Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐλθόντες
when they were come
G2064
ἐλθόντες
when they were come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 30
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 30
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίαν
the house
G3614
οἰκίαν
the house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
5 of 30
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδίον
the young child
G3813
παιδίον
the young child
Strong's:
G3813
Word #:
8 of 30
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
9 of 30
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
Μαρίας
Mary
G3137
Μαρίας
Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
10 of 30
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μητρὸς
mother
G3384
μητρὸς
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
12 of 30
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσεκύνησαν
and worshipped
G4352
προσεκύνησαν
and worshipped
Strong's:
G4352
Word #:
16 of 30
to fawn or crouch to, i.e., (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀνοίξαντες
when they had opened
G455
ἀνοίξαντες
when they had opened
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
19 of 30
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θησαυροὺς
treasures
G2344
θησαυροὺς
treasures
Strong's:
G2344
Word #:
21 of 30
a deposit, i.e., wealth (literally or figuratively)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
προσήνεγκαν
they presented
G4374
προσήνεγκαν
they presented
Strong's:
G4374
Word #:
23 of 30
to bear towards, i.e., lead to, tender (especially to god), treat
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
χρυσὸν
gold
G5557
χρυσὸν
gold
Strong's:
G5557
Word #:
26 of 30
gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
27 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λίβανον
frankincense
G3030
λίβανον
frankincense
Strong's:
G3030
Word #:
28 of 30
the incense-tree, i.e., (by implication) incense itself
Cross References
Isaiah 60:6The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.Psalms 72:10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.Matthew 2:2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.Luke 2:16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.Psalms 95:6O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.Psalms 72:15And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.1 Kings 10:2And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.Numbers 7:14One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense:Revelation 19:10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.Matthew 14:33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Historical Context
The Magi entered 'the house' (not stable), suggesting months had passed. Ancient Near Eastern protocol required bringing gifts when approaching royalty. The gifts were extraordinarily valuable—perhaps equivalent to years of wages.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the most valuable gift you can offer Jesus in worship?
- How do the Magi's gifts prophetically reveal Jesus' identity and mission?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Finding 'the young child with Mary his mother' emphasizes Jesus' humanity while the Magi's falling down to 'worship' acknowledges His deity. The gifts are symbolic: gold for royalty, frankincense for divinity (used in temple worship), and myrrh for His death (used in burial). These expensive gifts likely funded the family's flight to Egypt and return.