Matthew 2:17

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Matthew 2:17 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then the word of Jeremiah the prophet came true,

Free Bible Version FBV

In this way Jeremiah's prophecy was fulfilled:

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then was that fulfilled which is spoken by the Prophet Ieremias, saying,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

World English Bible WEB

Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying:

Translation for Translators T4T

Because Bethlehem and Ramah towns were in the area where the descendants of Jacob’s wife Rachel lived, when soldiers killed the infant boys, they fulfilled what Jeremiah the prophet wrote,

Plain English Version PEV

That all happened the way God’s man, Jeremiah, wrote in God’s book, a long time ago. This is what he wrote,

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 2:17

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

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Matthew 2:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK τοτε επληρωθη το ρηθεν υπο ιερεμιου του προφητου λεγοντος

τοτε tote G5119 then Adv

επληρωθη plēroō G4137 to fulfill Verb-API-3S

το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSN

ρηθεν erō G2046 to say Verb-APP-NSN

υπο hupo G5259 by/under: by Prep

ιερεμιου Hieremias G2408 Jeremiah Noun-GSM

του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSM

προφητου prophētēs G4396 prophet Noun-GSM

λεγοντος legō G3004 to say Verb-PAP-GSM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 2:17

τοτε tote G5119 "then" Adv

The Greek word for then, used to describe a specific point in time, as seen in Matthew 2:17 and Galatians 4:8. It can refer to concurrent or consequent events, and is often used to introduce a new action or event.

Definition: τότε, demonstr. adv. of time, correlat. of ὅτε, then, at that time; __(a) of concurrent events: Mat.2:17 3:5 and freq., Rom.6:21; before ptcp., Mat.2:16, Gal.4:8; opposite to νῦν, Gal.4:29, Heb.12:26; ὁ τ. κόσμος, 2Pe.3:6; __(b) of consequent events, then, thereupon: Mat.2:7 3:5 4:1 and freq., Luk.11:26; τ. οὖν, Jhn.11:14 19:1, 16 20:8; εὐθέως τ., Act.17:14; ὅτε . . . τ., Mat.13:26 21:1, Jhn.12:16; ἀπὸ τ., Mat.4:17 16:21 26:16, Luk.16:16; __(with) of things future: Mat.24:28, 40 25:1, 31ff.; opposite to ἄρτι, 1Co.13:12; καὶ τ., Mat.7:23, Mrk.13:21, Luk.21:27, 1Co.4:5, al.; ὅταν . . . τ., Mat.9:15, Mrk.2:20, Luk.5:35, 1Th.5:3, al. (more frequently in Mt than in the rest of the NT). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 156 NT verses. KJV: that time, then See also: 1 Corinthians 4:5; Matthew 7:5; Hebrews 10:7.

επληρωθη plēroō G4137 "to fulfill" Verb-API-3S

This verb means to fulfill or make something complete, like filling a net or satisfying a need, as in Matthew 13:48 and Philippians 4:19, where it talks about filling every need.

Definition: πληρόω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for מָלֵא ;] __1. to fill, make full, fill to the full, with accusative; __(a) of things : pass. (σαψήνη, φάραγξ), Mat.13:48, Luk.3:5" (LXX) ; figuratively, Mat.23:32; but chiefly of immaterial things: πᾶσαν χρείαν, Php.4:19; ἦχος ἐλήρωσε τ. οἶκον, Act.2:2; with genitive of thing(s) (cl.), Act.5:28; pass., before ἐκ, Jhn.12:3 (cf. B1., § 36, 4); π. τ. καρδίαν, Jhn.16:6, Act.5:3; metaphorically, of the all-pervading activity of Christ, Eph.4:10; mid., Eph.1:23; __(b) of persons: to fill with, cause to abound in : with genitive of thing(s) (cl.), Act.2:28 (LXX), Rom.15:13; pass., to be filled with, abound in: Eph.3:19, Php.4:18; with genitive of thing(s) (cl.), Act.13:52, Rom.15:14, 2Ti.1:4; with dative (Æsch., al.), Luk.2:40 (with genitive, T), Rom.1:29, 2Co.7:4; with accusative (so in π., see MM, xx), Php.1:11, Col.1:9; before ἐν, Eph.5:18, Col.2:10. __2. to complete; __(a) to complete, fulfil: of number, Rev.6:11, WH, tat.; of time (MM, xx), Mrk.1:15, Luk.21:24, Jhn.7:8, Act.7:23, 30 9:23 24:27; ἐυδοκίαν, 2Th.1:11; τ. χαράν, Php.2:2; pass., Jhn.3:29 15:11 16:24 17:13, 1Jn.1:4, 2Jn.12; τ. ἔργα, Rev.3:2; ἡ ὑπακυή, 2Co.10:6; τ. πάσχα, Luk.22:16; __(b) to execute, accomplish, carry out to the full: Mat.3:15, Luk.7:1 9:31, Act.12:25 13:25 14:26 19:21, Rom.8:4 13:8 15:19, Gal.5:14, Col.1:25 4:17, Rev.6:11, T, WH, R, mg.; __(with) of sayings, prophecies, etc., to bring to pass, fulfil: Mat.1:22 2:15, 17 2:23 4:14 5:17 8:17 12:17 13:35 21:4 26:54, 56 27:9, Mrk.14:49 15:28 (WH, R, txt. om.), Luk.1:20 4:21 24:44, Jhn.12:38 13:18 15:25 17:12 18:9, 32 19:24, 36, Act.1:16 3:18 13:27, Jas.2:23 (cf. Lft., Col., 255 ff.).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 88 NT verses. KJV: accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply See also: 1 John 1:4; John 18:9; James 2:23.

