Veritable King James Version
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
2saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
7Then Herod secretly called the wise men and determined from them what time the star appeared.
8And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
9When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the east went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.
10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
11And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
14When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,
15and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
16Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.
17Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
18“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
19Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.”
21Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee.
23And 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.” Matthew Chapter 3 The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 3 – VKJV
Translation notes
– Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ γεννηθέντος (Tou de Iēsou gennēthentos): “Now after Jesus was born,” with δέ (de) as a transitional particle; genitive absolute construction linking to Chapter 1’s birth narrative. Translated for smooth narrative flow, echoing KJV’s “Now when Jesus was born” but modernized. Theologically, establishes post-birth timeline, emphasizing fulfillment of messianic prophecies. Cross-reference: Luke 2:1-7 (birth in Bethlehem). – μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν (magoi apo anatolōn): “Wise men from the east.” Μάγοι (magoi) literally “magi” or “astrologers/wise men”; retained “wise men” to preserve KJV flavor while avoiding archaic tone. Grammatically, nominative plural subject. Theologically, represents Gentile inclusion in salvation history, foreshadowing global mission (Matthew 28:19). Alternative: “magi” for precision, highlighting Persian or Babylonian origins. Cross-reference: Daniel 2:2 (similar term for court advisors). – Ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ τεχθεὶς βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων (Pou estin ho techtheis basileus tōn Ioudaiōn): “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” Aorist passive participle τεχθείς (techtheis) emphasizes completed birth. Capitalized “He,” “His,” “King” as messianic titles. Theologically, contrasts earthly kingship (Herod) with divine (Jesus as Messiah). Cross-reference: Psalm 2:6 (king installed by God).
– ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἡρῴδης ἐταράχθη (akousas de ho basileus Hērōdēs etarachthē): “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled.” Aorist participle ἀκούσας (akousas) for antecedent action; passive ἐταράχθη (etarachthē) conveys inner turmoil. Modernized from KJV “was troubled” for readability. Theologically, highlights threat to human power from divine kingship. Cross-reference: John 11:48 (leaders fearing loss of place). – συναγαγὼν πάντας τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς (synagagōn pantas tous archiereis kai grammateis): “Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes.” Aorist participle for action; “chief priests” plural reflects temple hierarchy, “scribes” as Torah experts. Grammatically, accusative direct objects. Theologically, ironic: religious leaders know Scripture but miss its fulfillment. Alternative: “assembling” for συναγαγὼν. Cross-reference: Malachi 2:7 (priests as knowledge keepers). – οὕτως γὰρ γέγραπται διὰ τοῦ προφήτου (houtōs gar gegraptai dia tou prophētou): “For thus it is written by the prophet.” Perfect passive γέγραπται (gegraptai) emphasizes enduring Scripture. Quote from Micah 5:2 (LXX variant), adapted with 2 Samuel 5:2 influence for “shepherd.” Capitalized “Ruler,” “My” as divine. Theologically, Matthew’s fulfillment motif (cf. 1:22). Cross-reference: Micah 5:2; John 7:42 (Messiah from Bethlehem).
– Ἡρῴδης λάθρᾳ καλέσας τοὺς μάγους (Hērōdēs lathra kalesas tous magous): “Herod secretly called the wise men.” Adverb λάθρᾳ (lathra) implies deception; aorist participle καλέσας (kalesas). Modernized “secretly” from KJV. Theologically, reveals Herod’s cunning, contrasting divine revelation. Cross-reference: Exodus 1:16 (Pharaoh’s plot against infants). – ἠκρίβωσεν παρ᾽ αὐτῶν τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος (ēkribōsen par’ autōn ton chronon tou phainomenou asteros): “Determined from them what time the star appeared.” Aorist ἠκρίβωσεν (ēkribōsen) for precise inquiry; present participle φαινομένου (phainomenou) ongoing appearance. “Star” (ἀστέρος, asteros) may symbolize divine guidance. Alternative: “ascertained exactly” for ἠκρίβωσεν. Theologically, sets up massacre timeline. Cross-reference: Numbers 24:17 (star from Jacob prophecy). – πορευθέντες ἐξετάσατε ἀκριβῶς περὶ τοῦ παιδίου (poreuthentes exetasate akribōs peri tou paidiou): “Go and search carefully for the young Child.” Aorist imperative ἐξετάσατε (exetasate); παιδίου (paidiou) “child,” not infant, suggesting age. Capitalized “Him” for Jesus. Theologically, Herod’s hypocrisy (worship vs. intent to kill). Cross-reference: Psalm 2:2 (kings against the Anointed).
