeō) is important here because the same word will be used again in 4:13. In both instances, it is used in order to demonstrate Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

“He shall be called a Nazarene”
This translation formats Old Testament quotations in the New Testament in caps. This text is formatted in lowercase font because this is not an exact quotation from the Old Testament. Rather, Matthew is employing a play on words, pulling various portions of Old Testament prophecy together. The word “Nazarene” sounds similar to the Hebrew word for “branch” (נֵצֶר; netser), which is one of the Messianic titles prophetically given to Jesus (e.g., Isa 11:1). Here, Matthew is affirming Jesus as this predicted “Branch” (נֵצֶר; netser), with His title as a “Nazarene” (Ναζωραῖος; Nazōraios) recalling His “roots”—His hometown of Nazareth.