Matthew 2 Comparison: American Standard Version vs Darby Translation
Matthew 2
1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
2Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3And when Herod the king heard it, 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 should be born.
5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written through the prophet,
6And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: For out of thee shall come forth a governor, Who shall be shepherd of my people Israel.
7Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared.
8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him.
9And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into 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 did I call my son.
16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men.
17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
18A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she would not be comforted, because they are not.
19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
20Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child’s life.
21And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee,
23and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.
Matthew 2
1Now Jesus having been born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king, behold magi from the east arrived at Jerusalem, saying,
2Where is the king of the Jews that has been born? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to do him homage.
3But Herod the king having heard [of it], was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
4and, assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.
5And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus it is written through the prophet:
6And thou Bethlehem, land of Juda, art in no wise the least among the governors of Juda; for out of thee shall go forth a leader who shall shepherd my people Israel.
7Then Herod, having secretly called the magi, inquired of them accurately the time of the star that was appearing;
8and having sent them to Bethlehem, said, Go, search out accurately concerning the child, and when ye shall have found [him] bring me back word, so that I also may come and do him homage.
9And they having heard the king went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went before them until it came and stood over the place where the little child was.
10And when they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11And having come into the house they saw the little child with Mary his mother, and falling down did him homage. And having opened their treasures, they offered to him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12And being divinely instructed in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13Now, they having departed, behold, an angel of [the] Lord appears in a dream to Joseph, saying, Arise, take to [thee] the little child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there until I shall tell thee; for Herod will seek the little child to destroy it.
14And, having arisen, he took to [him] the little child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.
15And he was there until the death of Herod, that that might be fulfilled which was spoken by [the] Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16Then Herod, seeing that he had been mocked by the magi, was greatly enraged; and sent and slew all the boys which [were] in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years and under, according to the time which he had accurately inquired from the magi.
17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremias the prophet, saying,
18A voice has been heard in Rama, weeping, and great lamentation: Rachel weeping [for] her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
19But Herod having died, behold, an angel of [the] Lord appears in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
20Arise, take to [thee] the little child and its mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they who sought the life of the little child are dead.
21And he arose and took to [him] the little child and its mother, and came into the land of Israel;
22but having heard that 'Archelaus reigns over Judaea, instead of Herod his father,' he was afraid to go there; and having been divinely instructed in a dream, he went away into the parts of Galilee,
23and came and dwelt in a town called Nazareth; so that that should be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, He shall be called a Nazaraene.
Understanding American Standard Version vs Darby Translation in Matthew 2
American Standard Version (ASV)
A highly literal translation known for accuracy and adherence to the original Hebrew and Greek. Consistent word choices make it excellent for careful study and cross-referencing. A strong pick for readers who want a precise, classic-modern English Bible.
Darby Translation (Darby)
A scholarly translation by John Nelson Darby emphasizing precision and consistency. Especially valued for study and cross-reference work. A classic choice for readers who prioritize accuracy over smooth modern style.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Matthew 2 in the American Standard Version and Darby Translation. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Matthew 2:16
"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men."
"Then Herod, seeing that he had been mocked by the magi, was greatly enraged; and sent and slew all the boys which [were] in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years and under, according to the time which he had accurately inquired from the magi."
