Mat 2:1 | HCSB | STEP | After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod , wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem ,

Matthew 2:1

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King ^{▼▼Herod/Herodians: The name of the Idumean family ruling Palestine from 37 b.c. to a.d. 95; the main rulers from this family mentioned in the NT are: Herod Antipas(4 b.c.-a.d. 39) son of Herod the Great; ruled one-fourth of his father's kingdom (Galilee and Perea); killed John the Baptist and mocked Jesus; Herod I (37 b.c.-4 b.c.) also known as Herod the Great; built the great temple in Jerusalem and massacred the male babies in Bethlehem; Herod Agrippa I (A.D. 3744) The grandson of Herod the Great; he beheaded James the apostle and imprisoned Peter; Herod Agrippa II (A.D. 52ca 95) The great-grandson of Herod the Great; he heard Paul's defense. Herodians were political supporters of Herod the Great and his family}Herod, ^{▼▼wise men: The Greek word is magoi; the English word "Magi" is based on a Persian word. They were eastern sages who observed the heavens for signs and omens.}wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, ^c