το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ρηθεν erō G2046 "to say" Verb-APP-NSN

To say or speak, like in Matthew 9:34 or John 1:29. This word is an alternate way of saying 'to utter' or 'to speak' in certain situations.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 95 NT verses. KJV: call, say, speak (of), tell See also: 1 Corinthians 14:16; Matthew 1:22; Hebrews 1:13.

υπο hupo G5259 "by/under: by" Prep

Under or by something, like under a person's authority, as in Matthew 8:9, or under a place, as in Luke 7:8.

Definition: ὑπό (before smooth breathing ὑπ᾽, Mat.8:9b, Luk.7:8b; before rough breathing ὑφ᾽, Rom.3:9; on the neglect of elision in Mt, Lk, ll. witha, Gal.3:22, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., iv), prep. with genitive, dative (not in NT), accusative __I. C. genitive, primarily of place, under, hence, metaphorically, of the efficient cause, by: after passive verbs, with genitive of person(s), Mat.1:22, Mrk.1:5, Luk.2:18, Jhn.14:21, Act.4:11, 1Co.1:11, Heb.3:4, al.; with genitive of thing(s), Mat.8:24, Luk.7:24, Rom.3:21, al.; with neut. verbs and verbs with pass, meaning, Mat.17:12, Mrk.5:26, 1Co.10:9, 10 1Th.2:14, al. __II. C. accusative, under; __1. of motion: Mat.5:15 8:8, Mrk.4:21, Luk.13:34; hence, metaphorically, of subjection, Rom.7:14, 1Co.15:27, Gal.3:22, 1Pe.5:6, al. __2. Of position: Jhn.1:49, Act.4:12, Rom.3:13, 1Co.10:1, al.; hence, metaphorically, under, subject to, Mat.8:9, Rom.3:9, 1Co.9:20, Gal.4:5, al. __3. Of time, about: Act.5:21. __III. In composition: under (ὑποδέω), hence, of subjection (ὑποτάσσω), compliance (ὑπακούω), secrecy (ὑποβάλλω), diminution (ὑποπνέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 209 NT verses. KJV: among, by, from, in, of, under, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:11; Hebrews 2:3; 1 Peter 2:4.

ιερεμιου Hieremias G2408 "Jeremiah" Noun-GSM

Jeremiah was a prophet in the Bible, mentioned in Matthew 2:17 and 27:9. He was an Israelite who spoke for God. Jeremiah's words are still remembered today.

Definition: Ἰερεμίας (T, Rec. Ἱερ-; see WH, § 408), -ου, ὁ Heb. Jeremiah the prophet: Mat.2:17 16:14 27:9 (a ref. to Zec.11:13).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: Jeremiah See also: Matthew 2:17; Matthew 16:14; Matthew 27:9.

του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

προφητου prophētēs G4396 "prophet" Noun-GSM

A prophet is someone who acts as an interpreter of God's will, as seen in Matthew 5:12 and Romans 11:3. They speak forth God's message to others.

