Definition: And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 2:4. It’s a really important starting point in the story of Jesus' birth! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Jesus was asking the Jewish religious leaders why he would be born in Bethlehem instead of somewhere else. Let's unpack that a little further: “Matthew 2:4”: This is the exact wording of the verse. It’s from the Gospel of Matthew, which is one of the four Gospels in the New Testament Bible. “He gathered all the chief priests and scribes…” – This refers to a group of religious leaders who were very important in Jewish society at the time. Think of them as the main figures in the religious community. “…together…” - This means they were all meeting together, likely for a discussion. “he demanded of them…” – This is key! Jesus was asking them specifically what he would be born to. He wasn’t just curious; he wanted to know the reason behind his birth. So, what did they say? The verse tells us that these leaders were concerned about the significance of Jesus' birth. They likely believed it held a special meaning, perhaps related to God’s plan or destiny. Why is this important? This question highlights a few things: It shows Jesus was already planning to come. The fact that he was asking these questions suggests he had something important in mind. It sets the stage for the story of the census. The census is a record of who lived in each Jewish town and region, and it’s believed this question might be connected to the location Jesus would be born in. In short, Matthew 2:4 asks why Jesus was born in Bethlehem – and that's the beginning of a significant story about faith, destiny, and God’s plan. --- Do you want me to explain why this verse is significant? Would you like me to delve into some of the context surrounding it?