2:4a
Verse 2:4 is the result of Herod being disturbed (in 2:3b). Herod was disturbed (2:3b), so he called together some men and asked them where the Christ would be born (2:4). In some languages, it may be natural to introduce this result with a connecting word or phrase. For example:
So (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
Therefore
he had assembled: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as assembled means “brought/gathered(people) together.”
Here are some other ways to translate this verb:
called together (New International Version)
-or-
summoned
-or-
told to come to him
all the chief priests and scribes of the people: In this clause, the word all goes with both chief priests and scribes. The phrase of the people also goes with both chief priests and scribes.
chief priests: The Jewish priests were men who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. They also performed other rituals for them. The phrase chief priests refers to the leaders among these priests.
Here are some other ways to translate chief priests:
• Use a descriptive term that focuses on the function of a priest. For example:
the leaders of the sacrificers
-or-
the elders among the men who offer sacrifices to God
-or-
the leaders of those who represent people to God
• Use a local word for priest. This option may be acceptable if the duties of a local priest are similar to those of a Jewish priest. You may need to indicate that the word refers to a Jewish priest. For example:
Jewish people’s leading priests/sacrificers
See also priest in the Glossary.
scribes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scribes refers to men who studied, interpreted, and taught the law of Moses. These men were called scribes because their original work was to copy the laws of Moses by hand. In New Testament times, this was no longer their main task.
Here are some other ways to translate this term:
teachers of the Law of Moses (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
teachers of religious law (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
teachers of the law (New International Version)
-or-
experts in the law
See scribe in the Glossary.
of the people: In this context, the word people refers to the Jews. For example:
of the Jews (Revised English Bible)
In some languages, the phrase of the people is not necessary or natural here. If that is true in your language, you do not have to translate these words. For example:
Herod called a meeting of all the leading priests and teachers of the law (New Century Version)
2:4b
he asked them where the Christ was to be born: This sentence indicates that Herod asked the chief priests and scribes a question. He wanted to know in what town or what place the Christ would be born.
Here are some other ways to translate this sentence:
• As a direct question. For example:
and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?” (Good News Translation)
• As an indirect question. For example:
he asked them where the Christ was to be born. (NET Bible)
Christ: Here the word Christ is a descriptive title. The word Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” “Messiah” refers to the person whom God had appointed and promised to send as king and savior. The words Christ and Messiah have the same meaning.
Translate this word as you did in 1:1a. See also Christ in the Glossary.
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