– ὁ ἀστὴρ ὃν εἶδον ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ προῆγεν αὐτοὺς (ho astēr hon eidon en tē anatolē proēgen autous): “The star which they had seen in the east went before them.” Imperfect προῆγεν (proēgen) for ongoing guidance; aorist ἐστάθη (estathē) for halting. Theologically, divine providence leading Gentiles to Christ. Cross-reference: Exodus 13:21 (pillar guiding Israel). – ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα (echarēsan charan megalēn sphodra): “They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” Aorist passive ἐχάρησαν (echarēsan); intensive σφόδρα (sphodra). Modernized for emphasis without repetition. Theologically, joy of encountering the Messiah. Alternative: “were overjoyed.” Cross-reference: Luke 2:10 (great joy announced). – εἶδον τὸ παιδίον μετὰ Μαρίας τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ (eidon to paidion meta Marias tēs mētros autou): “They saw the young Child with Mary His mother.” Aorist εἶδον (eidon); “house” (οἰκίαν, oikian) vs. manger, suggesting time passed. Capitalized “Him,” “His.” Gifts symbolize kingship (gold), deity (frankincense), death (myrrh). Theologically, worship by Gentiles fulfills Isaiah 60:3. Cross-reference: Isaiah 60:6 (gifts from east). – χρηματισθέντες κατ᾽ ὄναρ (chrēmatisthentes kat’ onar): “Being divinely warned in a dream.” Aorist passive participle; divine passive implying God. Theologically, God’s protection of the Messiah. Alternative: “warned by God.” Cross-reference: Matthew 1:20 (angel in dream to Joseph).
– ἄγγελος κυρίου φαίνεται κατ᾽ ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ (angelos kyriou phainetai kat’ onar tō Iōsēph): “An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.” Present φαίνεται (phainetai) for vividness; recurring dream motif. Theologically, divine guidance protecting the holy family. Cross-reference: Matthew 1:20 (similar angelic dream). – Ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ (Egeritheis paralabe to paidion kai tēn mētera autou): “Arise, take the young Child and His mother.” Aorist imperative ἐγερθείς (egeritheis); repeated phrase emphasizes priority (child first). Capitalized “Him,” “His,” “My,” “Son” as deity. Theologically, echoes Israel’s exodus, Jesus as new Moses. Cross-reference: Hosea 11:1 (quote source, applied to Messiah). – ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου (hina plērōthē to rhēthen hypo kyriou dia tou prophētou): “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet.” Aorist passive subjunctive πληρωθῇ (plērōthē); Matthew’s formula. Theologically, typological fulfillment: Israel as son (Exodus 4:22) prefigures Jesus. Alternative: “to fulfill what the Lord had said.” Cross-reference: Numbers 23:19 (God speaks and fulfills).
– ἰδὼν ὅτι ἐνεπαίχθη ὑπὸ τῶν μάγων ἐθυμώθη λίαν (idōn hoti enepaichthē hypo tōn magōn ethymōthē lian): “When he saw that he was deceived… was exceedingly angry.” Aorist participle ἰδὼν (idōn); passive ἐνεπαίχθη (enepaichthē) “mocked/deceived.” Modernized “exceedingly angry” from KJV “wroth.” Theologically, innocent suffering foreshadows cross. Cross-reference: Exodus 1:22 (Pharaoh kills males). – ἀνεῖλεν πάντας τοὺς παῖδας (aneilen pantas tous paidas): “Put to death all the male children.” Aorist ἀνεῖλεν (aneilen) “slew/killed”; παῖδας (paidas) “boys,” contextually males. “From two years old and under” reflects time frame. Grammatically, accusative plural. Theologically, highlights evil opposing God’s plan. Alternative: “slaughtered” for intensity. Cross-reference: Revelation 12:4 (dragon devours child). – Φωνὴ ἐν Ῥαμὰ ἠκούσθη (Phōnē en Rhama ēkousthē): “A voice was heard in Ramah.” Aorist passive ἠκούσθη (ēkousthē); quote from Jeremiah 31:15 (LXX). Theologically, typological: Rachel’s tomb near Bethlehem, mourning exile now innocents. Cross-reference: Jeremiah 31:15-17 (comfort follows).
– ἄγγελος κυρίου φαίνεται κατ᾽ ὄναρ (angelos kyriou phainetai kat’ onar): “An angel of the Lord appeared in a dream.” Present φαίνεται (phainetai) again; parallels v.13. Theologically, continued divine direction. Cross-reference: Acts 7:30 (angel appearances). – τεθνήκασιν γὰρ οἱ ζητοῦντες τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ παιδίου (tethnēkasin gar hoi zētountes tēn psychēn tou paidiou): “For those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Perfect τεθνήκασιν (tethnēkasin) for completed state. Plural “those” may include Herod’s allies. Capitalized “His.” Theologically, God’s sovereignty over tyrants. Cross-reference: Exodus 4:19 (similar to Moses). – χρηματισθεὶς δὲ κατ᾽ ὄναρ (chrēmatistheis de kat’ onar): “Being warned by God in a dream.” Aorist passive participle; divine passive. Theologically, guidance to Nazareth fulfills prophecy. Cross-reference: Judges 13:5 (Nazarite, possible wordplay with Nazarene). – ὅπως πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν (hopōs plērōthē to rhēthen dia tōn prophētōn): “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets.” Plural prophets suggests composite (e.g., Isaiah 11:1 “branch” netzer play on Nazarene). Theologically, Jesus as despised (Isaiah 53:3). Alternative: “so that what was said through the prophets might be fulfilled.” Cross-reference: John 1:46 (Nazareth skepticism).
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