Definition: προφήτης, -ου, ὁ [πρόφημι, to speak forth), [in LXX chiefly for נָבִיא ;] one who acts as an interpreter or forth-teller of the Divine will (see Lft., Notes, 83f.; Tr., Syn., §vi), a prophet; __1. in cl. (Æsch., Hdt., Plat., al.), of the interpreters of oracles. __2. In NT, __(a) of the OT prophets: Mat.5:12, Mrk.6:15, Luk.4:27, Jhn.8:52, Rom.11:3, al.; __(b) of prophets in general: Mat.10:41 13:57 21:46, Mrk.6:4, Luk.13:33, al.; __(with) of John the Baptist: Mat.21:26, Mrk.6:15, Luk.1:76; __(d) of Christ: Mat.21:11, Jhn.6:14, Act.3:22, 23 7:37" (LXX) ; __(e) of Christian prophets in the apostolic age: Act.15:32, 1Co.12:28, Eph.2:20, al.; __(f) by meton., of the writings of prophets: Luk.24:27, Act.8:28, al.; __(g) of a poet: Tit.1:12 (on the use of the term in π. and Inscr., see Deiss., BS, 235f.; MM, xxii). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 142 NT verses. KJV: prophet See also: 1 Corinthians 12:28; Luke 9:19; 1 Peter 1:10.

λεγοντος legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAP-GSM

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

Study Notes — Matthew 2:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Matthew 2:17 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 2:17
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 2:17
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 2:17
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 2:17
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 2:17
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 2:17
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 2:17

Context — Weeping and Great Mourning

15where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” 16When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.

17Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” 19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.

Matthew 2:17 Summary

This verse tells us that a prophecy from the book of Jeremiah was fulfilled when Herod had all the baby boys in Bethlehem killed. This prophecy, found in Jeremiah 31:15, speaks of the mourning and sorrow that would occur as a result of this event. In simple terms, it means that God's Word came true, and it highlights the contrast between the evil actions of Herod and the loving plans of God (as seen in Matthew 1:22-23). It reminds us that God is in control, even when bad things happen, and that He is working to fulfill His plans and promises (as seen in Isaiah 55:11).

Frequently Asked Questions

What prophecy is being referenced in Matthew 2:17?

The prophecy being referenced is from the book of Jeremiah, specifically Jeremiah 31:15, which speaks of the mourning of Rachel over the loss of her children, as seen in the massacre of the innocent boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity, fulfilling what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah.

Why is Jeremiah's prophecy significant in this context?

Jeremiah's prophecy is significant because it highlights the sorrow and mourning that occurred as a result of Herod's actions, and it also points to the larger theme of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of Scripture, as seen in Matthew 2:15 and other verses.

How does this verse relate to the overall narrative of Jesus' birth?

This verse serves as a reminder of the opposition and danger that Jesus faced from the very beginning of His life, and it underscores the idea that God is actively working to fulfill His plans and prophecies, as seen in Matthew 1:22-23 and other verses.

What can we learn from the fulfillment of this prophecy?

We can learn that God's Word is trustworthy and that He is faithful to fulfill His promises, even in the midst of difficult and trying circumstances, as seen in Isaiah 55:11 and other verses.

Reflection Questions

How does the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy in this verse impact my understanding of God's sovereignty and control over human events?
What emotions and thoughts come to mind when I consider the mourning and sorrow that occurred as a result of Herod's actions, and how can I apply this to my own life?
In what ways can I see God working to fulfill His plans and prophecies in my own life, even in the midst of challenging circumstances?
How can I trust in God's faithfulness and sovereignty, especially when faced with difficult and trying situations, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and other verses?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 2:17

Ver. 17, 18. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken,.... By the slaughter of the infants at Bethlehem was literally accomplished what had been predicted by Jeremy the prophet, in Jeremiah 31:15.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 2:17

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying (Jeremiah 31:15 - from which the quotation differs but verbally).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 2:17

See Poole on "".

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 2:17

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, Ver. 17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken] Fulfilling of prophecies is a convincing argument of the divinity of the Scriptures. Moses had foretold that God should dwell between Benjamin’ s shoulders, Deuteronomy 33:12. This was fulfilled 440 years after, when the temple was set up in the tribe of Benjamin: so the prophecies of the coming of Christ and of Antichrist, and others in the Revelation, which we see daily accomplished.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 2:17

17. Then was fulfilled] This turn of expression may be regarded as identical with the more usual “that it might be fulfilled.” by] See note Matthew 2:5.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 2:17

Then was fulfilled - The word “fulfilled,” here. is used evidently in the sense that the words in Jeremiah aptly express the event which Matthew was recording. Compare the notes at Matthew 1:22.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 2:17

§ 13. — OF THE , AND RETURN FROM EGYPT, 16-23.16. Mocked — Slighted and deceived. Wroth — Angry.